Locked out of boot. Help needed.

[Acousticplayer]

Hi All.I've let my battery run flat and am now locked out of the boot.Can get into the car using the key on the drivers side but can't open the boot or the passenger door.

Anyone help please?

 

[DavidM]

I've experienced this problem, and unless anyone else has a less intrusive solution, this is how to get into the boot:

Spoiler

1. Remove BMW badge from the boot lid.
2. Drill a small hole 1/8" directly in the middle of the recessed badge area.
3. Insert a small screwdriver in the hole and move the mechanism to the left which should open the boot lid.
4. Tidy up the small hole with file and touch up.
5. Insert a rubber Grummit.
6. Attach BMW badge.

 

[zedonist]

Err i don't think we should post the above publicly, could be a few Z3's gone over the holiday period...

 

[GazHyde]

I kind of agree @zedonist but it's been in the public domain for years now. There is a YouTube video posted in 2011 which shows the procedure although done without the subtlety above...

 

[DavidM]

Sorry, I've should have emphasised that this solution applies to models where the badge sits in the vertical position of the boot lid:

 

[Kit]

I thought the battery can be charged from the engine bay??

 

[DavidM]

Gaz - please remove if you think necessary.

 

[Jack Ratt]

jump start the car and take her for a short run to charge the battery

 

[zedonist]

Jack Ratt is correct you can jump the car from under the bonnet, the positive connection is on the driver side strut top

 

[Acousticplayer]

Thanks everyone. I'll try one or other of the methods and report back in due course.

 

[gookah]

could be a few Z3's gone over the holiday period...

or just a boot or two opened....
Last time I remember I had to get in the cabin. overcome the steering lock and immobiliser take the handbrake off, put it in gear and use the pedals, none of which i could do from inside the boot.....
If I wanted to take the car and had brought my drill I would use it on the door and ignition locks first.

just saying.

 

[Dino D]

Can't you just use the key to turn the boot lock manually?

 

[jakechan]

What he said, no reason the key wouldn't work if the battery is discharged

 

[Acousticplayer]

Yes tried the key but that won't work either.At the moment have a Cetek connected via the cig. lighter and it looks to be charging ok.

 

[EnthuZiaZT]

I thought the battery can be charged from the engine bay??

Hi Kit, You may be correct, you can attach a battery charger under the bonnet and charge the battery that way. Might work, without resorting to extreme violence (axe or some such tool).

Mike

 

[M666BMG]

Hi Kit, You may be correct, you can attach a battery charger under the bonnet and charge the battery that way. Might work, without resorting to extreme violence (axe or some such tool).

Mike

Yes you can the leads pop out the kidney grill

 

[Dino D]

Just remember the Z3 boot lock is a bit funny. When using the key to unlock you need to twist the key all the way anti-clockwise to unlock (so the slot is positioned like this -- )
It springs back to the vertical position ( | )after you unlock.
(It's been so many years since having to use this quaint feature of turning a key in a lock that I can't even remember if that's how's all cars were but it took me a few goes to work out how to unlock my boot with key!)

This works when my battery is disconnected (98 model). Not sure if it varies by model but seems strange to have a key lock that cannot be used without a charged battery (and then stick the battery in the boot!).

 

[Acousticplayer]

Hi Dino,thanks for that. It appears BMW did some strange things but that would be REALLY strange. Have tried the key again but no joy yet,so must be a mechanical problem. Am going to leave it on charge over night and try in the morning.

 

[Redline]

If you can connect a battery under the bonnet to jump start the car can you not connect a battery and then unlock the boot using the remote?

 

[zedonist]

or just a boot or two opened....
Last time I remember I had to get in the cabin. overcome the steering lock and immobiliser take the handbrake off, put it in gear and use the pedals, none of which i could do from inside the boot.....
If I wanted to take the car and had brought my drill I would use it on the door and ignition locks first.

just saying.

Do you take your Drill on many nights out then?