First post! Locked out of my Touring boot!

[Nick45]

Alright Folks? Been posting for ages on the BMW Car Club site but at last I'm active in my spiritual home!
Current fleet is a 318iS with a head gasket on the way out so it's sat on the drive while I save up for a replacement and a timing chain swop (I've been quoted Ԛ£450 - seems ok to me).
In the meantime I've gone all sensible and bought a 320 auto Touring to get around in but I can't get into the boot.
The key goes in the lock but won't turn - I've checked the wiring in the A pillars behind the seat belts & it all seems fine. Ditto the fuse. What next?
I think there's a box in the driver's footwell that has a relay in but I can't find it to check it! Where is it?? Anybody else had this problem?
When I first got the car, the boot opened automatically with the central locking. Apart from that the car's a proper minter with FSH to 110k (it's currently on 113k) and SE spec.
Grateful for any advice.
Cheers amigos - Nick

[gareth]

my boot is the same, only at the moment the central locking all works so all is good....

is it possible to unclip enough of the boot trims from the inside to reach the servo linkage and give it a tug? not tried it but it may work...

[Nick45]

Cheers for the advice Gareth - my problem is that I wouldn't know a servo linkage if it bit me on the arse! I've heard the locks playing up is a common E30 fault but I've never had it before on any of mine so I'm clueless. Do your deadlocks work then? I don't think mine do - I was worried at first that I'd somehow engaged them 'cause I don't have the master key - just the two small ones which (apparently) don't do the job.

[gareth]

hehe! not sure if i even have deadlocks!!!! never tried to see, i just use the remote central locking!

the servo will be a (blue from memory) plastic housing (probably about 2"x4") with a rubber bellows linkage sticking off one end, there's a wire link from the bellows part and this is the linkage that wants moving about. the servo pushes and pulls this to open and close the lock.

i suspect it's inside the tailgate itseld but i could be wrong, it could be behind the boot trim! maybe someone else can remember!

[Nick45]

I've had the trim off but couldn't see anything to play about with - if you'd have seen me trying to force the lock with a cheap screwdriver . . . Jesus! What an amateur. Any idea about this relay in the footwell mate?

[gareth]

no idea at all! luckily so far i've had no central locking troubles so haven't needed to look!

brianmoore is your man... brian, where are you?

[Nick45]

Cheers anyway Gareth - I see you wisely went for the 325. This 320 is sooo sloooow...

[gareth]

the 325 was fun for a while...

however...

i'm currently pulling the engine out of a 735i for mine!!!!

i have ALL of the other parts i need!!!!

it'll be a 211bhp touring and the only giveaway will be the slight drop and 16" alpinas

[Nick45]

I'll get my coat . . .

[gareth]

[Brianmoooore]

The reason the key won't work in the tailgate lock is probably because you only have the "B" key. Dealer should be able to ordr you a master key from your VIN and proof of ownership.
Tailgate central locking solenoid has probably failed if the rest of the central locking is OK. It lives behind the panel at the back of the luggage compartment that covers the light clusters. Just undo the 1/4 turn fasteners and pull it off.
Solenoid is mainly red, and is held in place by a couple of 7mm hex headed self tappers. It's just beside the lock mechanism, and coupled to it by a short piece of still steel wire. Either pull the wire, or undo the two self tappers and pull the whole solenoid.

[gareth]

[Nick45]

Brian - thanks mate. I'll give it a try this afternoon.

[fuzzy]

thanks indeed brian....mine has just developed the same problem