Troubleshooting Door Actuator

[duperdog]

I started having intermittent locking issues last fall before I stored the car for the winter. Right around that time, the passenger door lock pin disappeared. I'm guessing they are related and I need a new actuator, but is there any way to confirm that that is my issue before tearing the door apart?

[sapote]

I started having intermittent locking issues last fall

Both with key fob and console button?

Maybe the dirty actuator but most of the time it's the GM5 pitted relay contact needs cleaning

[duperdog]

Both with key fob and console button?

Maybe the dirty actuator but most of the time it's the GM5 pitted relay contact needs cleaning

Neither fob nor the center console button work. I also checked fuses, no issues there. I ordered a GM5 module off eBay and will throw that in and see if that resolves it

Thanks.

[enjoy_m3]

just fyi, GM5 Module has to be programmed to the car. Make sure your battery is at full charge capacity because it can cause issues also. bmwgm5module repair can also help

[Gt4]

just fyi, GM5 Module has to be programmed to the car. Make sure your battery is at full charge capacity because it can cause issues also. bmwgm5module repair can also help

If you buy a good working condition gm5 module with exact same spec car as yours, you can just install it and make it work buy holding key fob and turning ignition switch 5 times to position 2

[sapote]

Neither fob nor the center console button work. I also checked fuses, no issues there. I ordered a GM5 module off eBay and will throw that in and see if that resolves it

Thanks.

I would connect inpa and read the GM5 status > Digital, to see if it detects the console lock button activation. If it does detect then the door lock relay contacts are pitted, which just needs to be cleaned. I used a small wire cutter to carefully cut open the top of the relay plastic housing, then cut more if needed to see the contacts inside, then used the Xactor back side (sharp 90 corners) to scrap off the pitted contacts. Work like new again.

[tnord]

piggybacking on this thread......

my drivers side door doesn't lock/unlock with the key fob, but the trunk and passenger side works. central locking button on the interior also work. based on some general E46 searching it's not the GM5 module, and it's not a problem with the key, which leaves me the lock actuator I think?

[Stilt]

piggybacking on this thread......

my drivers side door doesn't lock/unlock with the key fob, but the trunk and passenger side works. central locking button on the interior also work. based on some general E46 searching it's not the GM5 module, and it's not a problem with the key, which leaves me the lock actuator I think?

I'd say it's the actuator since the pass works. This happened to me; I couldn't lock my car for about 4 weeks, lol. Just swap in the new actuator and you should be good (that's what I did, no problems with it).

[duperdog]

Just a follow up. I rechecked the fuse and lo and behold it was bad when I checked with multimeter instead of just visual! Lesson learned.

[RockyMtnM3]

Glad you got it fixed!

I just went through a similar issue where the passenger door was double locked. Trouble-shot and replaced everything I could before ultimately sending the GM5 off to Scotty @ BMWGM5.com. Huge shoutout to Scotty and his work so if you ever have issues I'd highly recommend checking out his website!