Alarm System and Locks..

[Wayne 962]

I really should know this, but I can't figure it out.

My wife did something with her '93 325is, so that when I hit the top button to lock the car, the locks go down, the car chirps, and then one second later, the locks pop back up again. It does this also if you try to lock the car door with the door open.

Did she accidentally set something incorrectly, or is there a faulty switch, that makes the car think the door is open?

I'm curious...

-Wayne

[Wayne 962]

Anyone have any thoughts?

-Wayne

[jenmcd]

Roundel, The BMW CCA magazine, has a tech guy. Not sure if tou have to be a member for this service. The magazine alone is worth the $ 35.00 annual dues.
Mike Miller
techtalk@roundel.org

I'll also ask around tommorow at the BMW CCA DE, PIR.

[kuczwara]

it might be the door switch. does the car ever have the dome light go on for no reason? there might be a short in the door switch on either side. might just need some cleaning.

[Wayne 962]

I thought about that. No dome light when this happens. It's also very consistent. First time pop-up. Second time not. My wife thinks that she accidentally programmed something into the alarm.

I was just wondering if anyone out there had experienced any thing similar. Does not do it if you manually lock the doors with the keys...

-Wayne

[oilhead]

I had a similar problem with the power locks on my 86 325e. Turned out to be a mechanical problem with the interior driver's door release handle. If the release lever was not flush with the door panel, the power locks would engage for a moment, then switch back to the open position. Replacing the lever solved the problem. This may not be the answer, but worth a look.

[Wayne 962]

That's a great clue - yes, considering that they will do that if you're pulling the handle!

-Wayne

[bsaffin]

Wayne, did you ever figure this out? I'm a new owner of a '96 328ic and just recently I've been having the problem where I'll be driving over a rough patch of pavement, and all of a sudden both doors will lock. I can unlock them with the central switch, and then the next rough patch they'll lock again. It sounds different but similar to what you were experiencing. I'm new to these cars so don't know where to look.

...Bruce

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Sounds like what happened on my own car, turned out to be the microswitch on the inside of the driver's door handle, it shorted, causing the central locking system to go crazy.