Central locking working, but doesn't open door

[wobblewoo]

Hello all.

I've an E30 320 convertible with factory fitted central locking (and alarm).

I brought the car a few months back and all was well but now the central lockings gone a bit odd.

When i press the button to lock the car, all is well and it locks. However when i press the button to open the car, the alarm beeps (and so turns off) but the doors remain locked. The boot opens but not the doors. I then have to use the key to open the drivers door (it seems stiff) by turning clockwise.

Any ideas what i should check?

[Brianmoooore]

What about the passenger door?
Does that unlock when you unlock the driver's door with the key?
What happens when you unlock the passenger door with the key?
If the driver's door and boot are still locked, what happens when you unlock the passenger door with the key?

[wobblewoo]

Hello and thanks for your replies.

So the central locking is working sporadically on the drivers side but unlocks the passenger side. Using the keys does the same thing.

Ive noticed that the door open pull on the inside of the drivers side is also a little stiff.

So im guessing the drivers side mechanism needs a little clean/oil.

Ive just taken the door card off but have no idea what I'm cleaning/oiling.

Can someone point me in the right direction please?

Thanks

Warren

[BenHar]

Reading this may help: http://www.billswebspace.com/BMWE30Door ... ebuild.htm

Ben

[polsta]

If I were you I'd take out the central locking Ecu (behind drivers side lower speaker grill) open it up and inspect it see if there's any signs of water or damp or any visual issues on the cucut board, and also clean out the sill drainage slits (water can be the nemesis of the central locking) , and oil/clean the lock mechanisms , and replace the drivers door solenoid (which sounds like its packed up)

Sometimes what can happen - sill drainage holes never get cleaned, they get clogged, water or going through a flooded road, water gets in, and it burns out the solenoids put in to constant use mode

[wobblewoo]

Morning all.

I'll get round to cleaning the cylinder and looking at the ecu.

In the meantime, when I pull catch to open the door from the inside, it stays in the pulled position so to speak and is kinda stiff. Would that be the cylinder too or something else that needs lubing?

If the ecu was faulty, surely the boot would stay shut too.

All worth a check though.

Thanks for your time.

W

[BenHar]

Clean up the whole locking and latching mechanism and lubricate it.

Ben