Help - Keys locked in boot

conZ

The aul lad is after locking the key into the boot of his BMW.

It's a 2001 3 series saloon, and has a boot release button on the key. He has the doors to the car open, but can't get at the boot as there is no internal boot release button.

Any ideas? It's the only key that he has, and can't get a key sorted for it until Thursday at earliest.

biko

Is it possible to fold rear seats? Is there a ski hatch in the centre of the rear seats?

conZ

Nope. Access from the back seats is not possible - completely blocked off.

BNC

Is there no boot release in the drivers side footwell just underneath the console and near the door?

Tails142

oh nightmare

I have a 5 series and I have a button on the keys that pops open the boot but keeps the doors locked, I know someday I'm gonna lock the key in the boot with the doors locked.


Are you sure there isnt a button to open the boot inside the car? On the 5 series its by the bonnet release.

Also, on the 5 series there's a button in the centre console to lock/unlock the doors which also operates the boot.

I know 3 series != 5 series but there must be some similarities?

MercMad

If the key was used to lock the boot then it no longer opens with the central locking.

I would phone Steve Guard Lock Technologies, 50, Russel Avenue, Drumcondra, Dublin, 3 Tel. 01 8366699 Fax. 01 8364518 Mobile. 087 255 4848

I have used him many a time and he will get it open, probably quicker than you would with the remote !!

(Obviously not that fast, but he is excellent and he will give you the truth as to whether it can be done, may cut you a spare key while he at it !

Bendihorse

In the 3 series i used to drive there was a button to unlock/lock the doors on the centre console around the handbrake area, if you hit it twice it also unlocked the boot. Not sure how the boot managed to get locked if you didn't press the key to lock it though, it should just re-open by the button in the bootlid...

bonham23

nasty..i did the exact same thing but i had left the doors locked too. It happened when i was putting something into the boot. left the keys down and closed the boot lid..nightmare!!!...i had a spare though. I had to get a taxi to bring me home and get it. .......If you dont have a spare key i guess the quickest thing might be to try and pull the back seat. I know its crude but it may be the quickest solution.

Bendihorse

I would have to say, its highly unlikely that there is no boot release/unlock button within the car. If you have the doors open, then get in and have a good look around. Hit the lock/unlock button for the doors a few times, the model i drove was a 03 coupe, but im sure its a similar set up to the one your dad drives, the doors locked automatically after you drove at a speed of over 10-15mph so there was a quick unlock button in easy reach at your elbo to unlock them, hit it twice and it also unlocked the boot.

bonham23

it depends on how the locking mechanism is coded. on mine a 99 323i there is no boot release from inside the car.The boot does open however when the car doors are open. perhaps your dads car has been recoded to stay locked even when the doors are open.

Lex Luthor

Bendihorse wrote: »

I would have to say, its highly unlikely that there is no boot release/unlock button within the car. If you have the doors open, then get in and have a good look around. Hit the lock/unlock button for the doors a few times, the model i drove was a 03 coupe, but im sure its a similar set up to the one your dad drives, the doors locked automatically after you drove at a speed of over 10-15mph so there was a quick unlock button in easy reach at your elbo to unlock them, hit it twice and it also unlocked the boot.

I agree and also read the manual as it might help

DublinDilbert

You can also set the boot lock to not open when the central locking is open, this is the way i have mine set up (done by turning the key one click the opposite way)....

Its possible someone with a diagnostic computer would be able to pop the boot over the k-line bus... i have to do something on my car, i'll see if it works on mine and i'll post back and let you know...

lightening

Lex Luthor wrote: »

I agree and also read the manual as it might help

Yeah, I did the same in my old Alfa GTV. While I frantically ripped at the leather back seats sweating and cursing my wife calmly read the manual.

The boot release button was in the glove compartment.

Bendihorse

lightening wrote: »

Yeah, I did the same in my old Alfa GTV. While I frantically ripped at the leather back seats sweating and cursing my wife calmly read the manual.

The boot release button was in the glove compartment.

Ahh what would ye men do only for yer long suffering wives :D

Victor_M

There is a boot release beside the accelerator.

bonham23

Victor_M wrote: »

There is a boot release beside the accelerator.

thats on the E39 5 series not the E46

DublinDilbert

If there's no boot release inside the car (sounds like there is on some models), i can do it over the k-line bus with my PC, just done it on my car.....

Where is he stuck?? If it's anywhere near blanch i'll call over and do it....

Opps just noticed your in Ennis, i guess i won't be of much help then....

Fey!

I know that this happened a friend of mine a couple of years ago with a '03 e46 saloon, and from what I remember a BMW tech had to come out and drill a small hole under the reg plate so he could slide in a tool to pop the release.

On the e39 5 series, there is a security setting where you turn the key 90 degrees right so that the boot can only be opened with the key; it disengages the interior pull and the exterior boot handle. Also in the 5, behind the back seat has a solid bilkhead, so pulling out the seat will be of no benefit (the 5 had a "ski-hatch option for, well, skis; the standard was a 2" round hole in the centre of the seat).

I don't know if the 5 and 3 series setups are the same.

There's a guy on www.bavarian-board.co.uk called Autofix who's based in Galway and may be able to help; unfortunately I've lost his number.

This guy used the AA in England to open his e46: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=31093&KW=keys+boot

A few others with the same problem and a possible solution; sorry, but you'll have to go through them yourself! http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/search.asp?KW=keys+locked+boot&SM=1&SI=PT&FM=47&OB=1

For those with only 1 key for their car, IME most manufacturers can supply keys off chassis number for around €130, which in cars like the BMW has the boot release built in. A worthwhile investment, I believe! (Beware '99 Hyundia Accents - €260 from the rude Galway dealer, €140ish from the pleasant and helpful Dunmore dealer, so shop around!)

Victor_M

bonham23 wrote: »

thats on the E39 5 series not the E46

There is a button for releasing the boot on an E46 beside the accelerator, not sure if it works without the ignition on though.

Edit: just went out and tried it, it does work without a key in the ignition.

Mr.Diagnostic

There is a very quick easy way to open it.

Dublin Dilbert is correct, it can be done serially, ie with the correct scan tool. Most aftermarket tools will not be able to do it however so it is very much a specialist job.
Failing this, the key from any other BMW can be coded in to allow the locking work. To do this the ignition will need to be powered up. This is a 5 minute job.

@ fey, While autofix is a genius and an all round good guy he is nowhere near Galway

Victor_M

conZ wrote: »

The aul lad is after locking the key into the boot of his BMW.

It's a 2001 3 series saloon, and has a boot release button on the key. He has the doors to the car open, but can't get at the boot as there is no internal boot release button.

Any ideas? It's the only key that he has, and can't get a key sorted for it until Thursday at earliest.

Just reread the OP, it is an E46, so It deffo has a boot release, get into the car close the drivers door (all doors) reach down the the righthand side of the foot well it's closer then the bonnet release and a bit up and to the right of it, a small button for releasing the boot.

Mr.Diagnostic

Victor_M wrote: »

Just reread the OP, it is an E46, so It deffo has a boot release, get into the car close the drivers door (all doors) reach down the the righthand side of the foot well it's closer then the bonnet release and a bit up and to the right of it, a small button for releasing the boot.

Its a rectangular shaped button, very close to the bonnet pull. Close enough that you can actually hit it by mistake while reaching for the bonnet lever, but I am not sure they all have it. It it is there it is very easy to see, just bend down and look in the area around the bonnet lever.

Fey!

Mr.Diagnostic wrote: »

@ fey, While autofix is a genius and an all round good guy he is nowhere near Galway

I was thinking of Eddie; I thought that his username was Autofix! Sorry about that.

Bendihorse

Ahh i really want to know if this guy got into his boot or not!

Tails142

He never found that boot release!

Victor_M

Tails142 wrote: »

He never found that boot release!

Brilliant LMFAO:D