Passenger Central Locking Stopped Working

[AliRowe]

Hi everybody,

First (of many no doubt) question so please be gentle! Apologies if I've posted this in the wrong part of the forums.

I have a V reg (99) sliver 1.9l Z3 and the passenger side central locking has stopped working. The boot and drivers side both work but nothing on the passenger side. So currently when I turn the key in the drivers side lock it only unlocks the drivers side and the boot.

There is no key hole on the passenger side which makes this somewhat a pain.

Any idea how I can fix this and/or where I need to have a look at the wiring?

Cheers,

Al.

 

[jonco]

- the normal favourites for these symptoms on the slightly earlier models are either the wiring loom from body to boot lid aka `loom of doom' or passenger door lock solenoid. I've had both fail but on slightly earlier 98 model which has passenger door key. I would suggest you start with boot loom checks (there are plenty of threads on this) but others with same model may have other views.

 

[GazHyde]

Agree with Jonco on this. Open the boot, and inspect the cabling as it goes in to the boot lid. Pain to do as there are quite a few cables, and any breaks may not be easily visible.

 

[AliRowe]

OK, thanks for the advice.

Are there a specific set of checks to run through for the boot loom? I have had a quick search but can't find anything specific.

 

[jonco]

There are a few ways of checking - personally I would start by opening up the sheath at either end and pulling each wire at the ends - if they come apart then you have your answer. Worst case scenario will look something like pics below but sometimes they are not as obvious.
Wiring diagrams can be found on here http://wedophones.com/Manuals/BMW/1998 BMW Z3 - M Roadster Electrical Troubleshooting Manual.pdf

Wire colours and codes for preface lift - courtesy of @BrianH

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Just to go slightly off-topic, has anyone else had a problem with the door catches themselves? Mine unlocks properly all round, but I have to (sometimes) lift the handle and give the door a thump near the handle before it opens. Guess it's time to get the door cards off, just wondering if this has been known to happen or if it's just me. Not seen this mentioned on here before, but I've only been on here a few years.

 

[Duncraig]

My Loom of Doom today, it's a wonder there wasn't a fire or a blown fuse. Hi Level brake light now working but boot lamp still u/s

.

 

[Bampz]

Had the same issue on my 2.8 as suggested above check the loom of doom first , my issues turned out to be the door actuator easy enough to change took me about an hour and half

 

[mrscalex]

Just to go slightly off-topic, has anyone else had a problem with the door catches themselves? Mine unlocks properly all round, but I have to (sometimes) lift the handle and give the door a thump near the handle before it opens. Guess it's time to get the door cards off, just wondering if this has been known to happen or if it's just me. Not seen this mentioned on here before, but I've only been on here a few years.

I would grease the catches before taking anything apart. Sounds like a noddy suggestion but if I'd have done that first for the same issue you have, instead of repeatedly adjusting the hinges on a replacement door I was fitting, it would have saved several hours.

My ever willing helper Jimmy (my son) was there for those several hours and came up with the greasing idea. To which I said I would eat my hat if that worked but I was willing to try anything before I murdered the door. Hats are quite chewy.

 

[mrscalex]

Btw if the passenger door is dead-locked you will struggle to get the door card off without destroying it (the door card that is).

If you are unable to find the problem on the boot loom (and I can only add my agreement it's likely to be that) then you can trigger the solenoid by removing the footwell kick panel and hot wiring the connector pins. I've done this myself but didn't make a note of which colour wires to do it on. But if you are okay with wiring diagrams you will figure it out from there. Of course if it's the solenoid then things will need to get a bit more brutal to gain access.

If BrainH's key doesn't help you will find the official BMW wiring guides with a google search. But that info should help noting that you won't see mention specifically of a door wire there. The note at the top of Brian's info is the key thing though - the boot loom is part of a wider lock loom that if damaged impacts the doors.