Z4 E85 Central locking issue

[Richard Howard]

Has anyone got an indication on my problem?
Today my Z4 (E85) threw a wobbly with the central locking. It won't unlock the doors using the remote key fob, it'll only unlock the boot.
I can unlock the drivers door manually by inserting the key into the door lock, but this'll only open the drivers door, the passenger door remains locked and you can't open the passenger door from inside by using the passenger door handle. Also the storage compartment in between the seats remains locked. It'll open the boot by using the remote key fob and I can re-lock the drivers door remotely - but won't unlock the doors remotely....... any ideas?

It was fine yesterday !

 

[MAURICE THE MARTIAN]

Mine did this turned out to be the GM5 module/unit. Sent it off to have a couple of thingy's inside to be replaced cost me about £30 from memory
The unit is situated behind the glove box bit of a bugger to get to .mine is white an about 6 inch x 3 in.
M

 

[MAURICE THE MARTIAN]

Units look like this

 

[Richard Howard]

Units look like this
View attachment 61472 View attachment 61473

That's great M - appreciated!

I'm not a 'spanner man' or 'sparky' myself but now that you've given me a good idea where the problem could be I can tell my 'fixer' chappie.

 

[t-tony]

Richard, dead easy to remove the glove box, 6 screws and when it's out you can see a whole lot more.

Tony.

 

[Richard Howard]

Richard, dead easy to remove the glove box, 6 screws and when it's out you can see a whole lot more.
View attachment 61493 View attachment 61495

Tony.

Thanks Tony

Maybe I'll have a look ..... Cheers!

 

[t-tony]

If I can help please give me a shout Richard. To be honest the trickiest parts is disconnecting the strut which stops the glove box lid opening all the way down. It is released by squeezing together two plastic tags at the bottom end.

Tony.

 

[Richard Howard]

If I can help please give me a shout Richard. To be honest the trickiest parts is disconnecting the strut which stops the glove box lid opening all the way down. It is released by squeezing together two plastic tags at the bottom end.

Tony.

I know what you mean - I did manage to do it once to get to the fuse box, but tried to do it again for some reason & gave up! - However, I'll give it another go.
Once this has been removed, where is this 'GM5 box' located that M suggests?

 

[t-tony]

Going on what Maurice said, yes it must be there or there abouts Richard. I scrutinised my pictures and didn't see a white box about 6x3 but if Mozz said that's where it is I'm sure that's where you'll find it. Once the glove box is out of the way you really can see a lot in that area. It'll only take to 10-15 minutes to find out anyway.

Tony.

 

[Richard Howard]

Going on what Maurice said, yes it must be there or there abouts Richard. I scrutinised my pictures and didn't see a white box about 6x3 but if Mozz said that's where it is I'm sure that's where you'll find it. Once the glove box is out of the way you really can see a lot in that area. It'll only take to 10-15 minutes to find out anyway.

Tony.

After thinking about it - getting to the glove box will be a problem as the passenger door won't unlock! I'm not that agile to clamber across the seats & face head down into the footwell with my arms/hands above me to try to dismantle the glove box. There must be a way to disable the locking - or is there?

 

[MAURICE THE MARTIAN]

Wen you get acess to the GM5 unit 2 little bolts hold it in and for me it was a bit fiddly an struggle to get at em as im not very supple these days.
Its up on the left hand side .
Gud luck .
M

 

[Richard Howard]

Hmmmm - Strange happenings!
Thought I'd pop up to see Stuart my local 'fixer' about the problem & tell him what you've advised. Unlocked the car in my garage by using the key in the door knowing what issues I had yesterday. Got to the 'fixers' garage, explained the problem & possible solution - he said lets have a look & I went through the process at the car - guess what, it worked! Unlocked the doors on the remote, locked them again, unlocked & locked them again. Went through the sequence several times & it worked every time!
Stuart the 'fixer' did say that if the GM5 module is replaced the keys may have to be re-coded accordingly. He also suggested that BMW may be able to carry out a diagnostic check to see if there is an intermittant fault within the central locking circuit - he hasn't got the facility for that check, so I might just pop up to BMW & see what they say as I don't have the confidence to leave it as it is without having it checked.

 

[Ianmc]

Likely a long shot, but did the car get very wet. My MC played up once (over 10 years ago now) in a similar way following a journey in a violent storm. No problems since.

 

[MAURICE THE MARTIAN]

When the relays in mine were changed there was no need to re-code anything also this is a common failure and others who have done this didnt need theirs recoding.
But u may b the lucky one
Also mine like yours worked then stopped then worked again .
So after mrs M's displeasure at having to climb over the passenger door to get in got mine fixed .
M

 

[Richard Howard]

When the relays in mine were changed there was no need to re-code anything also this is a common failure and others who have done this didnt need theirs recoding.
But u may b the lucky one
Also mine like yours worked then stopped then worked again .
So after mrs M's displeasure at having to climb over the passenger door to get in got mine fixed .
M

I fully understand the Mrs's displeasure- I had the same yesterday, not a pretty sight the other half clambering over the seats to get to the passenger side.
I think I'll get it changed just for peace of mind!

Thanks chaps for your assistance - you learn something new each day on this forum!

 

[Richard Howard]

Likely a long shot, but did the car get very wet. My MC played up once (over 10 years ago now) in a similar way following a journey in a violent storm. No problems since.

Can't recall it being subjected to a violent storm, not since I've had it anyway (about 5 years) - I think Maurice has the answer.

 

[raymond]

The battery in the key needs to be charged by the ignition. If the battery is not holding its charge it may give rise to these issues. Try using the other key.

 

[Richard Howard]

The battery in the key needs to be charged by the ignition. If the battery is not holding its charge it may give rise to these issues. Try using the other key.

I did try the other key & had the same problem. Didn't know they were charged via the ignition though!

 

[Richard Howard]

Problem fixed!
Coopers had the Zed in to carry out diagnostic check on electrical systems & sure enough the central locking control module showed up as the problem. So therefore had them change it - part number 61359116445 if anyone is interested - £389.00 less a bit of discount + VAT & Fitting.
Okay, I could have probably found a refurb or decent used one cheaper elsewhere on e/bay or the like but having a genuine BMW part supplied & fitted by the main dealer I now have peace of mind because worryingly, I've found out that if this unit module fails there is no way of unlocking the passenger door manually or any other way.
Imagine there's an accident or fire, the doors are locked (as it locks automatically at about 5mph), the roofs up and your passenger can't open the passenger door - how can they escape or how can anyone from the outside get in? That's why I didn't go for a refurb or used unit !!!!

One other thing - since they carried out the diagnostic check the Zed seems to go better! Don't know why but feels more responsive - maybe it's just me, but I'm happy with the outcome!

 

[t-tony]

Glad you got it done ok. You can delete the automatic door locking if you want to.

Tony.