Locks
How do you ensure the general riff-raff know that the E30 is an exclusive vehicle, only for the privileged? By locking them out, of course. Locks are also useful in preventing people stealing your ICE and Murray Mints.
Contents
Overview
Each E30 is fitted with a number of mechanical locks to secure the front doors and boot or tailgate. But the whole lock set will also include the ignition barrel, the glove box and the petrol cap, making six locks in all.
These locks are specific to the car; in the event of you losing your key, BMW can issue a replacement key if you provide them with your VIN number. It is also possible to "recode" door and glovebox locks by disassembling them and replacing their internal tumblers with a kit available from BMW. However, it is impossible to recode your ignition, boot or petrol cap locks. Learn more about recoding door locks.
Central Locking was a popular optional extra
Components
Door Locks
Boot
Ignition Barrel
Glove Box
Petrol Cap
Central Locking
One of the luxuries we take for granted with modern cars is not having to pull up the little plastic knob to unlock a door from the inside. E30s were no different, with central locking being a popular optional extra. Putting the key into either the driver, passenger or boot lock and unlocking should unlock all the other doors at the same time.
This is done with microswitches; little contacts that are closed when the lock barrel is turned. This sends a signal to the Central Locking module to power the actuators, which are little more than electric arms that push or pull that plastic knob up or down.
The central locking system also controls the petrol flap. If your locking system has failed, you can still unlock the flap manually from inside the boot.
Microswitches
Actuators
Central Locking Relay
Common Problems
Central Locking Not Working
The central locking system fitted to E30s is a relatively simple design, but decades of wear and tear takes its toll on the switches and actuators eventually. Couple that with corrosion of the wires and the occasional flooded relay, and the system becomes open to a whole host of issues. To get them dealt with, learn more about central locking problems.
