central locking 88 320i convertible

[Jan Scrivens]

Hi, I'm a new BMW owner and have just bought a 1988 320i convertible. It was advertised as having central locking, but either it doesn't work or doesn't exist, I'm not sure which? Can any one let me know if that model should have C/L? Thanks a lot, Jan

[jeffreyb4me]

all '88 USA E30's had C.L., EURO cars ?? but it's easy to find out. open the trunk and look directly below the trunk latch for an actuator and it's linkage to the latch, if it's there, you've got C.L.
next, if it's inop., and after testing the fuses, the next most common failure is the C.L. control unit behind the L/F speaker in the foot well.......there's a safety 'fuse' inside that fails and * * NOTE * * *'unsafely' resoldered to 'repair' the unit...........'unsafe' because, in a crash, unit unlocks the doors then 'fries' the 'safety fuse' so the doors can't become electrically locked or 'deadbolted' impeding exit from the vehicle..........
hope this helps you.

[Jan Scrivens]

Thanks Jeffrey I'll check it out. Jan