Door Lock Question

[grlaneriejr]

Hey guys, a dumb question. I can't lock my driver's door by pushing the button down. It will lock w/ the key after it's closed only. Is this designed like this? If not, what is wrong?

Thanks

[bimmerphile]

Is your car a 318iS? I've seen this problem in 2 318iS's.


Unfortunately, I don't have a solution.

[grlaneriejr]

No, it's a 85 318i. Does this sound normal?

[christophbmw]

my 85' 318i deos this also. it has done it ever since i have bought it. i think its normal......but i can lock my passenger door when its opened.

[LikeCDoos]

it's normal. I believe it does this so you can't lock your key's in your car. Also i think once it's closed you can't unlock it by hand through the window, therefore acting as some anti theft system.

[aaron_silva]

it's normal. I believe it does this so you can't lock your key's in your car. Also i think once it's closed you can't unlock it by hand through the window, therefore acting as some anti theft system.

Incorrect, the doors can be opened from the inside. How do you get the doors open after you start the car (the car locks itself after start)? Just pull on the handle.

Aaron

[LikeCDoos]

my car doesn't lock its self after started...

[bimmerphile]

my car doesn't lock its self after started...

Nor have any other E30's I've seen.




As to my above statement, I misread your post. I thought you said you could unlock it by hand after it was locked. Yes, what you are experiencing is normal. You cannot lock the door by hand while the door is open.

[aaron_silva]

When I turn the key the doors and trunk lock. When I turn the car off, the doors and trunk unlock. It has been that way for me since I have owned the car.

[LikeCDoos]

When I turn the key the doors and trunk lock. When I turn the car off, the doors and trunk unlock. It has been that way for me since I have owned the car.

That would be a real nice feature to have. Do you have keyless entry or some aftermarket alarm system on it?

[aaron_silva]

I have a Clifford G5 with motion sensor but that was installed only 6 months ago.

Aaron

[Tangent]

Not being able to push down lock button with dorr open = normal

Turning key in driver's side lock ~1/8 turn to lock = doors locked, lock button can be pulled up to open door.

Turning key in driver's side lock ~1/4 turn (as far as it will go) = "double lock" = not being able to pull up on button to unlock door as a security feature = only being able to unlock doors from driver's door lock or trunk lock. Only the driver's door has the "double lock" feature. This feature baffled me at first when I would double lock it (without knowing I was doing that) and then wouldn't be able to unlock it from the passenger side door.

[LikeCDoos]

if you do the "double lock" there is a way to open your passenger door. You go to unlock from the passenger side and hold the key there while lifting on the door handle.

[grlaneriejr]

Okay, thanks guys. I was just wondering if this was normal or my door was messed up.

[christophbmw]

When I turn the key the doors and trunk lock. When I turn the car off, the doors and trunk unlock. It has been that way for me since I have owned the car.

That would be a real nice feature to have. Do you have keyless entry or some aftermarket alarm system on it?

i think the newer E30's do that.