Lock Help

Post Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:09 am

Hi Guys, quick question(s) here. My E30 has 2 keys, one for the doors and boot and a different one for the ignition an dthe glove box.

The passenger lock doesn't work at all and the drivers side lock sometimes sticks when I use the deadbolt (so I just turn 180 degrees and then back 90 degrees to lock the car).

My ignition lock is also playing up, sometimes the key doesn't release the steering lock so I have to sit there wiggling the key for ages before I can drive away.

A member suggested that I go to the dealers to get a new ignition key sorted, I checked and my dealers will charge Ã‚£20 for this key, someone else suggested a new barrel might be worthwhile at the same time.

Given that my passenger lock is also not working and my drivers lock is not perfect (deadbolt problem) should I get a full new set of locks/keys sorted? and how much will this cost me?. I don't mind having 2 seperate keys, just don't want to do a botch job if it's not going to cost me too much more to repair/replace all.

Went to the dealers today but the parts guy was not available so didn't get the key sorted, money is tight so want to make the most of my money before I rush in and regret it later.

Also read on the forums about a lock repair kit but since this is my first BMW without remote central locking I am unsure on what's possible.

Any advice/tips/suggestions as to the best/cheapest course?.

Cheers

Red Devil

Post Sun Jun 11, 2006 5:47 am

BMW will order keys for your locks if they are still original and if you give them the car VIN number. but your problem sounds more like the barrel is worn, all the little slides inside get worn and cease to function properly, hence why you have to wiggle the key to get it to work., try a bit of WD40 in the ignition barrel and slide your key in/out and trun for a few mins, that normally helps.

your drivers door is different, as you would have seen on the article the end part of the lock gets bent /worn. easiest is a replacement barrel and key from BMW, its a five min swap job. the thought of disassembling a lock and reassembling it just to keep your same key sounds to me like a lot of time and effort!!!

mrlee

Post Sun Jun 11, 2006 9:59 am

Why not put a wanted ad in the E30 parts wanted section for a complete lock set and change everything ?, that's what I ended up doing.

A complete lockset change should only take a couple of hours max, have a look in the tech article section for a write up on how to remove the ignition barrel.

One key for everything

Or have a look on fleabay.

Cheers,

Iain T

Post Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:40 am

As Iain says - a complete lock swap with a 2nd had set is easier than re-building the tumblers in a barrel or two.

Post Sun Jun 11, 2006 1:56 pm

Cool thanks Guys, just put a bid in for a set on Ebay, if I don't win that I will put a post in the wanted section, sounds like a full set is the way to go, will no doubt be posting for advice on how the hell to change the door locks, beet reading up on the ignition barrel and that sounds easy enough.

Thanks again

Red D

Post Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:05 pm

reddevil wrote:will no doubt be posting for advice on how the hell to change the door locks,

Just be glad you have a 2-door - much easier than on a 4...!

Post Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:10 pm

Chris-W wrote: Just be glad you have a 2-door - much easier than on a 4...!

????? What's the difference? Four doors don't have key locks on the rear doors!

Post Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:12 pm

Brianmoooore wrote:
Chris-W wrote: Just be glad you have a 2-door - much easier than on a 4...!
????? What's the difference? Four doors don't have key locks on the rear doors!

Access - I lose more skin fitting the retaining clip to the barrel on 4 doors!

Post Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:20 pm

I cant even get my hand in!
Have to take the window reg out

Post Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:22 pm

Thank god it's not just me - Brian was making me think I had fat hands there for a minute

Post Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:29 pm

Undo the single bolt that holds the bottom end of the glass guide, and swing it up out of the way.

Post Tue Jun 13, 2006 2:58 pm

Right Guys, just a final update, managed to win a set of locks on Ebay for Ã‚£25 inc P&P, managed to swap the ignition barrel over today and that seems to have cured my steering lock problem, going to have a look at the door locks (and boot) in a few days as it's a lot more involved. Thanks again for the advice offered, saved me some SERIOUS problems.

Cheers

Red D