Author Topic: Central Locking Question (Read 8041 times)

stevohill · « **on:** March 31, 2006, 12:01:06 PM »

I just wanted to know if all e30's came with it. For some reason(blown fuse, bad relay?) my doesn't. It's never worked since I bought the car, but last night I was having a discussion with some people about e30's and they said they've never heard of an e30 without central locking. Anyone caring to shed some light on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

Febi Guibo · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2006, 12:19:00 PM »

i've been wrong before (hard to believe, I know) ...but you should have central locking. If you unlock the trunk, do your doors unlock too? Maybe the previous owner installed an aftermarket alarm thing?

Zoso · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2006, 12:46:37 PM »

If I recall correctly, only the early model E30s didn't have central locking. If you have a 91, you have central locking.

stevohill · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2006, 05:12:32 PM »

see thats what I've heard too, but even if I lock/unlock from the trunk, it doesn't do anything. I checked the fuse, I think it was 27 or 28, and it was fine. Does anyone know off the top of their head, or can direct me to what relay it would be controlling it? I unfortunately don't have a bentleys or haynes to help me out on this one.

asubimmer · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2006, 11:12:09 PM »

hmm...I don't think I have it also. It has never unlocked like that on mine and I was told that my car didn't come w/ it from the prev owner. Would carfax tell us? Maybe since mine is sunroofless, mine is a very base model?

stevohill · « **Reply #5 on:** April 01, 2006, 09:02:12 AM »

Well it seems like mine was custom ordered with these options possibly, I'll have to looks through my massive folder of all the records and check out whats going on. I thought iS were supposed to be the top of the line "loaded" cars with everything in them, but only features in my are the still stock premium radio(which sounds suprisingly really good for being 15 years old) and power windows. I have the manual sunroof, which makes me wonder if mine didn't have power door locks.

HrdChrgr · « **Reply #6 on:** April 01, 2006, 04:30:36 PM »

Quote from: stevohill

I have the manual sunroof, which makes me wonder if mine didn't have power door locks.

I've also got the crank sunroof. Not sure if this will shed light or confuse further, but I have an Alpine alarm (not sure when it was installed) but my remote only locks/unlocks the driver side door. I don't even know if the central lock mechanism is installed for the pass door, but when locking/unlocking the driver side with the key the lock feels sticky - kind of stiff. The pass side is crisp and smooth with the key.

sheepdog · « **Reply #7 on:** April 01, 2006, 11:16:47 PM »

To my understanding the 318IS had 2 options, color and sunroof.

There is a fuse for central locking and then there is the central locking computer. The whole systems seems like so much fun.

I may tackle mine in the near future.

Grizz · « **Reply #8 on:** April 20, 2006, 08:14:29 AM »

Hey Guys. First post here! I have a 318is, 91. My story was that my PO did install an aftermarket alarm, then messed up the whole works by installing a new battery backwards, frying just about all of it. Good news for me, i got the car from him for 500, and with some wirecutters (and prayer) i managed to remove all of it, and the original electronics were fine. My model does not have a sunroof, but it does have central locks and they did work, at least for a while, they stopped recently for seemingly no reason. Fuses are fine, but i am chasing dirty relays, as the car sat for a year (uncovered, in a driveway, the CAD!) Does anyone know if there is a related relay in the fusebox, or elsewhere in the system?

Back to your point tho, have you checked inside the fuel door? There is a locking mechanism you can see that engages/disengages with the central system. If you see such a mechanism, you got locks!

Andrew

asubimmer · « **Reply #9 on:** April 20, 2006, 10:02:02 AM »

so should all 318is have central locking?

sheepdog · « **Reply #10 on:** April 20, 2006, 05:49:26 PM »

Quote from: asubimmer

so should all 318is have central locking?

To my knowledge, yes.

walters318is · « **Reply #11 on:** April 28, 2006, 11:48:35 AM »

The central locking mechanism kinda worked on mine for a while. I think that is what started all my problems with my passenger side door. The door lock on the passenger side is like constantly locked. Not sure what to do with that. Funny story about the central locking system..I never knew I had one so one day at work I locked my doors ( I don't know why) and when I left I unlocked, opened it, drove to the gas station and tried to get gas. The damn fuel door was locked too. Thats when I realized that my central locking would lock but not unlock everything. Did I look cool trying to pry open the fuel door.

sheepdog · « **Reply #12 on:** April 28, 2006, 12:28:40 PM »

Sounds like the door connector pin way be bad or corroded.

I know that is at least some of the problem with mine.

M42Iberia · « **Reply #13 on:** April 30, 2006, 12:21:32 AM »

there should be a lock actuator in the trunk under the lining.

Tonyb · « **Reply #14 on:** June 09, 2006, 12:46:43 PM »

Central locks were standard on the 91 318i and is. The only options for both models in 1991 were LSD, fog lights, sunroof, anti-theft, and metallic paint. Ellisoid lights could be had as a dealer upgrade. I found the info in Car and Driver(Sept. 1990) I also have MotorTrends Sept. issue with thier 318is write up. I will try to scan them for posting soon!

Author Topic: Central Locking Question (Read 8041 times)

HrdChrgr

Grizz

walters318is