Lock info

[P. Kennedy]

Since I bought this car last July, the key won't turn in the driver's door lock, passenger door lock or trunk lock. I guess I should be thankful it works in the ignition. To make matters worse, I only have ONE key!

Door / trunk actuators from BMA are like $130 apiece new (nearly $400 for all three! - about the value of my car!)

Anyone have any fixes for this scenario and / or used actuators available? Oh, and the pin on my gas filler flap is broken off too. Easy to remove / install?

[RED IS 91]

Sounds like someone put a new ignition in ,then broke off the lock bar for the fuel tank door. My son lost the keys to his car (90 300zx) and we had to remove the passenger side lock and bring it to a locksmith. He then made a key .
Cost $20 bucks.
If you do that then you'll have two keys ,one for the doors and one for the ignition.
good luck

[haledj]

I would guess that someone changed out the ignition cylinder and not the other locks. I would go to the dealer and have them make a key from the VIN. Worst case is you end up with an extra key and no progress with your problem.

EDIT: fine, you win REDIS91

[P. Kennedy]

Good suggestions.

[Wise Old Dog]

I have the same problem except I do not have the power locks. My dealer tells me that they can not make a key from my VIN. Too old of a car.

[haledj]

I have the same problem except I do not have the power locks. My dealer tells me that they can not make a key from my VIN. Too old of a car.


I would check with other dealers if you can. I had a key made at a dealer a couple years back, or just do what redis91 said.

[P. Kennedy]

Turns out (after a search) I DO have another key, or at least the hollow shell of one. The black plastic part is all broken (no battery, no light) but it does actuate the doors and trunk! Yay! Locks the central systems easily, but I have to grab the key in a pair of pliers to unlock it. Had me sweating bullets for a few minutes, as I was locked out of the car. Perhaps the actuators just need some lubricant or maybe something is a little bent in there. I'll have a look if we ever get above freezing here in SE WI. I have a stereo install waiting on operable door locks, so we'll see what I can accomplish.

Should I lube the locks with graphite or something else?

[RED IS 91]

First Thing To Do Is Get Some Keys Made;)

[gearheadE30]

Graphite works great, but nothing beats having a real key ;)

[teamgtnfx01]

find a parts car and take all the locks and the ignition off of it

[P. Kennedy]

Anyone have a parts car, and could provide both door locks, trunk lock and ignition? Never hurts to ask.

[P. Kennedy]

I called a couple of local BMW dealerships today. They both told me you must order keys from the factory, and could cost $200+ if the key has a chip in it (obviously ours do not) and even $60 - 90 for an E30 key.

Ace Hardware here I come.

[haledj]

Ace had BMW blanks when I checked last. I paid ~$5 for a couple spare keys.

[hoevesruperd]

i had problems finding a locksmith that had the right model of ilco key so a bmw is probably harder to find. although i've seen on ebay some blanks witht the bmw plastic logo and light for cheap you might want to try looking there

[P. Kennedy]

In the immortal words of Jesse Jackson: "Keep hope alive!"

[pbgd3skier]

Just get the key made, the blank is not uncommon at Wally World and many ace hardwares and such will have the ILCO blank. Worry about getting a bmw blank later on, you'll have those ILCO's to keep in your sock drawer or so someone can mail it to you if lost.

The actuators shouldn't require lubrication, and you would have to open the door to do that (they are electric)

The tumblers perhaps could use it.

Lucky yours work, many actuators do not due to the little round ball that turns the rear end of it.

[P. Kennedy]

I took the inner door panels off and sprayed WD-40 all over the mechanisms. Made an incredible difference. Still requires some effort to unlock, but both doors work 90% better. Trunk...is another matter. Can't get it to turn at all. I will dismantle it and find out what the trouble may be.

E-bay has some Ilco key blanks, and I will stop by Ace tomorrow. My ignition key has an inoperable LED / battery. I am also stopping by a dealership tomorrow to replace the LED bulb and / or battery. It'd be the cat's jammies having an LED key. Had one with my E30 M3. Loved it.