2001 BMW 325 DOOR LOCKS

Tiny
DRMEMORY56
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 BMW 325
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 194,000 MILES
WHEN THE CAR GETS HOT FROM SITTING WITH THE WINDOWS UP, THE ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT WORK. ALSO, YOU CANNOT UNLOCK THE CAR BY ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. I HAVE TALKED WITH SEVERAL BMW SERVICE PEOPLE AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THIS. THEY TELL ME THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS. THE CAR WILL NOT UNLOCK WITH THE REMOTE EITHER. IF THE CAR IS COOL SUCH AS EARLY IN THE MORNING, I HAVE NO PROBLEM.
Friday, April 18th, 2008 AT 1:06 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,603 POSTS
The general module controls the door locks. If there is a problem, there will be a fault set for it. Has the car been to the dealer? You report this issue occurs when hot and everything works normally when cold, does this include the remotes? Will the key inserted into the lock and held in the open position, comfort open the windows and sunroof?
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Friday, April 18th, 2008 AT 3:16 PM
Tiny
MOHANMILES
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  • 1 POST
I have the same problem with my 2001 BMW 325i.

It is intermitten. I can't unlock from the inside nor outside. I can use the key on the drivers side unlock
Once I am in the car I keep pressing the lock button in the center console the drivers side lock goes down but the car does not unlock. I keep pressing this button on and off for a bit and at it opens up.

Is there a way to manually open all 4 locks with the key in the drivers door?

This is very frustrating. Please help
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Saturday, May 24th, 2008 AT 11:52 AM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
  • MECHANIC
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I get that there is a problem here guys, and would you please follow my suggestions and repost. As to the unlocking of all doors from the drivers door lock, turn once to unlock the drivers door, turn again to unlock all others. This is a function of the car/key memory that is programmed into the car.
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Sunday, May 25th, 2008 AT 11:23 AM
Tiny
KDAVILA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I encountered the same problem today for the first time since I've owned my 2001 BMW 325i (since December 2003). I live in Texas and I'm pretty sure the temp was close to 100 today but I have never had this problem before. I drove my car to work and when I arrived I tried to lock/unlock my car again and it worked, so I agree that it must have something to do with the car being left out in the heat. The problem still perplexes me though.

Thanks for the advice on how to open all 4 of the doors, and I will see about taking it to a dealership for further suggestions.

Oh, and as info, the alarm would turn on and off but the doors would not unlock using the remote or the button located in the center console of the car.
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Monday, June 16th, 2008 AT 2:18 AM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
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I have not seen heat cause this issue but I suppose it could happen. There might be a fault set for it, the proprietary software at the dealer will uncover it.
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Monday, June 16th, 2008 AT 10:22 AM
Tiny
KDAVILA
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the quick reply. Yes, I agree that it probably isn't an issue with the heat but it sounds like it occurred in the same conditions. My car also has around 194,000 miles on it. It might have something to do with that too. When I take it into the dealer, I'll post the solution they give me.

Thanks again!
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Monday, June 16th, 2008 AT 2:32 PM
Tiny
DOCHAGERTY
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We will be here!
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Monday, June 16th, 2008 AT 4:02 PM
Tiny
FIORIDESIGNS
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Ok, now I replyed and commented to this matter, but dont see it here. So. II am one to mess with it until I figue it out for myself I did.

Don't rush to dealer, try this 1st.

For those of you with the problem locks; Driver unlocks, but not a single other does. Not from inside or out.

*** Cool off car.(30m) Turn car on. Roll all windows down. Get outside the car, and hold down the center (LOCK) button for 30sec. WAHLA. Then try to lock and unlock. I just completed this task, it worked. Now.

If not try again. Hold button down longer.

HOW does it get this way? Who knows. Impatient fingers maybe? I know I gotta 'em.
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Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
SCOTTJOH
  • MEMBER
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If you are having problems unlocking your E46 especially during hot weather then the problem is definately the relays in the GM5.
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Tuesday, August 26th, 2008 AT 2:05 AM

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