CAN'T GET INTO Z4...

T

Tatsumi

New member
Hello everyone, first of all, I really appreciate you to open and read this topic. I really need your brilliant knowledge of Z4s now.

[OVERVIEW]

Vehicle: 12.2003 Z4 3.0l (EUR)
Steering: LH
Gearbox: SMG
VIN: WBABT51020LR89***

Issue(s):
1. The passenger door lock would not unlock with a keyless remote
- can open from inner handle
- inside lock/unlock button also does NOT work

2. outer door handle on the driver side does not work properly; quite heavy.
- inner handle work perfectly
- sometime it does not work at all

[WHOLE STORY BEHIND THE ISSUES]

I and my partner bought used 2003 E85 a month ago from a reliable guy meet on the internet. Then he told us that the keyless remote is not working properly. When try to unlock the key with it, only the driver side would unlock, but the other side wouldn’t. Because of that, we had to open the door on the driver side first and then open the passenger side from the inside.

However, last week we found out that an outer handle on a driver side door doesn't work smoothly (I felt like it's heavier than usual) as the other side does. Because of that, we started to search the problem there on the internet, but yesterday morning, it finally stopped working. At that moment, because of the combination with issue-1, we had no way to open any doors (except for a boot door)

Fortunately, I kept trying to lock-unlock again and again, then somehow the passenger side door did unlock. In the end, we could enter into the car luckily, but we do not feel comfortable when close and lock the door again since it happened. At night on the same day, we went back to the car and tried to unlock the key, again, only the driver side did unlock. Most weirdly, then we could use the outer handle on the driver side (yet, it's still heavy-ish)

Have anyone been in the same situation in the past? What do you think is the solution for both issue 1 and 2? We guess that we need to replace front door lock bowden cable (#7 on a diagram 47_1477) to solve the issue-2. Do you think the same as we do? We definetly need your advice for now.

Anyway, no matter if you can or can not help us, we do THANK YOU so much for reading this quite long topic.

41_1477.png
 
OK - I'm no help with the door problems but if you hold the unlock button on the key fob (and keep it held) your car may well be coded so the windows drop and the roof lowers. Not a solution to the two issues that need fixing but at least it gets you in. My car does this function but I don't know if its something a previous owner has coded or if they do this direct from the factory.

How about posting some pics of your Zed while you wait for more answers.
 
then there is the key battery, if its died - it won't work, i did read somewhere bmw don't want you to replace the battery ( as a result its a pain i recall) and want you to buy a new key for 200 sovs..
strangely mine refuse to work yesterday, but i have put it down to the heat , it locked later in the day .. :cry:
 
A sad first post :(

As ph' says it does sound like the common GM5 problem, it's quite an easy fix if you take the module out and send it for repair which should be cheap (£35 UK), here are some instructions for your pre-facelift which differs slightly from later cars. Don't fit a used GM5 module unless you have access to coding kit as they are coded to individual cars.
https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=102586
 
Thank you for your kind replies. I wanted to write reply individuay, but I have no idea how.

Now I am working in my office, so once I come home tonight, I will definetly try the keyless remote stuff.

I also tought about a realy problem, but yesterday I kept pressing lock/unlock buttons mutually for 5-15 times, the right hand side door key which usualy does not work did unlock. That made me quite confused. Is that because relays has not been completly died and "zombied" then? or that means the issue is not a module? Anyway, I could not tell which module to look at, so thank you Mr ph001 to identify for us!

And, Thank you Mr road warrior, I did not know that the remote battely can not be replaced. Since the driver side lock is working properly with the remote, I think the battery is fine for now. I really hope the battery will not die for while... I can not afford no more repair parts.
 
As already said, the GM5 module relays should be replaced to start with.

The driver's door issue should either be the cable or the lock actuator assembly itself. In the UK a used lock actuator assembly can be bought for around £20. If you want/need to replace the Bowden cable as well, I can't imagine they're too expensive either.

If you're desperate, you should be able to open your roof by inserting the key blade into the exterior door lock, turning it to unlock the car and then holding it in the 'unlock' position. After 2 seconds or so the roof will begin to open. Keep the key in the 'unlock' position to fully open the roof.
 
Thank you!!
Is there any side effect if I open the roof by doing the key blade command? Eg. Can’t close until show the car to the shop. (Or something like that)
 
If all else is working, you will be able to close the roof again from the inside, then get out. :wink:

Welcome to the board. :) Hope you get it sorted soon.
 
Tatsumi said:
Thank you!!
Is there any side effect if I open the roof by doing the key blade command? Eg. Can’t close until show the car to the shop. (Or something like that)
Click to expand...
No, you can open and shut the roof by turning and holding the key clockwise and anticlockwise in the door lock :)
 
On the heavy door handle... With me it started out the same, after a while the bowden cable just snapped. Do you also have to lift it higher than you'd expect?
Be aware it's fiddly to replace, so do it before it gets cold outside ;)

If it's the bowden cable these two get you started:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techar...placement/56-BODY-Door_Handle_Replacement.htm

https://www.pelicanparts.com/techar...eplacement/55-BODY-Door_Latch_Replacement.htm

The only advice I can give is take your time and do not force anything, as it's really easy to damage the paint.
 
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