BMW Z3 Central Lock Dead: All Doors Stuck & Remote Fails

I had a similar issue with my 1999 BMW M3 last year. The central locking system completely failed, no response from remote or key. Turned out the wiring harness near the door hinge had frayed over time, causing intermittent connection issues before total failure. The fix required replacing the main door locking module and rewiring the affected sections. It's a known weak point in these older BMWs. The module is buried deep in the driver's door, so it's not a quick fix. My mechanic had to remove the door panel and spend several hours on diagnosis and repair. This was more than a simple repair but not catastrophic. If you're getting error codes, it's likely either the module or wiring harness, both are common failure points on these models. I'd suggest finding a BMW specialist rather than a general mechanic, as they'll be familiar with the quirks of these systems. Get it checked soon though, if it's the wiring, it could potentially affect other electrical systems over time.

Thanks for sharing your M3 experience! You're right about the wiring harness, that's quite common in these older BMWs. I'm curious though, do you remember roughly how much the repair ended up costing you? And has everything been working smoothly since the fix, or have you noticed any other electrical gremlins popping up? I'm trying to figure out if I should brace myself for a big bill or if it's more reasonable than I'm imagining.

Hey there! Glad I can update you on my experience. Actually, I was really lucky, it turned out to be much simpler and cheaper than what I initially dealt with on my M3. Just got it back from the mechanic last week, and the central locking is working perfectly now! The issue ended up being just a faulty cable connection to one of the components. Total bill came to 95 Euro, which was a massive relief considering I was bracing myself for something much worse after my previous BMW repair experiences. Since the fix, everything's been working like a charm, doors lock and unlock smoothly, both with the key and remote. No other electrical issues have popped up either. Honestly, it was one of those rare occasions where the problem turned out to be less complicated than expected. If you're still having issues with yours, it might be worth checking for similar connection problems first before assuming the worst. Sometimes these older BMWs just need a bit of TLC with their wiring rather than major component replacements.

Thanks for the great news about your recent repair! That's seriously encouraging to hear. I actually just got mine checked out yesterday at a specialist shop, what a difference from my last mechanic experience! Turns out my issue was pretty similar to yours. The mechanic found a loose connection in the trunk wiring that was causing the central locking to fail. Got it sorted for about 120 plus labor. Way better than the nightmare repair costs I was imagining! The funny part was watching the mechanic's face when he discovered the problem. He kept shaking his head at how my previous mechanic had messed up such a basic connection. But hey, at least it's fixed now! The remote works perfectly, and the doors are locking like new. Really appreciate your help in pushing me to get it checked out properly. These old BMWs definitely need someone who knows what they're doing. Time to enjoy my Z3 without worrying about being locked out!