HELP!

Author
Discussion

coramlmp

Original Poster:

163 posts

270 months

Sunday 16th March 2003
quotequote all
I put my 5-series off the road for the winter, with doors locked.

Inevitably, the battery has gone flat and there's no charge to allow the immobiliser to unlock the doors. I've tried the key, but I can't get it unlocked.

I desperately need to get into the car, preferably without damaging it. Can anyone help??

The car's a 1991, H-reg, E34, 535i sport. And will be for sale shortly, once I can get into it!

Steve.

P.S. There's a track day in it for anyone that can come up with a solution tonight!!

chris.mapey

4,778 posts

274 months

Sunday 16th March 2003
quotequote all
Try reaching under the car to release the bonnet cable. Get the bonnet open and then put a trickle charger on the battery. Leave for a while - alarm may start bleating - and try again.

You should be able to unlock the door with the key, as it should operate directly on the door lock itself - or am I just used to pleb wagons, not the "ultimate driving machine"!!!!!!!

Other option is call the AA / RAC and wait for assistance.

Sorry I can't be more help.

Chris

PatHeald

8,058 posts

263 months

Sunday 16th March 2003
quotequote all
Crawl under it, pull the bonnet release cable, open the bonnet and put the battery charger on it.

Then use the key.

If you can't reach the cable then this is a shite suggestion.

PatHeald

8,058 posts

263 months

Sunday 16th March 2003
quotequote all
Chris.....

Great minds think alike and, it seems, at the same time.

Fight you for the track day!

Pat.

chris.mapey

4,778 posts

274 months

Sunday 16th March 2003
quotequote all

PatHeald said: Chris.....

Great minds think alike and, it seems, at the same time.

Fight you for the track day!

Pat.


Pat

On the current antiwar sentimemts - let's share!!!!!!

Best Wishes

Chris

DennisTheMenace

15,605 posts

275 months

Sunday 16th March 2003
quotequote all
cant you open the boot drop the rear seats and get into the cabin that way to pull the bonnet release? have you tried the passenger door (bit obvious i know) has the car got deadlocks ?

coramlmp

Original Poster:

163 posts

270 months

Monday 17th March 2003
quotequote all
No luck yet - I've tried all suggestions so far, without success.

My car's about 4" from the ground, so I can't crawl under it! Besides, it's got two bonnet catches that need to operated simulatneously for the bonnet to open. Providing I can find where the cables are!

The doors are deadlocked and can't be opened without some sort of power. Looks like it's a brick through the small, rear door window...

Steve.

Fatboy

8,088 posts

279 months

Monday 17th March 2003
quotequote all
Clamp a jump lead to the starter motor positive and another to some earth point, attatch to another battery and give it a go?

Or could you possibly reach the battery positive from under the car? Or pop the indicator side repeater off and try connecting it's positive lead to a battery?

>> Edited by Fatboy on Monday 17th March 10:24

littlegearl

3,139 posts

264 months

Monday 17th March 2003
quotequote all

coramlmp said: No luck yet - I've tried all suggestions so far, without success.

My car's about 4" from the ground, so I can't crawl under it! Besides, it's got two bonnet catches that need to operated simulatneously for the bonnet to open. Providing I can find where the cables are!

The doors are deadlocked and can't be opened without some sort of power. Looks like it's a brick through the small, rear door window...

Steve.


woah there!!! i would try calling out the AA/RAC/Green Flag first, even if your not a member they will probably get you in your car for a small fee...

i mean, do you really want to smash the window of your car (and get it replaced) and set the alarm off???

davidy

4,474 posts

291 months

Monday 17th March 2003
quotequote all
Try using the key in the passengers door, I neighbour of mine once had the same problem and it appeared that something was lost in the translation of the manual. Since the car is German and normally a left hooker, thats where the drivers door is!!

davidy

bruce fielding

2,244 posts

289 months

Monday 17th March 2003
quotequote all
Sorry if this isn't much help, but have you tried calling a BMW dealership? This has happened to two of my mates with beemers and no brick has yet been required...

incorrigible

13,668 posts

268 months

Monday 17th March 2003
quotequote all
I'd go with the jump leads to the starter motor option, but if you can't jack the car up then that's useless

A friend with AA/RAC homestart would be a good option

Podie

46,645 posts

282 months

Monday 17th March 2003
quotequote all
Can you get through the boot...? (open the boot... get the seats down, crawl through and open the bonnet?

mrsd

1,502 posts

260 months

Monday 17th March 2003
quotequote all
If you have to go for the window smashing option give Autoglass a call first. I had to do this and discovered that the small windows are hard to source and difficult to replace, whereas the front door windows are readily available, easy to fix and cheap. A sheet of sticky backed plastic over the window minimises flying bits.
But there is a trick to get power to the locks on a dead E34. It might be of use to tea leaves, so mail me if you want it.

jesusbuiltmycar

4,673 posts

261 months

Monday 17th March 2003
quotequote all
As has already been suggested....

When the battery went flat on my 5 series the RAC simply jacked up the car and connected a battery / jump leads accross the starter motor from underneath...

Dan

1,068 posts

291 months

Monday 17th March 2003
quotequote all
Had the same problem with my 530i se a few years ago.

The trick is to turn the key in the lock and lift the door handle at the same time.

It takes a bit of practice to get the timing right but it does work (eventually)

Best of luck

Dan

coramlmp

Original Poster:

163 posts

270 months

Monday 17th March 2003
quotequote all
I called the dealership this morning, they gave me some advice, and hey presto, I'm in! Shame they're not open at 9.00pm on a Sunday or the guy would have got a track day out of it!

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

Steve.