[madmonkey]

I hope someone can help me out here. My 2013 335xi came down with the dreaded door lock issue - the one where it doesn't unlock when you pull the handle.

Long story short, I took it to the local dealer to fix and got charged a diagnostic fee for them to tell me they lubricated the parts that should have been lubricated every oil change.

Guess what? It happened again today - so I guess they didn't fix anything. So I'm mad as a hornet and BMW Canada is not helping out. Go figure.

Can someone post or share with me the full version of TSB 51 26 15, dated Sep 1, 2015? This is the one that deals with the improper routing of the bowden cables. I'd like to see what BMW recommends to do to fix the issue since I won't get a straight answer from the dealership.

Thanks!

[madmonkey]

Ok guys - for anyone that runs into this issue in the future, I wanted to share the resolution with you...

So after some tense conversations, a few emails back and forth with BMW Canada and some gnashing of teeth, I was able to demonstrate the problem to the Shop Foreman, who knew exactly what the issue was and how to fix it.

It turns out this issue is available to the dealerships on their AIR system. The service manager pulled it up for me and showed me, but would not print a copy for me...something about copyright and proprietary and blah blah blah...

Bottom line is to fix this issue, the bowden cable must be removed from the clip designed to hold in in place. That will relieve tension on the cable and allow it to move freely when the temp drops.

Hope this helps. Cheers!

[dave405nyc]

I've had this issue too, but they replaced the door lock actuator. Nothing about removing a bowden cable.

[madmonkey]

Originally Posted by dave405nyc

I've had this issue too, but they replaced the door lock actuator. Nothing about removing a bowden cable.

Interesting that the actuator was replaced. Did your car unlock using the central lock button or comfort access?

[dave405nyc]

Originally Posted by madmonkey

Interesting that the actuator was replaced. Did your car unlock using the central lock button or comfort access?

yep, the central unlock button was the only way for me to get it unlocked. I did notice that when unlocking, the pin would come up at a much slower rate.

[madmonkey]

Originally Posted by dave405nyc

yep, the central unlock button was the only way for me to get it unlocked. I did notice that when unlocking, the pin would come up at a much slower rate.

Same symptoms as mine...curiouser and curiouser.

I hope I don't have an actuator replacement in my near future...the dealership is already sick to death of seeing me show up at their doorstep

[madmonkey]

Well today it happened again - guess it really is the door actuator that needs replacing - so now it's back to the service department I go...let's see if they even respond to my email

[Insane435]

I had this issue. The original actuator part used has been replaced due to this issue. If you are under warranty, make sure you get the new part and get it replaced. Havent had an issue since.

[madmonkey]

Originally Posted by Insane435

I had this issue. The original actuator part used has been replaced due to this issue. If you are under warranty, make sure you get the new part and get it replaced. Havent had an issue since.

Thanks for that info. I'm under CPO so I "should" be covered...I say that because they charged me a diagnostic fee to look at the issue in the first place, which really irritated me - the new CPO program is "zero deductible" so I shouldn't have paid anything...

SA hasn't replied yet to my email...tick...tock...

[Insane435]

Originally Posted by madmonkey

Thanks for that info. I'm under CPO so I "should" be covered...I say that because they charged me a diagnostic fee to look at the issue in the first place, which really irritated me - the new CPO program is "zero deductible" so I shouldn't have paid anything...

SA hasn't replied yet to my email...tick...tock...

No problem. Ill even dig up the invoice for you if you need more proof to show.

[madmonkey]

Originally Posted by Insane435

No problem. Ill even dig up the invoice for you if you need more proof to show.

That would be awesome because they are now ignoring my phone calls...

[Insane435]

Originally Posted by madmonkey

That would be awesome because they are now ignoring my phone calls...

ill look for it tn. Ill try not to forget.

[wdeerfield]

Ive had both my passenger and driver side replaced under warranty. this has happened to me on my e46, e90, and now my f30. its a known issue and the actuator needs to be replaced to fix it. My e90 had it replaced under CPO and all i paid was the $50 deductible. I would assume the F30 has it covered under CPO as well.

[madmonkey]

So as update - hopefully conclusion of this ordeal...

After 4 (F O U R) trips to the service department, the issue has been resolved by replacing the door actuator. It remains to be seen if this is a permanent fix, as the weather here has turned warm and the issue only manifests in cold temps.

So to summarize:
IF your door lock fails to unlock through pulling the handle AND will unlock with the centre switch - but the lock pin moves slower than the others, THEN your actuator needs replacing. Accept no substitutes.

The Bowden cable replacement does not fix the issue, even though there is a TSB for it. There is no TSB for the actuators as far as I know.

Warranty or CPO warranty will cover this work - but be prepared to have to argue this point with the service department - in my case, I was charged a diagnostic fee to "look" at the problem and "lubricate" parts (which did not fix the issue at all). Take video of your issue with time and date of occurance. Show it to the SA and the tech.

Thanks to everyone that has contributed info on this issue.

[Insane435]

Originally Posted by madmonkey

So as update - hopefully conclusion of this ordeal...

After 4 (F O U R) trips to the service department, the issue has been resolved by replacing the door actuator. It remains to be seen if this is a permanent fix, as the weather here has turned warm and the issue only manifests in cold temps.

So to summarize:
IF your door lock fails to unlock through pulling the handle AND will unlock with the centre switch - but the lock pin moves slower than the others, THEN your actuator needs replacing. Accept no substitutes.

The Bowden cable replacement does not fix the issue, even though there is a TSB for it. There is no TSB for the actuators as far as I know.

Warranty or CPO warranty will cover this work - but be prepared to have to argue this point with the service department - in my case, I was charged a diagnostic fee to "look" at the problem and "lubricate" parts (which did not fix the issue at all). Take video of your issue with time and date of occurance. Show it to the SA and the tech.

Thanks to everyone that has contributed info on this issue.

glad its solved. Sorry i never sent the invoice! I had mine replaced and have not had one issue since. you should be good to go.

[madmonkey]

Originally Posted by Insane435

glad its solved. Sorry i never sent the invoice! I had mine replaced and have not had one issue since. you should be good to go.

No worries. I'm hoping this is good to go as well. Hopefully the passenger side doesn't start acting up.

[Orion4]

Do you have the actuator part number off the work-order/invoice? Mine intermittently does the same and I'm going to change it out.

[drivethrurecfan]

I also had this issue a few months ago. The dealership replaced the Door Lock Actuator and also the bowden cable According to them, their TSB advises them to reroute it in a way where there is more tension, making it easier to unlock. Haven't had an issue since then.

[madmonkey]

Originally Posted by Orion4

Do you have the actuator part number off the work-order/invoice? Mine intermittently does the same and I'm going to change it out.

When I get home, I will look at the invoice to see what part# they have.

Alternatively, you can check realoem.com and they will list the part#.

Found it...pn 51-21-7-202-143 system latch, left

[Orion4]

Thanks!

[WillSkill]

I'm having the exact same problem. They apparently moved my bowden cables because it was getting jammed? That did not fix it. I tried another dealer and they said they were ordering new door handles for me lol, but they haven't contacted me yet.

So I've been to the dealer twice and no solutions. I even mentioned that I'm pretty sure I need new actuators... The problem is I can't recreate the problem all the time and my warranty ends around late november 2017...

[madmonkey]

Originally Posted by WillSkill

I'm having the exact same problem. They apparently moved my bowden cables because it was getting jammed? That did not fix it. I tried another dealer and they said they were ordering new door handles for me lol, but they haven't contacted me yet.

So I've been to the dealer twice and no solutions. I even mentioned that I'm pretty sure I need new actuators... The problem is I can't recreate the problem all the time and my warranty ends around late november 2017...

Take a video when the issue happens...that is the only way to prove you have a problem and capture the date and time from your dash