Passenger door not unlocking with key

[mousitch]

Anyone experience this? Not a problem all the time. Usually out on a date and my car door wont unlock for my date(embarrassing)..LOL. Driver unlocks on the first push but I just keep pushing the button and the pass will not unlock.

[jatmallet]

Same problem here, but it's fairly infrequent, so I haven't given it much thought.

[gferil]

Not sure if this is right, but first and easiest thing you can try is to re-initialize the keys:

1. turn key to position 1 five times very quickly
2. remove key
3. Hold unlock button then press lock button 3 times, release unlock button. (The door locks should cycle to let you know it worked)
4. Repeat step 4 for other keys within 30 seconds to initialize them too.
5. turn on igntion to finalize

If that doesn't work, I'm not sure if it's a problem on the E85/6, but on my E46 it was an issue, I had to replace both door lock modules over the period of ownership because they would go out, same symptoms, wouldn't unlock from the remote but would unlock manually. That was the cheaper and easier fix, some people had problems with their GMV, which was a more expensive and complicated repair. For more info on the GMV, see this

http://www.bmwgm5.com/

Hope that helps and hope it's the easiest fix and/or covered by CPO or something.

[flyzipper]

When I took delivery of mine the passenger door wouldn't unlock, nor would the air conditioning work. I took it to the dealer and they said it was still 'partially' in delivery/vallet mode, which locks out some functions. 'Full' delivery mode also limits the speed to 5mph apparently.

[tekmoe]

If you keep hitting the unlock button and it will not unlock the passenger door, hit the lock button, then unlock again a few times. This usually works for me.

[udme86m]

Originally Posted by tekmoe

If you keep hitting the unlock button and it will not unlock the passenger door, hit the lock button, then unlock again a few times. This usually works for me.

Same issue here - rather annoying this suggestion works for me too but ridiculous that it's an issue at all....

[mshanno1]

I have the same problem. I also had the same problem on my 3.0si. Let us know what you find out

[Blind32]

Originally Posted by tekmoe

If you keep hitting the unlock button and it will not unlock the passenger door, hit the lock button, then unlock again a few times. This usually works for me.

I have this problem occasionally as well. Had it on my '02 325i as well occasionally.

[psygnosis]

I've had this happen before, I usually think it's because I try to unlock both doors too quickly.

[Jmanscotch]

I do at times, as noted, usually as I'm trying to open the door for the lady...

[RADRACR]

Same (very) intermittent problem here. Opening the door, closing, locking, and trying again usually does it for me as it "resets" it.

[esqu1re]

Originally Posted by gferil

Not sure if this is right, but first and easiest thing you can try is to re-initialize the keys:

1. turn key to position 1 five times very quickly
2. remove key
3. Hold unlock button then press lock button 3 times, release unlock button. (The door locks should cycle to let you know it worked)
4. Repeat step 4 for other keys within 30 seconds to initialize them too.
5. turn on igntion to finalize

This sounds like something to activate a cheat on a NES game. . .up up down down left right left right B A START

[mousitch]

Wow, guess this might be a small but annoying issue for more than just I. I don't feel so bad now. Ill live with it.

[boydgti]

Happens too mine also, I just thought it was because I wasnt using it enough

[txz4]

Originally Posted by mousitch

Wow, guess this might be a small but annoying issue for more than just I. I don't feel so bad now. Ill live with it.

my unlock button on my z4coupe in the car would refuse to work as well at times. My M is a little better, but it still happens

[Jmanscotch]

Would it be a weak GM5 by chance? (or am I even barking near the right forest?)

[gferil]

Originally Posted by Jmanscotch

Would it be a weak GM5 by chance? (or am I even barking near the right forest?)

Definitely could be a culprit, like I mentioned in my post #3 above.

Seriously, if all you guys are having these issues, try the key re-initialization thing...it costs you nothing, takes a few minutes of your time, and who knows, might solve the problem.

If that doesn't work, start looking into the actual door lock actuator or the GM5. Same exact symptoms as the E46...so I can see it being the same fixes...

[Endless619]

I had the same issue quite frequent and turns out it was my tint for some reason just like the comfort access issue some have with the E92 M3. Thats what I blamed it on anyway since I couldn't find any other issues.

[dekaliber]

Happened on my 3.0si, happens on my M, happens on my E46 ZHP. They don't happen frequently enough to make me bother bringing it in, but enough when I have a passenger to make it an annoyance.

On the Z's I've also had issues with range. I generally have to be almost next to the car before the remote will activate, unless I do the key-against-the-jaw trick. The E46 is a little better in that regard, but the range still doesn't compare to basically ANY other car I've driven (my old RX-8, my parents' Merc, my girlfriend's GTI, and all manners of cheap rental cars). It's just NEVER an issue on any other car, and it's the one thing that's consistently spotty on BMWs. $40K+ cars that can't unlock properly. WTF!

/rant

[mshanno1]

Originally Posted by gferil

Definitely could be a culprit, like I mentioned in my post #3 above.

Seriously, if all you guys are having these issues, try the key re-initialization thing...it costs you nothing, takes a few minutes of your time, and who knows, might solve the problem.

If that doesn't work, start looking into the actual door lock actuator or the GM5. Same exact symptoms as the E46...so I can see it being the same fixes...

I don't think it is an issue with the key. The same thing happens with the unlock button inside the car. For example, if I press the unlock button twice on the key fob, and only the drivers side door unlocks, the unlock button inside the vehicle wont unlock the passenger door work unless I lock the car and start the whole process over.

[gferil]

Originally Posted by mshanno1

I don't think it is an issue with the key. The same thing happens with the unlock button inside the car. For example, if I press the unlock button twice on the key fob, and only the drivers side door unlocks, the unlock button inside the vehicle wont unlock the passenger door work unless I lock the car and start the whole process over.

If that's the case, then it's probably a lock module or GM5 related. I had the same thing in my E46 and once I replaced the lock module the problem went away.

[Jmanscotch]

Originally Posted by gferil

Definitely could be a culprit, like I mentioned in my post #3 above.

Herr durr, I'm blind I guess

Originally Posted by dekaliber

On the Z's I've also had issues with range. I generally have to be almost next to the car before the remote will activate, unless I do the key-against-the-jaw trick. The E46 is a little better in that regard, but the range still doesn't compare to basically ANY other car I've driven (my old RX-8, my parents' Merc, my girlfriend's GTI, and all manners of cheap rental cars). It's just NEVER an issue on any other car, and it's the one thing that's consistently spotty on BMWs. $40K+ cars that can't unlock properly. WTF!

Issues with range are more in the receiver behind the rear view mirror: http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=203997