'91 735iL Door Lock Assembly

[NW540]

I'm unable to unlock my 1991 735iL. Only the trunk will unlock. I'm using the same key that I've used for years. My mechanic said that it doesn't require power to unlock the doors. I can't get into my car! Any ideas or helpful hints? Of course, I can't get under the hood because the latch is inside and my battery is under the rear seat. Crazy!

[kevnumber4]

Hi, I had the same problem(I'm assuming your battery is flat) I think your mechanics wrong, if its got central locking you need power to open the door. On my 730 what I did was pull up the door handle on the PASSENGER side then turn the key forward in the lock past the point at which it feels as though it will go no further(I had to use an anxiety inducing amount of force..) the lock should pop open. One caveat. my car is right hand drive, I don't know whether that means it would be the drivers side door on an american version?

[libertylover]

Power is not required to open the door ever. kevnumber4's method to hold the handle up and turn the key is the emergency procedure. Sometimes you have to hold the handle up and turn the key back and forth several times before it will open, but it WILL open. I do it all the time.

[csieminski]

kevnumber4, no, it is apparently always the PASSENGER'S side. NW540's owner's manual is probably conveniently locked inside the car's glovebox, but the manual for my 535i (also with electronic locks) says the key must be inserted in the passenger's side door lock and turned in a clockwise direction AS the door handle is lifted. Never had to do it, but--that's what the manual says.