Hi guys, my 325 convertible has a second lock on the drivers door, i want to remove it but i've been told if its taken out then it will immobilse the car. I dont have a key for it and have never used. Does anyone know what it does and how its wired up?
Thanks.
Convertible Door lock/immobilser.
Moderator: martauto
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
I've heard of these, but never seen one.
However it works, E30 immobilisers are extremely easy to bypass. I think it connects to a relay box mounted above the engine ECU above the driver's knees.
The actual connection to the car to immobilise it is probably a white two pin socket with green wires hanging from the loom above the glovebox. The two wires to this socket need linking together. May be a plug for the purpose tied up to the loom nearby/
However it works, E30 immobilisers are extremely easy to bypass. I think it connects to a relay box mounted above the engine ECU above the driver's knees.
The actual connection to the car to immobilise it is probably a white two pin socket with green wires hanging from the loom above the glovebox. The two wires to this socket need linking together. May be a plug for the purpose tied up to the loom nearby/
The cabbies had these until about 1990/91. I had a 1989 with one.
You simply slid a "tubular" key into it which had a number of rings along its length and withdrew it to "arm" the demobiliser (ie de-activate the car) and the same again to disarm it. I seem to remember a red led in the rim of the lock glowed.
If you're not using it at present I'm sure it must be possible to take it off. Check the wires on the back and see if it's short or open circuit. for anything more complex check with Brian again. It may well have been bypassed already.
I hated it; always thought it messed up the look of the drivers door.
Andrew
You simply slid a "tubular" key into it which had a number of rings along its length and withdrew it to "arm" the demobiliser (ie de-activate the car) and the same again to disarm it. I seem to remember a red led in the rim of the lock glowed.
If you're not using it at present I'm sure it must be possible to take it off. Check the wires on the back and see if it's short or open circuit. for anything more complex check with Brian again. It may well have been bypassed already.
I hated it; always thought it messed up the look of the drivers door.
Andrew
- orangecurry
- E30 Zone Addict

- Posts: 2512
- Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: West Sussex
There is definately a relay box above the drivers knee. I have the magnetic key for mine, and it does function.Brianmoooore wrote:I've heard of these, but never seen one.
However it works, E30 immobilisers are extremely easy to bypass. I think it connects to a relay box mounted above the engine ECU above the driver's knees.
The actual connection to the car to immobilise it is probably a white two pin socket with green wires hanging from the loom above the glovebox. The two wires to this socket need linking together. May be a plug for the purpose tied up to the loom nearby/
LED under the rear reg-plate
I have the same unit fitted to mine, however, the LED on the boot seems to stay on at all times and the 'key' doesn't seem to do anything at all. You're right Andrew, it's one ugly looking thing!! Just don't want to start welding, filling and painting otherwise it'd be out by now!
The pride and joy: E30 M3 Convertible No. 765/786. Macau Blue.
The daily runner: E39 530D Sport Individual Aegean Blue Edition.
And for her indoors: VW Polo GTi 16v. Black.
The daily runner: E39 530D Sport Individual Aegean Blue Edition.
And for her indoors: VW Polo GTi 16v. Black.

