2006 BMW 323i Passenger side doors won't open or lock by key, only manually?

moninder · 10-20-2011, 09:36 AM

Both back and front passenger side doors dont open or lock with the remote or with the inside lock button either. It only works manually. I can hear the motors trying to get it up and I do see them trying to budge , but dont know.

mike3000fl · 10-20-2011, 09:48 AM

sounds like it could be the power door lock actuator. there is a small plastic gear in there that cracks or breaks, stopping a metal rod attached to it from being able to unlock the dock. the motor will be good, just the gears are f-ed. they redesigned the door lock actuator because this is a common problem.

only thing is, it is weird both would have went out at once. did this happen at the same time or over a period of time?

anyway, my door lock did the exact thing you describe and it was the actuator.

moninder · 10-20-2011, 05:07 PM

Yea the weird thing is, I just bought and it was working when I bought it , but on the way home it happened and then it didnt lock, and it was just that side.

mike3000fl · 10-20-2011, 08:09 PM

if you get brave or bored, you could look up the DIY for fixing the door actuator. Its in the DIY forum on this site.

basically you remove the door panel without destroying it. then undo some cables and connectors...

behind the door panel theres a plastic vapor barrier that is sealed to the door with some nasty black rubber goolike caulk material, i just cut through the caulk with a razor blade, it will press back together after so no worries.

there are some funky torx bits you need to remove the door panel behind the trim, so have those on hand before you start.

one that panel is off you should be able to see better what is wrong.

this is kind of a small pain in the ass so you could try changing out fuses first. some people have replaced the original fuse with a higher amperage one with some success.

you can buy the lock actuators on ebay for $50. its a pain to actually remove and reinstall because you are working inside the door and it is cramped.

moninder · 10-21-2011, 03:48 PM

Turns out the locks were just sticking, so a little wiggle from the inside got them up

queensfield · 10-21-2011, 09:32 PM

Good to hear it was a simple fix. But keep in mind the power lock actuator as mike3000fl stated. It is a common failure point. They were apparently redesigned and changed in later year cars.

10-20-2011, 09:36 AM	#1
moninder Registered 2 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 323i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: B.C iTrader: (0)	2006 BMW 323i Passenger side doors won't open or lock by key, only manually? Both back and front passenger side doors dont open or lock with the remote or with the inside lock button either. It only works manually. I can hear the motors trying to get it up and I do see them trying to budge , but dont know.
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10-20-2011, 09:48 AM	#2
mike3000fl Banned 138 Rep 2,731 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tampa iTrader: (0)	sounds like it could be the power door lock actuator. there is a small plastic gear in there that cracks or breaks, stopping a metal rod attached to it from being able to unlock the dock. the motor will be good, just the gears are f-ed. they redesigned the door lock actuator because this is a common problem. only thing is, it is weird both would have went out at once. did this happen at the same time or over a period of time? anyway, my door lock did the exact thing you describe and it was the actuator.
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10-20-2011, 05:07 PM	#3
moninder Registered 2 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 323i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: B.C iTrader: (0)	Yea the weird thing is, I just bought and it was working when I bought it , but on the way home it happened and then it didnt lock, and it was just that side.
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10-20-2011, 08:09 PM	#4
mike3000fl Banned 138 Rep 2,731 Posts Drives: 06 330i Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Tampa iTrader: (0)	if you get brave or bored, you could look up the DIY for fixing the door actuator. Its in the DIY forum on this site. basically you remove the door panel without destroying it. then undo some cables and connectors... behind the door panel theres a plastic vapor barrier that is sealed to the door with some nasty black rubber goolike caulk material, i just cut through the caulk with a razor blade, it will press back together after so no worries. there are some funky torx bits you need to remove the door panel behind the trim, so have those on hand before you start. one that panel is off you should be able to see better what is wrong. this is kind of a small pain in the ass so you could try changing out fuses first. some people have replaced the original fuse with a higher amperage one with some success. you can buy the lock actuators on ebay for $50. its a pain to actually remove and reinstall because you are working inside the door and it is cramped.
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10-21-2011, 03:48 PM	#5
moninder Registered 2 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 323i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: B.C iTrader: (0)	Fixed Turns out the locks were just sticking, so a little wiggle from the inside got them up
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10-21-2011, 09:32 PM	#6
queensfield First Lieutenant 21 Rep 364 Posts Drives: 2006 330i E90 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: So Cal iTrader: (0)	Good to hear it was a simple fix. But keep in mind the power lock actuator as mike3000fl stated. It is a common failure point. They were apparently redesigned and changed in later year cars.
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