Central locking failing

[midlandtech]

I attempted a search but found nothing. My central locking button has decided not to work any more. I vaguely remember a post or thread where someone tore theirs apart cleaned it and put it back together but I may just be making that up. Anyone have any ideas other than just replacing the switch itself?

[Oli77]

Is that circuit on a fuse? Could just be dirty too. Some people claim the bottom of the switch assembly needs to be glued back in place here. (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=512654)

[midlandtech]

Thanks I thought there was something else out there for it. I am going to tear it apart tomorrow and take a look. and hope for the best

[Sockethead]

The general module controls the central locking system. If your remote doesn't work either, there is a relay in it that goes bad. You can replace it yourself or there is a guy that can do it for you... I forget what his website is at the moment...

[midlandtech]

Interesting. The remote has be touchy lately and here recently quit working all together. I assumed the key was no longer holding a charge but now you have me thinking. Would they quit working at the same time or is it possible for the remote to quit working with the central locking failing several days later?

[prowlerflyer]

I recently had the exact same problem, include the hazard switch acting up also. Once I troubleshot down to the switch in the console, I went about replacing it. The surprising part was, when removing the switch out of the console, the plastic was so brittle it literally fell apart in my hands. No chance glueing was going to save this one. So, 35 dollars to the dealer, and a new combo switch, both central locking and hazard lights are working perfect.

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[M0nk3y]

GM5 module it sounds like.

It controls the windshield wipes, windows and other things too if you want to troubleshoot.

[Sockethead]

Ok I found the website: http://www.bmwgm5.com/

This is good reading for anyone that wants to learn more about this system...

[Meric]

GM5 is the worst.. That moment when your girlfriend expects you to unlock the doors but GM5 doesnt work properly and she thinks your an a^!hole for making her wait in the cold.. -.-

[GE Geoff]

Midland, two things, the fuse: I think it's 65 or 67, albeit, Your symptoms really don't sound like a fuse, usually they just go out and it's dead.
Next: when you open the door does the car give you the alarm for leaving a key in the ignition? When I bought my ZHP it was always like this I had no idea I replaced the fuse for the central locking system and it fixed this and my central locks came back to life with an old key and a new key.
If neither of those hit it I would suggest the GM. I did read the website about the GM 5 and it looks like that relay that everyone is talking about in this thread is the most heavily used and most poorly designed relay in the whole GM5. Good luck :-)

[webster]

m3 bumper on ZHP haz me confuzed

[zj96sc]

The GM5 guy is super helpful and knowledgeable. Worked a lot with him when I had the K-bus short on my first ZHP that sent my blinkers and wipers on the fritz. What an experience that was.

If you're getting no central locking action (ie remotes don't work, button doesn't work) I'd suspect the GM5.

[KevinC]

GM5 is the worst.. That moment when your girlfriend expects you to unlock the doors but GM5 doesnt work properly and she thinks your an a^!hole for making her wait in the cold.. -.-

lol, just happened to me after dinner tonight.. fortunately it was still 80f outside, so she wasn't exactly left out in the cold. 2 months ago I may have been shot for leaving her out in the HEAT, however...

[midlandtech]

Oddest thing happened this morning I drove the car and parked it and out of habit hit the unlock button... It worked... The key however does not. I get no chimes when the key is not in the ignition and flashers, blinkers, and wipers all work... Still thinking GM5 module?


~Steve
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[Hornung418]

Yes. Its the GMV. Some times it works, sometimes it doesn't. I've reset the key and replaced the battery and nothing.

You'll find it works better when there is low moisture in the air. The tin whiskers on the solder are what short the relay and cause this issue.

This post brought to you by Uncle Clark's Anti-gravity Cream. Put some on your Super Collider just before the Big Bang.

[Sockethead]

Mine's been flaaky since I got the car 3 years ago but It doesn't fail enough for me to replace although it always seems to happen at the worst times. Kpro alrerady has a relay that she was going to use in her 325 before she sold it. When it gets bad enough and I'm not feeling lazy, I'll just solder in the new one.