double-locked out of my car

[doktor_b]

my keyless entry started acting up on sunday. so on monday night, i locked the car with the key. it didn't lock at 45* clockwise, but it easily locked at 90*. until yesterday, i'd never heard of "double locked".

now, i can't get the damned car to unlock at all. key in either door, nothing. got the trunk open, but can't get that to actuate any other locks. key turns CCW like normal, but with no resistance. when i hit the unlock button on the remote, i can hear something in the trunk click and sometimes i can hear a relay in the dash/fusebox area trying to go, but sounds like a buzzing relay.

i plan to overhaul the entire lock system (cylinders, CLCM, etc) after i get back in the car...but i need to get in the car.

i'm trying like hell to not have to put a brick through a window, but i'm running out of patience and out of time. car has been locked up solid since monday night.

any ideas?

1991 325i

[cabriodster87]

From the Trunk Button, try turning Key full clockwise and wiggle a little. ???? The Key..

[doktor_b]

From the Trunk Button, try turning Key full clockwise and wiggle a little. ???? The Key..

def tried that. thanks tho.

[DIIRTY-30]

One of my locks when I first got my car was double locked and the key (stripped) didnt work obviously. Had to remove it half way and cut it with a hacksaw... then reinstalled my old key tumblers from my last car...

I'd pray for the trunk actuator to fix your problem though and see if you cant unlock the car that way somehow.

[bmwm42]

Every E30 I've come across has had double locking. Now, not many people know this (might have been dealer only info), but if you lock yourself out this way and your passenger cylinder is functional, you put the key in the passenger door lock and turn it to lock while pulling the door handle. It may take a few tries, but when you get it right the door will open. Car will still be double locked, but it'll be open.

[bmwm42]

All perfectly good suggestions under normal circumstances BUT if your central locking motors go none of them will work. Barry is close but again if you try and open the locks mechanically by turning the key nothing will happen (unless the key breaks!). But you can open the door mechanically - you put the key into the lock and GENTLY "twiddle" it while at the same time you lift up the door handle GENTLY and with a little bit of persuasion the door WILL open. For all I know it works with every make of car? Not something you need every day but when you need it you need it!

[doktor_b]

Every E30 I've come across has had double locking. Now, not many people know this (might have been dealer only info), but if you lock yourself out this way and your passenger cylinder is functional, you put the key in the passenger door lock and turn it to lock while pulling the door handle. It may take a few tries, but when you get it right the door will open. Car will still be double locked, but it'll be open.

All perfectly good suggestions under normal circumstances BUT if your central locking motors go none of them will work. Barry is close but again if you try and open the locks mechanically by turning the key nothing will happen (unless the key breaks!). But you can open the door mechanically - you put the key into the lock and GENTLY "twiddle" it while at the same time you lift up the door handle GENTLY and with a little bit of persuasion the door WILL open. For all I know it works with every make of car? Not something you need every day but when you need it you need it!

i'll give these two a try when i get home tonight. thanks!

One of my locks when I first got my car was double locked and the key (stripped) didnt work obviously. Had to remove it half way and cut it with a hacksaw... then reinstalled my old key tumblers from my last car...

I'd pray for the trunk actuator to fix your problem though and see if you cant unlock the car that way somehow.

unfortunately, this is not going to happen. my trunk is def not getting it done. the lock cylinders work (with regards to the tumblers), my problem is in the central locking portion of the system. (be it microswitches or a broken eccentric or whatever.)