Having a door lock problem

[CroughtonE32]

This never happened before. I notice for the past few days when I hit my single button alarm to unlock all four doors, three unlock but the passenger front door button doesn't pop up enough. I have to reach in and pull it up about a half inch to complete the unlock. Happens the same way if I use the key in that door. The button comes up but not quite enough. Any ideas. Thanks
Jeff

[shogun]

I had the same symptoms, you probably need new grommets, had the same some weeks back on my pass door and on my driver door several years back. Replaced the grommets and all is fine. With age these grommets crack and fall out of loaction and then the links / linkages do no longer fit. Then the motor tries to move the lock linkages, but due to the missing grommets it does not work.
So the door panel has to come off http://bmwe32.masscom.net/sean750/do...gDoorPanel.htm
then look here http://bmwe32.masscom.net/sean750/do...kMechanism.htm no need to drill it open, just clean and spray in new grease there
and then you need http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=41_0701
08 Grommet 2 51211937233 $0.65 black ones, basically same style, but the black one seems to be a bit harder than white ones
08 Grommet 2 52208238999 $0.40 white http://www.realoem.com/bmw/photos/52208238999

13 Grommet 4 52208238999 $0.40 white http://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/show...diagId=41_0704

You might need to remove the outer doorhandle cover with the doorhandle gaskets, because if you want to remove the doorhandle compl., there is one bolt and the lock ring for the key hole.
But that your experienced friend and mechanic knows. He will probably first take off the doorpanel to check if the bracket is not broken , which of course is also often the case http://bmwe32.masscom.net/johan/door...k_bracket.html

[CroughtonE32]

Thanks Erich. I'll just order the grommets. Whether I need them or not, so when I drop the car off, he'll have what he needs in case that's all it is. Cheap enough, and probably will save time. If it's more serious, he can replace them anyway while the panel is off.
Jeff

[CroughtonE32]

I just noticed you said 2 black ones and 2 white ones. Part numbers are good. Very cheap. Then you said 4 white ones. Same part number. Is that a total of 6 white and 2 black.

[shogun]

yes, that is the total. I posted 2 diagrams and the total is 6 white and 2 black.
pic of broken grommet https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...or-door-handle

[CroughtonE32]

Thank you. Ordered, and done.

[shogun]

In case you cannot get them locally, I have both types on stock if needed, but that would take 2 weeks to arrive, better buy locally.

[CroughtonE32]

Already ordered them from BavAuto online. I didn't know you had them. They were pretty cheap and I'm in no rush. Either they'll come right away, usually three or four days, and if not I'll get a message that it'll be an extra week. Always works like that with them. I have my PIAA low and high beam 9005 and 9006 bulbs coming from them tomorrow. I took pictures of my lights on at night, and will compare after I install these bright white bulbs. Small upgrade, but looks like a real DIY. Let's hope the wiring and connectors don't disintegrate when I touch them.

[shogun]

That is my grommets emergency stock for me and wrenching buddies, I do not want to sell them, but just in case you had probs to find them, I would have sent them to you.

[vwleadfoot]

My fingers are crossed that your door handle bracketry isn't broken. I had to fix the one on my drivers door for the same symptoms. Also, point of note. I recently had a huge scare when my locks went out of synch after working on the drivers door. The door locked but would not unlock, and therefore was stuck in locked, and closed mode. (door handle no worky and would not manually unlock.) I discovered that my locks were out of synch( thank you Bentley manual). Phew! what a relief. I was getting ready to cut open a door card to find out what was wrong. Turned out all I had to do was go to the passenger door and lock and unlock the car once and all was well.

[CroughtonE32]

My fingers are crossed that your door handle bracketry isn't broken. I had to fix the one on my drivers door for the same symptoms. Also, point of note. I recently had a huge scare when my locks went out of synch after working on the drivers door. The door locked but would not unlock, and therefore was stuck in locked, and closed mode. (door handle no worky and would not manually unlock.) I discovered that my locks were out of synch( thank you Bentley manual). Phew! what a relief. I was getting ready to cut open a door card to find out what was wrong. Turned out all I had to do was go to the passenger door and lock and unlock the car once and all was well.

Well lucky for me everything is in sync. Maybe 15 years or so ago they went out of sync, and I watched my mechanic walk around to my passenger door and do something with the key. Some sort of extra turn, I don't remember, but in three seconds everything was back to normal. I remember him throwing the keys back at me saying "we're done". I never asked. I'm just waiting for my grommets to come in the mail. Then I'll drop the car off at the guy who does my work. Let him fix it and since it's there, even though it's early, I'll have him do an oil and filter change. Usually do that myself, but I'm out of both at the moment. I'm thinking it's a grommet because all four go up and down, but only the passenger side comes up 3/4 of the way. Literally, only have to pull it up 1/4 of an inch for it to be open. We'll see.

[tsmcg161]

I got the same problem as Croughton has, exactly the same. Just started yesterday. Ordered from BMW of south Atlanta. Grommets unfortunately are in Germany, 10-14 days out.

[shogun]

Already fixed meanwhile? straycatannie had the same problem last year https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...light=grommets

[CroughtonE32]

I just received the grommets from BavAuto yesterday. Six white and Two black. Now, when I have the time I'll have my mechanic do the fix. I'll be a pest and watch him. Maybe snap some pics for the future.

[tsmcg161]

I got mine also. Just got done with the repair and what a difference. The original culprit was the black one. All of them were bad. The bowden cable on both ends and the door lock button. All the slop is gone on the repaired passenger door. Im glad I bought enough to do all the doors and when one door closes another one opens. I think my torque converter is about to take a crap on me. Very weird growling noise coming out of the bell housing area. Obviously one of the next future posts.

[shogun]

Jeff, did you already fix the door locking?

[straycatannie]

Yes my issue was solved with the grommets replaced. There are two on the Bowman cable and a couple on the door lock pin. The black one is on the actuator shaft I believe mine was OK so I replaced it anyway while inside. If you are doing it yourself remember to take off door pin cover and pull straight up to remove the door panel and plastic clip intact. Also remember the orientation of linkage. I took some pictures with my phone because it is hard to see in there. Dark and small opening. Not a hard job with the help of the threads.

[CroughtonE32]

[QUOTE=shogun;29698312]Jeff, did you already fix the door locking?[/QUOTE

I did not as yet Erich. I have the eight grommets but have not had the time to drop off the car. Trying to find a day when I can just drive over to my guy and wait around while he pulls off the door panel and replaces them all. Good ones and bad ones, since I have them all. Will do it soon. Thanks for checking.
Jeff

[shogun]

Have done it today on another E32. In case you want to replace all white and black grommets, then you have to disassemble more, especially the one black one which holds the lever can most probably only be reached/installed, when you remove the door panel, remove outer door handle cover, unbolt the lock handle and remove it, this also requires that you slightly disassemble the window mechanism. But can be done within 1 hour when you know where the grommets go.
The white grommets are a bit wider and longer, maybe 1 mm compared to the black ones, and the material of the black ones is harder.

[shogun]

@CroughtonE32
installed the grommets meanwhile?
Problem solved with that?

[CroughtonE32]

Thanks Erich for remembering a problem I had back in 2017. Yes that was all fixed. My guy took the grommets that I received and added a few of his own that he had in stock and decided since it was a problem in one door, he'd replace in all four doors. He's like that. That problem went away a long time ago, thank god.I made two trips to him this entire year. I made a list of everything that was bothering me small or large, and he's fixed them all. Since Giuseppe passed away I sort of let things go, but as of yesterday with my crazy Cat problem everything is back in order. There were two lists. The first was this

Fix Windows (Drivers side, front and rear)

Replace Battery OEM if possible

Replace Voltage Regulator (enclosed) Alternator is original, I thought a new voltage regulator was a good idea. New long brushes.

Replace Purge Valve (enclosed) Was also original. Replaced just because it was 32 years old.

Ash Tray Fix if possible Done.

Fix lose emblem on front grill

Oil and filter change

OEM Radio replacement and mount CD changer in trunk.
Could not do this until the Pioneer KE83 radio went to California for complete rebuild. New cassette belts, New lighting and new volume control....DONE.


The second trip was this and all is done.

Fix rattling noise under center of car. Clamp…Heat Shield…who knows? Was the Cat.

Adjust glove box strut and flashlight holder.

Fix rear passenger door light.

Fix dome light. A new complete dome light is available if center switch is unable to be cleaned and fixed. I would order it from Germany for next service. Did not need to order part. He adjusted switches and now all is perfect.

Mount CD changer.

Remove XM radio controller by gearshift. I cancelled subscription. Just clip wire and hide it under wood. He decided not to do this half ass so he removed it completely wires and all.

Replace hood and trunk struts. Hood and trunk were both falling on my head every once in a while. I ordered struts for both. Two came from Romania and two from Germany. Now the hood and trunk open and close tight like new. Only replaced these once before about 20 years ago when the car was in its 12th year.

Replace left and right front grilles with new clips and BMW club badges. Both black Grills were getting lose, so I ordered the left and right one with new clips from Germany. Took seven weeks to get here but they look just great with my emblems attached nice and tight with some lock tight in the rear. Those club emblems get lose after a while. He thought I was crazy to order the two grills, but that's just me. Some things are important to some people.

Check all front end parts and especially drive shaft that might be causing shutter intermittently at all speeds and sometimes when braking. It’s not only front or rear, but the entire car. All checked out perfectly. Blames the shutter on some flat spots he sees on tires from sitting in the garage for weeks at a time. Nothing to touch. Car drove home from the shop (50 miles) smooth as can be. He rotated and re balanced the Alpinas with road force balancing on the Hunter machine and the car rides like it's on glass now.

Discuss MAF and mileage loss. He gave the Air flow meter a really good cleaning but all was well. Not a single fault code in this car.

Changed the plugs and after 8 years and about 20,000 miles the old ones looked great. Nothing wet in there and he replaced them with the same Bosch W8LCR I believe. I can't remember off hand, but they are the only plugs I've ever used. Nothing fancy, just what came with the car.

Car sounds just great now and everything, even the little things are working just fine.

What a long answer to "are your grommets fixed yet from four years ago". Once I start typing about my E32 I just can't stop.
Jeff

[Cactuar]

I commend you for your top notch maintenance Jeff! The car must be really nice to drive.

[Sansouci]

Jeff,
Your love of the e32 knows no bounds! It seems to be a full time proposition but with Covid, definitely a worthwhile "close-to-home" activity. Have you looked at the new Hagerty garage in Boynton? A bit pricey for storage but a model garage if you have $$$ to build one.
Warm regards

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[shogun]

Links updated , former Johan and Sean pages
https://www.shiftbmw.com/model/e32/d...ked-rear-door/
https://www.shiftbmw.com/model/e32/doorlock-bracket/
https://www.shiftbmw.com/model/e32/doorlock-mechanism/
https://www.shiftbmw.com/model/e32/d...k-microswitch/