DIY: Unlocking A BMW When The Battery Is Dead

Difficulty Level

Tools/Supplies Needed:

• vehicle's key

Procedure:

• select one of the door locks on your BMW
• insert the key into the lock
• pull the handle up
• turn the key in the clockwise position
• the key should turn just past a quarter turn
• the inside door lock should rise at the same time if equipped
• if this doesn't work, then move onto another door lock on the vehicle
• if that fails, then access the trunk, it works on a mechanical mechanism
• if the battery is located there, than supply power to the battery location
• if not, then in some situations you can supply power to the trunks interior light

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

This procedure didn't work on my one door handle, what can I do now?

Try the opposite door handle equipped with a key lock as well.

None of my door handles work, what can I do now?

Access the trunk which always operates on a manual mechanism. Some BMWs have a battery located in the trunk, therefore you can boost or charge the battery from there. If you do not have a battery in the trunk, then access the trunk light and connect a 12 volt power source to that which should power up the system and you can then use the standard electronic locks.

Video tutorial on how to unlock a BMW when the battery is either dead or disconnected. The locks do work on an electronic based system, but by using this tutorial you are able to bypass that and activate the mechanical side of the system instead. This tutorial does work on a variety of BMWs such as an E23, E24, E28, E30, E31, E32, E34, E36, E38, E38, E90, and many more. If this procedure does not work on one lock on the vehicle, move to another door lock on the vehicle. Depending on the age and mechanical condition of your handle, this procedure may not work. Trunks should be accessible without using a procedure such as this as they work on a mechanical device at all times. If you are unable to get this method to work, gain access to the trunk and some BMWs have the battery located there. From there you can power up your vehicle's electronic system and then open your locks. If your battery isn't located there, in some situations you can power up your trunk lights as it turns on automatically when the trunk is open. This in turn will power up your vehicle's electronics. This particular tutorial was done on a 1994 BMW 740i.