BMW i3's Central Locking System Goes Dead, Fix Needed

Hey there! I had a similar issue with my 2020 BMW i8 Hybrid last winter. The central locking system failed completely, and I got those annoying error codes too. Turned out the connection cable between the door lock actuator and the main control unit was corroded and partially damaged. Had it checked at the garage, and they found the wiring harness needed replacement as moisture had gotten into the connection points. It wasn't a quick fix, took them about half a day to sort it out. They had to remove the door panel and replace several components. While not a critical safety issue, it needed immediate attention since it affected the security system. Based on your description, it sounds very similar to what I experienced. These electronic issues in hybrids can be tricky, but once properly diagnosed, they're usually fixable. Make sure whoever checks it has experience with BMW hybrid systems, it makes a difference. Hope this helps with your decision.

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! It does sound exactly like what I'm dealing with. Our symptoms match perfectly, especially with the error codes. I'm glad to hear it was fixable, those corroded connections can be such a pain in these high-tech cars. Could you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the repair? Also, has everything been working smoothly since then, or have you noticed any other electrical quirks popping up? Just want to know what I might be in for. Really appreciate the tip about finding someone with BMW hybrid experience too. Definitely don't want someone learning on my car!

Hey again! Good news, got my i8 back from the mechanic last week and everything's working perfectly now! The central locking is as good as new. They were spot on finding that damaged cable connection, just like I suspected. Repairs came to 95€, which honestly wasn't as painful as I expected for a BMW repair! Since the fix, no other electrical gremlins have shown up at all. The car's running like a dream, no more error codes, and the locks respond perfectly every time. Pretty relieved it wasn't anything more serious or expensive. Actually, I was thinking about your situation while at the garage, these hybrid BMWs really do need someone who knows what they're doing. My mechanic mentioned they see this issue quite often with the i-series models. Looks like moisture getting into those connections is a bit of a common weak point. Let me know how you get on with yours! Always interested to hear if other owners run into the same things.

Thanks so much for the follow-up! I actually just got back from the mechanic today. You were absolutely right about finding someone who knows these cars. I found a certified hybrid specialist and they spotted the issue right away. Similar to your case, but it was actually the door lock sensor that was failing, plus some water damage in the wiring. The repair cost me a bit more than yours, around 150 for parts and labor, but honestly, I'm just relieved it's fixed. The mechanic was super thorough and even showed me where the problem was. They cleaned up all the connections and added some extra waterproofing to prevent future issues. The car's working perfectly now, no more error codes, and the central locking is responding like new. Such a relief after dealing with this for weeks! It's nice knowing I've found a reliable mechanic who actually knows what they're doing with these hybrid systems. Thanks again for sharing your experience, it really helped me know what to expect and gave me confidence to get it sorted properly!