1989 BMW 735iL - Can't lock driver's door

[astralchanteuse]

My battery was dead. I FINALLY got the passenger's door unlocked using the emergency unlock method. The battery was jumpstarted and now the car starts. I went to lock the doors with the key, and all locked except the driver's door.

What do I do??? I don't like leaving the driver's door unlocked, even though the car won't go cause it needs a new transmission.

Thanks.

[Bear]

A long shot, but the brace that supports the door lock solenoid is prone to breakage. You would need to pull the door trim panel and look at the bracket that the solenoid attaches to to determine if it is cracked or broken as miaalignment will cause the problem you describe (hapened on my 1988 750 and I had a friend weld the backet together and that was not easy as the metal is very fragile). Go to bmwe32.masscom.net for a good look at how to resolve the issue. This is Johan and Seans site and it is invaluable for E32 owners.

[astralchanteuse]

Well, it locked/unlocked a week prior. And it unlocked the day the car was jumpstarted.

The car won't start again because I suppose it needs a new battery.

All the other locks lock/unlock in unison. Do you not think this could be a safeguard of some kind?

[Bear]

Don't think so. These cars should be able to lock/unlock both mechanically and electrcially.Mechanically you unlock/lock one door and electrcally you open all (plus trunk and fuel filler door). By turning key in drivers door about 45 degrees clockwise, you lock all doors normally and by going to 90 degrees clockwise you dead bolt all door locks (you cannot even open from inside the car). I had fits with the drivers door lock on my 750 until I repaired the support bracket for the drivers door lock motor (solenoid).