Central Locking Intermittent

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dazthephot
Joined: Wed 09 Apr, 2008 18:58
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  Z3 roadster 1.9i
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Central Locking Intermittent

Post by dazthephot »

Hi all,
My offside central locking is working one day then not the next. Is there an obvious answer or should I look for a new lock receiver?
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BladeRunner919
Joined: Fri 17 Feb, 2012 20:18
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  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: Central Locking Intermittent

Post by BladeRunner919 »

Probably a damaged wire in the wiring loom to the boot lid. The wiring breaks as it gets flexed back and forth every time the boot opens and closes. Fairly common. You need to have a look under the outer insulation.
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dazthephot
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Re: Central Locking Intermittent

Post by dazthephot »

Thank you I will check that first. Is there an easy couple of points to check continuity?
Trevsky
Joined: Tue 26 Jul, 2011 21:57
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  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Leeds

Re: Central Locking Intermittent

Post by Trevsky »

If its not the wiring loom it could be the actuator solenoid. Mine started in exactly the same way. I fixed it with a second hand solenoid and have had no more trouble. The other side has now started to do the same so I have bought another one ready to (hopefully) fix that too. Seems to be quite a common problem. There is a good artical in the knowledgebase.
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dazthephot
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Re: Central Locking Intermittent

Post by dazthephot »

Thanks Trevsky, I take it the actuator is behind the door card on the actual lock?
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dazthephot
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Re: Central Locking Intermittent

Post by dazthephot »

Also, would a standard E36 BMW one fit?
Trevsky
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  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Leeds

Re: Central Locking Intermittent

Post by Trevsky »

Yes you need to take the door card off and it is mounted on the door lock mechanism behind the handle. If you search on ebay you may see the complete door lock and actuator assembly as sold by scrap yards. You can either replace the whole lot or remove the actuator and retain your original lock mechanism. I gave mine a good clean up and oil before putting it back.
I'm sorry I don't know if the E36 is the same, possibly different part numbers but you should find one on ebay. Incidentally if you just want the actuator solenoid itself they are the same both sides.
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dazthephot
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Re: Central Locking Intermittent

Post by dazthephot »

Nice one, thanks for the advice.
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Robert T
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Re: Central Locking Intermittent

Post by Robert T »

This might not apply in every case, but if your locking is currently intermittent, then does the actuator sound like it is struggling? Mine did this before it gave up the ghost completely - and that needed a replacement actuator. For a wiring fault, I'd expect it to either work or not work, but not sound as if it was struggling.

Cheers R.
Arctic Silver '99 Z3 1.9 & Black '59 Frogeye 1275cc
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dazthephot
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Re: Central Locking Intermittent

Post by dazthephot »

Yeh it was struggling whilst being intermittent. Now it's completely kaput. I have a growing list of jobs and I wish I had a bigger garage.
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TitanTim
Joined: Mon 23 Jun, 2008 18:56
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Re: Central Locking Intermittent

Post by TitanTim »

The central locking on mine acted up intermittently for quite some time before it died, so if the doors and boot don't unlock via the keyfob I would say boot loom which mine was.

Tim.
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2001 Z3 1.9 Roadster Sport - 2012 Z4 sDrive 2.0 M Sport
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dazthephot
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Re: Central Locking Intermittent

Post by dazthephot »

It's only the driver side. The boot and passenger work fine so I'm guessing it's just the one actuator.
t-tony
Joined: Sun 21 Feb, 2010 23:17
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  Z3 roadster 2.0
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Re: Central Locking Intermittent

Post by t-tony »

I had this problem on my 2000 car last spring,checked all wiring etc. Eventually traced fault to n/s door solenoid. Replaced with a part sourced at Euro Car parts in Lincoln at £36(trade). This fixed the problem,been fine ever since. Took about 45 mins to fit.
"Knowledge and experience are not always the same"
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dazthephot
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Re: Central Locking Intermittent

Post by dazthephot »

Thanks tony.
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