Re: Stranded BMW.. and owner

["Ron Buchalski" <rbuchals@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Robert,

When the driver's door lock cylinder on my E30 318i became worn, it would 
not allow me to single lock the car, and would only double lock it.  Of 
course, this can result in the situation that you describe, where no other 
locks can be opened with the key.

Your ultimate solution is to replace the driver's door lock cylinder, which 
is not a difficult thing to do, and will only cost you $30 or so for the 
parts.  Having a dealer replace it will probably cost you at least $100 in 
labor, probably more.

Until you replace the lock cylinder, you may want to do what I do...lock the 
car from the trunk lock.  That way, you'll be sure to not double lock the 
car, and will always be able to open the car from any lock (trunk, passenger 
side, driver's side).

- -rb

>
>Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 00:07:04 -0600
>From: Robert Phelan <centuri@domain.elided>
>Subject: Stranded BMW.. and owner
>
>Damn it's turned cold in the last couple of days!  This may or may not be 
>related to my problem.
>
>Returning to my car after class, I was unable to unlock the door on my 86 
>(2dr) 325es.  Suspecting it was frozen I borrowed a lighter and heated the 
>key.  After multiple attempts at that I went and bought a spray de-icer. No 
>luck there either.
>
>The cylinder seems mechanically jammed.. it doesn't want to give ANY. And 
>since I double locked the car when I went into class, I am unable to open 
>it from the passenger side door.  So I cannot for the life of me get into 
>the car.  And it's parked in a neighborhood with a less than great element 
>running about.
>
>I'm reluctant to have someone use a slim jim on it because I just got the 
>thing repainted and the last thing I want is some huge slash from a 
>mis-wielded metal bar.
>
>Deciding it was too cold this evening to try anything beyond that which I 
>had, a friend gave me a ride home.  So now I'm here without a car, with no 
>idea how I'm going to get into the thing.
>
>Oh and it's supposed to snow 8" tomorrow.  GREAT.
>
>
>Thanks for any ideas.
>Robert

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