Central locking is dead

P

PboroRyan

Member
Hi all,
Essentially, i'm getting exactly the same problem as the OP in this thread (http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14382&p=213627&hilit=central+locking#p213627)
Car will lock itself fine, and when I go to unlock the car it beeps like normal, however neither of the doors unlock, nor does the storage compartment between the seats, or more worryingly, the fuel cap. So my passenger door doesn't open, or my fuel cap, or my storage compartment, and the only way I can get into the car is by opening the drivers door with the key.
Pretty much the same problem as in the above thread, only there was no explanations of how it could be fixed! Could anyone assist? Getting pretty annoyed with this car now, i've had it 4 months and it's had more problems than my last 2 cars in 3 years, and now it's not letting me get in or put petrol in!
 
Does the unlock button inside the car open the rest of the system?
 
pvr said:
Does the unlock button inside the car open the rest of the system?
Click to expand...

It doesn't seem to do anything unfortunately, i couldn't hear whether it was trying to move like something was sticky but nothing happened when I pressed it.
 
Ok - so that proves it is not the key having a remote control issue.

Does the passenger door open by pulling the handle from the inside?
 
I didn't think it was the key as it's doing what it should, the car is just not unlocking itself. If i try and open the passenger door from the inside, the lock knob (if that's what it's called) rises up from the door but then sinks back down into the door recess when I let go of the handle. I've tried grabbing it when it appears but it's impossible to keep it up, and will just spring back into the door when I let go.
 
I was looking on REALOEM but can not quickly locate the control module for that one, as it sounds that it might be that causing the issue as it is not activating the actuators.
 
Has it got progressively worse? And if so did you notice it acting up more when its hot?

My passengers door sometimes dose this. And from what i have found on the internet it suggests that its the gm5 module. Common fault on BMWs of this age. Might be worth googling it :thumbsup:
 
I think its behind the glove box with the fuses and stuff.
There are company's that will have a go at fixing your one.
 
It did it the other day, then worked fine 2 days ago then stopped working again yesterday and thus far hasn't came back to life. Would a fault like this throw up a fault code as I've got a reader. If not, would the GM5 module be plug and play or would it need programming into the car (more money i'm guessing)? Would it also be worth getting the door cards of and see if the actuators are sticking or if there's a problem with the door lock mechanisms?
Also, would the fact the petrol cap and internal storage compartment don't unlock suggests it's a control module problem or do these rely on the doors to be unlocked to open?
 
It's certainly looking like it's the GM5 module after more research. Can anyone point me towards a tutorial to repairing these or someone who could repair this module? For some reason, all the repair services online won't touch the GM5 star12 module which is what the Z4 has I believe. Help appreciated!
 
Mine was the same. Would always lock but had times when it refused to unlock (doors or fuel cap). Being in the car and pressing the central locking button had no effect.

Looking around showed it to be the GM5 module. Took it out Tuesday, posted it for repair and it was back today. Will put it back in tomorrow, but hopefully a relative easy and cheap one to fix.

Not all z4 have a gm5 star 12. Mine certainly wasn't (2004 3.0)

(Sent mine too these guys http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REPAIR-SERVICE-BMW-GM5-central-locking-relay-fault-Z8-X3-Z4-E46-E52-E83-E85-3-/111191303651?hash=item19e384a5e3:g:gXoAAOSwo6lWF6On)
 
J4YMO said:
Mine was the same. Would always lock but had times when it refused to unlock (doors or fuel cap). Being in the car and pressing the central locking button had no effect.

Looking around showed it to be the GM5 module. Took it out Tuesday, posted it for repair and it was back today. Will put it back in tomorrow, but hopefully a relative easy and cheap one to fix.

Not all z4 have a gm5 star 12. Mine certainly wasn't (2004 3.0)

(Sent mine too these guys http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REPAIR-SERVICE-BMW-GM5-central-locking-relay-fault-Z8-X3-Z4-E46-E52-E83-E85-3-/111191303651?hash=item19e384a5e3:g:gXoAAOSwo6lWF6On)
Click to expand...


Please let me know what happens with this.
 
I charged the battery up overnight and got rid of the white stuff off the terminals. The central locking issue remains. Feels like it must be the gm5 module. I've seen some on eBay for £20-30 though! Might be easier to just buy another one and swap it out.
 
pvr said:
Think srhutch replaced that one a while ago on this car.
Click to expand...

Thought I might have to, but been fine ever since. Mine faulted 3 years ago when we had bad snow. Car was in the garage but can only assume due to cold it played up.

I would certainly send mine off to be repaired though. These are multi layered boards and I remember somebody having trouble trying to do there own.
 
Anyone know how to get the gm5 out? I've got as far as the fuse box. Any one know where it's located and how to get to it?
 
Regarding the GM5 module, the failure is typically the 2 relays in it. You can buy them cheaply and if you are handy with a soldering iron, replace it easily on your own:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171664300122?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
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