Key lock broken and battery flat!!!!

Rad811 · Jan 19, 2013

Hi,

I bought an e46 sedan today and knew that the car lock was broken. The key could just lock the car but i guess it was not charged enough as i could no longer open it now! ( A few hours after)
Any idea how i can re-open the car?

Many thanks in advance,

asma123 · Jan 20, 2013

you can open your trunk with the key and put the seats down and get in that way

jfoj · Jan 20, 2013

Open trunk and get battery charged or jump the car?

Ebay for the door lock repair parts.

www.bmwgm5.com for info in case your GM5 module is questionable.

A E46 with only 1 keyfob is a dangerous thing!

sgoetz628 · Jan 20, 2013

Does the ignition have to be on for the key to be charging, or could I just leave it in overnight? I don't like to use the 2nd keyfob, as all the settings are different. Also, do you recommend charging the 2nd keyfob from time to time?

thanks

Rad811 · Jan 20, 2013

Thank you guys for the reply. But can the rear seats of an e46 sedan go down from the back?

2003 325i · Jan 20, 2013

they can if you have fold down seats. They don't from inside the cabin.

2003 325i · Jan 20, 2013

definitely recharge second fob from time to time. I would think ignition would have to be on to charge the key but my bentley is at work so i'd have to see a wiring diagram (not sure if it's even in the manual).

sgoetz628 · Jan 20, 2013

Will do then. Thanks

jfoj · Jan 20, 2013

The settings are not stored in the keyfob, they are in car memory.

If you save your seat position the same for position 1 & 2 and set all other things the same then you will not see a difference between the keyfobs.

scottjoh · Jan 20, 2013

That is true. If you don't want the setting from the 2nd key to change the seat, mirror, etc then open the car with the key in the door instead of with the remote (the car won't know which key was used and therefore won't change anything.)

jfoj · Jan 21, 2013

I think??? depending on how the car is coded, that radio station presets and climate control settings can be stored as well. Or at least the last climate control settings that were used may be recalled when the key is used?

It can be a bit of a PITA to get sorted, but as long as you are the sole driver it should not be too big of an issue.

sgoetz628 · Jan 21, 2013

First off, sorry to hijack the thread. Secondly, thanks for the advice. Great to learn new things about my car - even 10 years after!

04-330ci-ny · Jan 21, 2013

FYI I've been locked out like that once and I called AAA to come open the car. The guy used one of those airbag wedges to get the driver door open enough to stick a metal rod in and and hit unlock.

To our surprise when he hit the button the car deadbolted into some sort of security mode. (apparently this has to do with a weight sensor in the seat recognizing that there's no one in the seat) He ended up leaving but I later discovered you have to hit the button multiple times and also lasso the drivers side door handle to get it.

I'm not sure the exact sequence but it was something like unlock button (center console) then lasso door and pull then unlock again..if anyone knows the exact sequence for the e46 security system it might be worth posting!

jfoj · Jan 21, 2013

Some year cars might behave slight different, usually you need to push the center console button once, the pull the door handle.

04-330ci-ny · Jan 21, 2013

Yeah I read that everywhere but beware on the 04 330Ci it's two unlocks...not sure what other models have this too

Key lock broken and battery flat!!!!

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