B3.3 E46 keys and locks - Help!

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Mr Scruff
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B3.3 E46 keys and locks - Help!

Post by Mr Scruff » Sat Jan 16, 2021 7:12 pm

Two problems raised their heads today for me....

1) key stopped working. Changed batteries and worked initially then stopped, another battery didn’t fix either. Also tried to reconnect using the standard ignition on/off key presses and no luck. Any ideas as to what to do next? Car still runs fine.

2) As the remote wasn’t working I went to lock it with the key, and discovered I don’t actually have a manual lock on the car! Seems when previous owner replaced the door he didn’t transfer over the lock. Can BMW supply me a lock to fit my key? Any other alternatives?

At the moment the car is unlocked, and I’ve got no way to actually secure it. Any way I can lock it on the key without a visible lock?

AG
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Re: B3.3 E46 keys and locks - Help!

Post by AG » Sun Jan 17, 2021 12:12 pm

No lock? So you have the barrel to insert the key but no lock behind it? How odd. Have you have the door card off to confirm that?

I suppose BMW could supply a lock but its going to be costly, if a new key is circa £150 then who knows what a lock assembly would be. no idea on the process though or whether that's doable.
Former BMW CC 7 register chairman

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Rav
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Re: B3.3 E46 keys and locks - Help!

Post by Rav » Sun Jan 17, 2021 5:48 pm

The only way forward would be buy a complee set of locks with keys from a breaker car and re-install in the car.
1999 #032 Alpina B3 3.3 saloon (UK Press Car) - Buchloe Beast
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Mr Scruff
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Re: B3.3 E46 keys and locks - Help!

Post by Mr Scruff » Sun Jan 17, 2021 8:44 pm

A good point, I’ve not had the door card off, will take a look.

Issue is that I simply don’t have a keyhole on the door! Instead of parts 9 and 11 on the below I have part 21. Breaker writing on the part shows it as being from the rear door of a saloon.
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ScooBeeFive
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Re: B3.3 E46 keys and locks - Help!

Post by ScooBeeFive » Sun Jan 17, 2021 9:16 pm

It was quite fashionable to ‘de-lock’ cars at one point wasn’t it by doing just this - using a door handle without the lock in it. All very good for a clean look but a nightmare in situations like this.
Paul

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Henry
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Re: B3.3 E46 keys and locks - Help!

Post by Henry » Sun Jan 17, 2021 10:07 pm

Delocking was very fashionable on VWs. My r32 was delocked because you could insert a flat blade screwdriver and unlock the car. What was more annoying was that VW supplied the kit but wouldn’t admit there was a problem and fix it. You could get a lock and key from a scrap yard and fit but would then need to carry two keys. Don’t know if you could reprogram a lock to another key or not. Is the boot lock the same as a door lock to do a swap? You can use the key fob or interior button to do the boot.
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Henry
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Re: B3.3 E46 keys and locks - Help!

Post by Henry » Sun Jan 17, 2021 10:22 pm

Just looked up the part numbers for the locks. Different p/n for each door and boot. It does say however that the locks are programmable so perhaps it’s possible to buy a lock and program to your key.
B3 1999 (090)
E30 M3 1990
X5 4.6is
VW Mk4 R32

AG
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Re: B3.3 E46 keys and locks - Help!

Post by AG » Tue Jan 19, 2021 1:05 pm

but new locks = separate keys to the ignition, so if the OP is happy with 2 or 3 keys then thats the route to go down. Unless that is when the car is removed the locks are still there requiring a change of part number 21 with item 9!
Former BMW CC 7 register chairman

2000 e39 B10 V8 Touring
1985 e23 B10 (sold)
1995 B3 saloon switchtronic (sold)

Mr Scruff
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Re: B3.3 E46 keys and locks - Help!

Post by Mr Scruff » Thu Jan 21, 2021 10:56 am

I've ordered new internals for the key, so let's see if that helps.

When the weekend finally arrives I'll take the door card off and see what I actually have. I think it might be a case of talking to BMW and see if they can provide a lock programmed configured to my existing keys as Henry suggest. £150 for a key seems very cheap to me (replacement key for my 911 was scary expensive!) - if a lock is in the same ballpark then I don't mind getting my wallet out.

Car only does about 1,000 miles a year, cost per mile is remarkably high :lol:

Mr Scruff
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Re: B3.3 E46 keys and locks - Help!

Post by Mr Scruff » Mon Mar 22, 2021 9:45 am

Bump for a frustrating update/cathartic rant!

Decided to go for a new key from BMW - no messing around, let's go to the source. £180. Ouch. Drove home, it doesn't turn in the ignition. Bum.

Key works in boot lock, suggestion is that the ignition barrel is just worn out and needs replaced. Ho hum, ok, wallet back out and another similar amount for a new ignition barrel and door lock while I'm at it.

Fitted the new barrel yesterday - I can now turn the key and successfully coded to the car but it doesn't disable the immobliser. I was hoping by going direct to BMW I could avoid excess hassle, seemingly not. Previous key still starts the car fine.

Oh, and I can't fit the new door lock as the door has previously been replaced with a post facelift one, so the mounting screw angle is just slightly out of alignment...

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