BMW Z3 Won't Start, Steering Lock & Access System Issues

Hey there! I had a pretty similar issue with my 1999 BMW Z4 last year. I have some experience working on cars, but this was definitely beyond my DIY skills. My door handle's electronic system went completely haywire, couldn't unlock the car properly, and it was causing all sorts of weird electrical issues including starting problems. Took it to my regular workshop, and they diagnosed a faulty door handle electronics module. The whole repair, including parts and labor, set me back about 480 Euro. Since then, everything's been working perfectly. Before I share more specific details though, could you tell me if you're getting any specific error codes? Also, is this happening with all doors or just the driver's side? In my experience with BMWs, these symptoms can sometimes point to different issues depending on the exact model and year. By the way, have you noticed any issues with the key fob working intermittently before this started?

Thanks for sharing your experience! My Z3 has done 45594 KM and just had its latest service, so this issue caught me off guard. Yeah, I'm getting "EWS" error on the dash, and the key fob has been acting up a bit recently, sometimes takes a few clicks to work. It's definitely affecting both doors, but seems worse on the driver's side. When you mentioned the door handle electronics, it reminded me that I've noticed the driver's door handle feeling a bit "different" lately, not as smooth as usual. Was your repair covered under any warranty? My regular mechanic is great with routine stuff but doesn't specialize in BMW electronics.

Hi again! Yeah, those symptoms sound exactly like what I dealt with! When you mentioned the EWS error and the key fob issues, I'm even more convinced it's similar to my problem. My Z4 had about 52000 KM when it happened, so pretty close to your mileage. Unfortunately, my repair wasn't under warranty, these older BMWs are usually well past their warranty period. My regular mechanic actually referred me to a BMW specialist because of all the electronic components involved. The door handle module includes a bunch of security features that need proper coding, so it's not just a simple swap-out job. Quick tip though, while you're waiting to get it fixed, try this temporary workaround that helped me: remove and reinsert the key a few times while gently moving the steering wheel. Sometimes this helps "wake up" the system. It's not a fix, but it might get you moving in a pinch. Also, just to save you some trouble, make sure you go directly to a shop that can handle BMW electronics. I wasted time and money at a general mechanic first who couldn't properly diagnose it. These systems are pretty specific to BMW, and you really need someone with the right diagnostic tools. Let me know how it goes, I'm curious if it's the same issue I had!

Thanks for all the helpful info! You pretty much nailed it about the BMW specialist, I actually just called around and found one who's familiar with these exact issues. They quoted me slightly higher than what you paid, around 550 Euro, but said they can get me in next week. I tried your tip about removing and reinserting the key while moving the steering wheel, and it actually worked once! Didn't want to push my luck though, so I've parked it until the appointment. Really appreciate you sharing your experience, it's made me feel a lot better knowing this is a known issue with a straightforward fix. Going to the specialist was definitely the right call, my regular mechanic actually recommended the same thing when I called him. Hoping once this is fixed, it'll be smooth sailing again. These older BMWs are great cars when everything's working right! Thanks again for taking the time to help out. I'll update once it's fixed, might help someone else with the same problem down the line!