Drivers door lock spins when turned

[BlackBMWs]

Hello!

Nice forum resource here for the roadsters. I have already learned much about my new to me car. One repair item for today is my spinning driver door lock. That's it. Simply spins freely when you turn the key. I'm thinking an engagement rod is disengaged. or a pin is broken or missing on the tumbler.

I have the door panel off and can actuate the central locking by hand it seems to work fine, just no friction on the key cylinder to actuate.

Searched the DIY/repair section and found no matches for this situation. Anyone have the similar issue on their car?

Thanks for any insight or tips. Perhaps just some luck needed here. Cheers!

 

[Stevo7682]

I have seen something like this on older 3 series so zed probably the same .
If the key / lock worn lock can spin.
Also is there a possibility the lock has been changed and your key spinning as it's not the right key

 

[FRANKIE]

I have seen something like this on older 3 series so zed probably the same .
If the key / lock worn lock can spin.
Also is there a possibility the lock has been changed and your key spinning as it's not the right key

I am guilty of not driving my Z very much for many reasons, all out of my control. However, there were several times this has happened when I've put my key in the ignition. I have a 1.9 L Z3, 1996. The ignition key just spun around without engaging anything. I thought I was using the wrong key and tried the other one. Same thing. I went back to the ignition key and it spun around once or twice again but finally acted 'normal' and started the car. Did it again the other day. I could be wrong but I thought it did it once or twice on the door lock. There is a battery in the key but it only operates a small light on the key and the light works when I press the button. If you find out what the problem is, please let me know. Thanks, Frankie

 

[FRANKIE]

Hello!

Nice forum resource here for the roadsters. I have already learned much about my new to me car. One repair item for today is my spinning driver door lock. That's it. Simply spins freely when you turn the key. I'm thinking an engagement rod is disengaged. or a pin is broken or missing on the tumbler.

I have the door panel off and can actuate the central locking by hand it seems to work fine, just no friction on the key cylinder to actuate.

Searched the DIY/repair section and found no matches for this situation. Anyone have the similar issue on their car?

Thanks for any insight or tips. Perhaps just some luck needed here. Cheers!

Rich, the above reply was supposed to be for your post, sorry. Frankie

 

[BlackBMWs]

Rich, the above reply was supposed to be for your post, sorry. Frankie

Hi Frankie - The spinning lock cylinder is something I have encountered and remidied on several of my BMW that are a bit senior. There is a tab in the cylinder that corresponds to a slot in the cylinder lock housing. If the tab breaks, the cylinder will spin. Someone had mentioned it was intended as an anti theft measure in the event someone jimmied the lock with a screwdriver.

So, there are posts where people employed a temp fix of drilling and puttin a screw or in my case a headless allen screw to apply pressure to the cylinder so it won't rotate. As of late I simply get a new cylinder from the dealer and install it. It should last another 15 years. Lotsa posts on how to use a bobby pin to help remove the lock cylinder for replacement.

I can look up posts for you if you like. Cheers!

 

[hard top]

View: https://youtu.be/tETEtb5Yr_o
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[jonco]

With regard to ignition lock comments this has happened on mine twice - first one was with engine running and unable to switch off.
So far I have been unable to get the barrel out using the pin method previously mentioned. Suspect whatever has broken off is preventing removal.
Fortunately I have been able to re-enage it by removing the red ignition switch from the bottom of the cylinder and turning the centre shaft and ignition key. You can also stop/start the car by inserting a flat blade into the switch and turning ( the key needs to be in the barrel).

 

[BlackBMWs]

The bobby pin removal technique is interesting. Most times I can get the cylinder out in less than a minute, once, it took me about 45 min playing with it, praying to the key and BMW gods. Cussing then someone granted me the luck and it popped out. Definitely have to hit the right point to get it to release.

 

[jonco]

[QUOTE="BlackBMWs, post: 194754, member: 4145]........ Definitely have to hit the right point to get it to release.[/QUOTE]

Not managed that yet. In the paperwork I inherited with the car was an invoice for a replacement lock cylinder so I have wondered if that was fitted correctly. Looking at the diagrams it appears to be a simple slot engagement - so not much to get wrong. Apologies - this has gone off your original topic.