Can anyone help?
A few weeks back my central locking started playing up. The passenger door (offside) wouldnt lock, I couldnt even lock the door manually, pin would not go down. The battery went flat as a result of what i thought to be a fault lock motor. These were then removed and i found that indeed the o/s motor was fauly, replaced battery and all seemed ok untill i didnt use the car for about 3 days. THE BATTERY WAS NEARLY DEAD.
I have found that the electric windows are ALWAYS LIVE? Both switches are lit up when car is off?
Being so busy at work of late, i have not had time to investigate further.
I would be grateful for any advice or wiring diagrams which may help me put an end to this rather annoying fault.
Many Thanks
Ric
ELECTRICAL FAULT ON MY 320IS
Moderator: martauto
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Door pin switch.
i have the same problem i believe i have a faulty central locking unit .(its located in the drivers foot well behind the speaker) mine stays live (even though the central locking looks to be fine) which is causing a draw from the battery which kills the battery after 2-3 days on non use. have the replacment part arriving this week, hopefully its the cause.
you can pick them up on ebay second hand for about a ten or 20 euro but they are over 100 euro new from bmw ,so i'm trying the cheaper option first
you can pick them up on ebay second hand for about a ten or 20 euro but they are over 100 euro new from bmw ,so i'm trying the cheaper option first
- Brianmoooore
- E30 Zone Team Member

- Posts: 49358
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
If the window switches are staying lit, then this is why the battery drains, and the cause is almost certainly one of the door pin switches.
You may well have a central locking fault as well, of course. Dig the locking ECU out of its hiding place under the driver's footwell speaker, and check that it's dry inside, and that the drain slots in the sill aren't blocked.
Then use the forum search function to find about the 'red/black wire modification'. Do this modification even if everything relevant seems to be as new, as it will greatly improve the future reliability of the locking and other things.
You may well have a central locking fault as well, of course. Dig the locking ECU out of its hiding place under the driver's footwell speaker, and check that it's dry inside, and that the drain slots in the sill aren't blocked.
Then use the forum search function to find about the 'red/black wire modification'. Do this modification even if everything relevant seems to be as new, as it will greatly improve the future reliability of the locking and other things.


