Locks are F*KD!! how do I get out my trunk lock??

[Tad]

Ok, I was cleaning my trunk (on my 1990 325i) and sprayed cleaner all over the place.
It must have gotten into the trunk lock, or lock electronics, because now
I can't get into my car!!

the trunk is stuck unlocked,
and the doors are stuck locked.

I'm thinking that I need to get the trunk lock apart and clean it,
can someone let me know how? I can't figure it out and my bentley doesn't get here till thursday!

more details:

when I turn it to the "lock" position,
it actually pops the lock switches back UP (so it looks like it's unlocked)
but the doors won't open.
If I try to turn either door to the "unlock" position,
it just wont go.

[LINUS]

Hunh?

You can still turn all your locks with the keys - right?

Hit all the areas you think you sprayed cleaner in with compressed air.

I can't make out your problem - do you think you screwed a particular tumbler, or your central locking?

[ivo316]

Which truck is it ????

Maybe the electronics on the trunk can be bypassed if damaged...

[Tad]

hehe, I meant trunk not truck. sorry

no I the key doesn't work in my door locks anymore. (though the drivers side was always stubborn, but until I cleaned the trunk the drivers worked fine).

[delphini]

ask SWISS he had similar problem with his ride , but my new ecu was locked in the trunk!

[ddavidv]

Trunk lock: open trunk, remove two bolts, pop off central lock unit rod, remove and disassemble on bench as you see fit.
There is a sequence to resetting the central lock if it gets FUBAR'd but I never bothered to learn it. We just disconnect useless junk like that on race cars. :)

[LINUS]

You cleaned the trunk & it made the DS tumbler quit working - or it just won't kick the central lock box?

Slow down & explain this clearly, Ace. We can't make heads or tails of what's going on.

Either that or shove a light hit of WD-40 in all the locks, let it sit overnite, then hit with compressed air. Then we can worry about your CL box.

[Tad]

Not sure exactly what component is not working,
I can only explain the symptoms (never heard of a ds tumbler or central lock box before :( ).

basically the key won't budge to the left (to unlock)
and does odd things to the right (locks twice in a row, but lock buttons stay UP).

i think I need to take the trunk mechanism apart and clean out any water
(or by this time probably rust/corrosion as it's been sitting for over a day now).

[LINUS]

Do you have compressed air? You need to try something besides posting for advice. I don't mean to sound like an ass, just saying doing anything will generally provide a better result than posting when we can't get a clear idea of your issue.

DS - driver side

Which lock or locks are causing you problems? Take your time & make a post that gives us all a clear pic of your problem.

[ddavidv]

Factory key or hardware store replacement? I can't lock my trunk because of the non-original key. I have to have it inserted just so or it won't turn at all.

[Tad]

factory key.

Locks work again, I guess the lock dried out.
BUT they're not back to full effect.
Here are the exact symptoms at the moment.

-front doors:
Lock & unlock, but when unlocked door feels almost stuck and has to be pulled hard to open up.

-Trunk:
locks/unlocks but no longer has any effect on front doors (used to lock and unlock the front doors as well as itself).

[StereoInstaller1]

Tad, when you lock the trunk, is it locking the gas door properly?

When you lock the drivers door, is it locking the trunk and gas door?

[Tad]

OK looks like all locking mechanisms are working as they should now!
Must just be taking forever for the water to work its way out.

BUT i'm still having a major problem with the doors being really stiff to open.
the pass especially, I have to really tug on it HARD for it to come open (even though it's unlocked).