central locking - major issues

[linwoodlane]

So then ive got a 1986 2 door E30 318i im trying to sort.
One massive problem is the central locking.
Symptoms as follows
drivers door lock wont turn at all - left or right .
drivers door wont open from inside or outside
if i unlock the passenger door and then try and open the drivers door from the outside it locks the passenger door
I have managed to get the door panel off but cant see anything obvious.
Someones been playing about behind the speaker where the C/L relay thingy is - a red wire goes to a thicker blue wire ( non genuine ) which goes to the big plug which goes into the door .
this cars poverty spec so no electric windows , power steering or sunroof but it does have electric mirrors.
Im out of my depth and totally lost if im honest
Anyone got any advise apart from my mates who said torch it

[Brianmoooore]

If the key in the driver's door won't turn at all, then something is seized, or you have the wrong key.
Key barrel assembly is held in by a large C clip inside the door, which you flip off with a large screwdriver, then retrieve the lip from the bottom of the door.
Withdraw the lock barrel, and get that working with the key, including the L shaped alloy piece at the back, that should flip from side to side on an 'overcentre' spring arrangement.
The deadlock microswitch is mounted on a plate which is also held by the C clip, so this will also come loose.
Check the operation of the locks from the passenger door and boot with the driver's lock barrel out.

[linwoodlane]

BIG Thanks Brianmoooore
After much faffing about you were correct - drivers door lock has seized solid - ive removed it from the door and its doing nout , wont shift an inch . Its the same key ive had in the last 7 years so its correct - and original C/W working light
Ive snapped off the lock operating part of the barrel and fitted it back in the door along with the deadlock switch plate - this switch cant operate because the part of the lock barrel that moves it ive broken off deliberately .
I found a broken wire for the C/L under the speaker cover and did the bypass mod recommended on the internet and on here
Car will now lock and unlock both doors , book and fuel flap from the passenger door lock.
Drivers outer door lock obviously does zilch.


Need to get a new lock from somewhere now
Any ideas ?

[Brianmoooore]

Plenty of second hand lock assemblies available from breakers, but you'll need a matching key if you want to either use it as it is, or to remove the actual barrel from its housing and to rebuild it to match your existing key. Post in the 'parts wanted' section on here.
The original could probably have been brought back to life, but it sounds like you've damaged it. The most valuable part of the lock assembly is the L shaped alloy piece, which needs to be in good condition for the mechanism to work properly, but is unfortunately the piece that wears. It is available from BMW, but only as part of a lock rebuild kit, which contains the parts you need to match any lock to your key.

[linwoodlane]

Cheers - i had to break it so the car is useable as its my daily transport - couldnt leave a hole in the door as thats asking for trouble- i couldnt fit the lock unbroken as id be back to square one - as it stands it locks and unlocks as before via the central locking but obviously not via the drivers door .
alloy bit i snapped off deliberately was almost worn through.
So i need a new lock it seems - not fussed about it matching .
il post up a wanted add as you suggested

[ChrisHC]

The lock repair kit is less than £40 and then you have got a matching key and a brand new lock.

[linwoodlane]

The lock repair kit is less than £40 and then you have got a matching key and a brand new lock.

i cant even get the thing apart - its jammed solid - my request on here has been answered though and a useable lock and key will be on its way as soon as i contact him
from this maybe in the future i could get this kit and reconfigure it to my key

[ChrisHC]

It is called a lock repair kit but in fact replaces the entire lock assembly so there is no need to take the old one apart, see http://thumbs2.picclick.com/d/w1600/pic ... linder.jpg

[linwoodlane]

It is called a lock repair kit but in fact replaces the entire lock assembly so there is no need to take the old one apart, see http://thumbs2.picclick.com/d/w1600/pic ... linder.jpg

thats not so bad