E30 Zone

Can anyone give me any tips on replacing the central locking actuator on the back door of a 4 door? Started the job myself by removing the door card..... then looked at where the motor was and put the door card back. Mr Haynes was no help at all, maybe someone here has done the job before?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Sure I've removed and replaced them before. Don't recall any particular problems.
What's causing you grief?

Getting at the motor itself? I can see it but cant see any way of getting at the screws that hold it in. Do I maybe need to remove the door catch assembly to gain access??

*Heads down to Halfrauds for an impact driver if thats the case*

Well, I've just gone out to the shed in the pi**ing rain to refresh my knowledge, and I can't see the slightest problem in removing the locking motor on the rear door of a 4 door saloon i looked at!
Actuator is held on by two 8mm self tappers, and is right by a largish hole in the inner door panel. Would take longer to get the correct socket out of the toolbox than to remove it!

Hmmmmmm........ looks like the door trim is coming off again!! I must be completely blind!!

Thanks for the help

Just been for another look and there's nothing easily accessable that holds the motor in. I can feel 2 screws that hold it in but they're right round the back by the window mechanism

Never mind I think I can live without it i'll just have to buy a 2 door

The two screws should be just below the level of the catch, and only just covered by the edge of the door card.
Your car's not an antique chrome bumper one, is it?

nope its just a standard 1990 H reg 318i 4 door..... I've taken a pic of the section of the door with the door card removed which I'll try and put up later.

Here goes first ever attempt at posting a pic!!!.....

Looks like it's already been removed - the two slotted holes about 3 inches lower.

Are you talking about the latch itself?

Its the locking motor that I need to replace.... its directly behind where the 2 slotted holes are.

I've just taken the front actuators out of my 2 door, and they were held in by 2 torx self tappers.

Not done the rears before, but those bolts look a bit beefy for an electrical actuator that weighs almost nothing!

In the spirit of Mr. Moooooooore, I've just been and removed one. Not sure where you are stuck? Two 6mm screws off, then unplug the motor and twist it off it's lever.

The 2 10mm bolts seem to hold in part of the catch/handle mechanism. Cant figure out what holds in the motor but its stuck solid!!! Probably held in with no nails or something knowin my luck

The two 10mm's are for the window guide.

Are these 2 lil screws supposed to be on the outside of the door or do I need to reach inside? There's nothing easily accessable inside and nothing at all outside

The two little screws are already absent in your picture - the slotted holes.

Right..... with it now. Looks like bodgit and scarper ltd have had their hands on it

As a side note, I now find myself with a central locking motor for sale

Already got one thanks Been scrathing my head for ages tryin to get it in too!!!

Doesn't look like there has ever been any screws in the slotted holes. They usually mark the paint.
Sure you don't have some aftermarket bodge up on the rears?

The motor inside the door looks genuine... exactly the same as the new one i bought. I would have thought it would have central locking as standard?

CrazyDave wrote:The motor inside the door looks genuine... exactly the same as the new one i bought. I would have thought it would have central locking as standard?

Relatively rare on rears.

So what was the motor fixed to? And why?
Don't forget to fix the wiring so that it clears the glass when it comes down!

right I just assumed it was a standard fitting..... haven't got a clue what the motor is fixed to but its stuck in there solid. It was working when I bought the car and was working for the 4 years that the previous owner had it. I've also tested the wiring by plugging the new motor in and it works. I'm wondering now if the central locking was fitted to the rear doors when the alarm was fitted. To be honest i'm not gonna lose any sleep over it but it would have been nice to get it working again. Doesn't seem worth it though if i'm gonna have to destroy the door in the process