Experience of GM5 module repair in E46 BMW

dudara

I have intermittent issues with central door locking on my 2000 BMW 318. Based on reading, the symptoms appear to match the well-known GM5 issues.

Has anyone have direct experience of getting this repaired, whether it was installation of a new GM5, or recoding of a second hand module. There are lots of suggested options out there, but I can't find too many people who've followed up with how they actually fixed it.

FYI - I also plan to post this on BMW Driver etc, I'm just hoping to cast as wide a net as possible.

bmwguy

dudara wrote: »

I have intermittent issues with central door locking on my 2000 BMW 318. Based on reading, the symptoms appear to match the well-known GM5 issues.

Has anyone have direct experience of getting this repaired, whether it was installation of a new GM5, or recoding of a second hand module. There are lots of suggested options out there, but I can't find too many people who've followed up with how they actually fixed it.

FYI - I also plan to post this on BMW Driver etc, I'm just hoping to cast as wide a net as possible.

Yes it happened to me on a 3 series I had before. Nightmare, it was in a BMW specialist for a week, AC motors I think on south circular road in Dublin. In fairness to them they tried everything to not replace it, in the end they had to. Think it cost nearly 800 euro, I was sick! Top laptops cost less than that. Only my drivers door would open but the other 3 wouldnt from inside or outside. It was like they all just locked themselves down and wouldnt budge. Silly having them computerised and not mechanical

Eric Cartman

Bba remanufacturing in the uk should do it, they did my abs module in my e38 for £200

conzy

I fixed mine by cutting the top off the relay and spraying in some WD40 and cleaning the contacts with a scalpel.

It was supposed to be a quick fix to get me through the NCT but has been working away since Im going to order the relays on ebay and swap them out when its start to fail again.

Although the car will probably die before the relay dies again :pac:

I'll stick up a quick guide this evening have been meaning to post the pics

dudara

Thanks all - great info.

@conzy it would be great if you could share the pics. Your methods sounds like the first approach I'm going to try, although I might skip the WD40 in favour of electrical contact cleaner.

kdevitt

Its an easy fix for someone who is good at electronic soldering. I'm sending mine to a crowd in the UK to fix - costs GBP49.

dudara

kdevitt wrote: »

Its an easy fix for someone who is good at electronic soldering. I'm sending mine to a crowd in the UK to fix - costs GBP49.

It's been a while since I did any soldering - and experience has taught me that it's often best to employ an expert. Can you PM me the details of the company in the UK that you are using.

Nforce

GM5 module went in my old E46 a few years ago. I had mine fixed by this guy in the uk.. http://www.bmwcentrallocking.co.uk/
He did a perfect job with a quick turnaround time.

conzy

The GM5 is behind the glovebox, bit of a pain to get out, especially if you cant open the passenger door :pac:



This is the relay that unlocks the doors



And all taped up, working perfect since about 6 weeks on

A Law

Dudara. I have an e46 '00 aswell, 2door. I think the GM5 is f**ked in mine too. The buttons on my keys went intermittently for a week or so and then totally and now I notice the central locking button inside the car isn't working either.

The locks don't stick closed so I'm hoping it mightn't be so serious? I've looked up thread after thread of problems and I'm still confused, its crazy how many different things go wrong with the central locking.

NRdeMJ

Cannot recommend this fix highly enough.

Colin can be found on the usual prefix's then bmwgm5.info/index.html

Great service, rapid turnaround, very nice knowledable guy.

I fitted a spare module whilst mine was away. Anyone want to borrow thsi ask away.

biko

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