HELP: Keys locked in boot

[phat///M3]

Hi Guys,

Was installing my CSL bootlid tonight and to cut a long story short I was distracted by a car that came into the buildings garage and had to move some stuff so he could get around my car, and I then closed the bootlid and the keys are still in there.

Does anyone know a way to get the bootlid to open, as my car doesnt have the ski hatch, and I cant get to the bolts of the foldable rear seats as you can only access the bolts when the seats are folded.

Can BMW open it with their computer? seeing as it is linked electrically?

I dont have the spare keys as they are home in Spain and Im currently in Monaco.

[phat///M3]

If anyone knows a solution that shouldnt be made public on the forum then please pm me as Im pulling my hair out here.

[alexsh1]

Ok, I am not sure what car you have a coupe or a vert. I may have a solution for the coupe. If you open a centre armrest, then you can access technical holes right where the seats are locked. you stick a minus screwdriver and pull to release. This would open that half of the back seat. (it may take a while to find these holes).
If you have the vert, then I just do not know...

[phat///M3]

Its a coupe, you mean the center armrest in the rear back rest part right?

Any more specific info as to what holes Im looking for, my car doesnt have the sky hatch not sure if that matters. Thanks for the help

[alexsh1]

Once I was taught a good lesson when a key from my E-Class merc went absolutely dead and I was not able to start the car. Very luckly I was 20 mins on the taxi from my home. Had I been 200 miles away (as I was next day), this would have been a pain in the arse.
ALWAYS have a spare key if you go somewhere/travelling.

[kpkpkp]

Take out the speakers on the rear shelf - you might be able to release the the seat releases in the boot

Kp

[mr sideways]

what about taking out a rear speaker and trying to fish them out.

[phat///M3]

Ok never took those off, do they just clip out?

[kpkpkp]

IIRC the grils just pull up and then there are 4 screws for each speaker on the Harman Kardons - i removed mine to let more bass into the cabin when I fitted my sub

Kp

[Phil H]

it will be hard with the speakers cos its like a solid plastic mesh in the speaker holes. unless it pulls out ?

[kpkpkp]

Sure it pulled out on my M3

Kp

[phat///M3]

True just thought of the mesh too.

Anyone know about the holes Alex was talking about?

Are they there on the e46 have you tried it Alex?

[alexsh1]

Its a coupe, you mean the center armrest in the rear back rest part right?

Any more specific info as to what holes Im looking for, my car doesnt have the sky hatch not sure if that matters. Thanks for the help

Yes, its the centre armrest in the rear back...
Shit, you do have a sky hatch :( my bad.......
Hang on let me check my car first. Here is a pic for you with the location of the hole...
http://www.europeanautosource.com/forum/dice_diy/e46/eas_diceinste460007.jpg

[Phil H]

you could also try removing the rear seat, which pulls out carefull not to scratch then pull one of the sides away see what you can access? if anything

[kpkpkp]

I am sure you can get to the seat release in Alex's picture through the hole where the speaker would be

Kp

[alexsh1]

See that hole on the right hand side on the pic? Its the one!

[Afif]

im probably missing the obvious, but i thought if the car was unlocked the boot should be unlocked aswell?

[kpkpkp]

Afif - I am guessing due to him fitting a CSL boot the release mech and solenoid are not yet all hooked up.

Kp

[phat///M3]

solenoid and all are hooked up, but the key is in the boot, seeing as the CSL bootlid doesnt have the rubber push button thing I cant open it, the only way to open it as far as Im aware is the key fob button or the actual key.

[kpkpkp]

I can ony think of the speakers way.

Good Luck

Kp

[phat///M3]

Kp did you use this way? cos I dont wanna go and rip it all out and it not being possible, thanks for all the help.

[Styler]

is there a BMW dealer nearby? If you have access to your ignition can't you program a blank new key that they can send you in the morning? then use that key to unlock your boot remotely. I know it is a long wait but better than damaging you car.

[alexsh1]

As KP said try speaker or go my way - centre handrest as I suggested....
Its really trial-and-error process.

To be honest I do not think BMW would help you, not quickly especially in Monaco. I had not a very good experience with them so ...

[phat///M3]

Im just wondering if BMW can hook up their laptop and get the bootlid to pop open (as if you were using the key fob).

[Styler]

If bmw can hook a comp to your car, why can't they just give you a blank new key. Call the police and see if they can help you out, maybe they can convince the dealer to give you a new key.

[phat///M3]

Why do I want a blank key m8? wouldnt it be easier to hook up the comp and pop the boot open electricaly?

[Styler]

if they can do it via computer then thats good, but if not then you will need another key. I'm not sure if a comp will be able to open the locks.

Hope you find a way to open the boot

[phat///M3]

Im not sure either but seeing as its not "locked" just shut they might be able, but seeing as BMW are pricks here, I was wondering if someone knew for sure as then I will just insist it can be done and so they better do it or I will complain to BMW France.

[Y1 4MER]

Trust me the speaker way wont work cos the housing for the speaker is metal.all part of the rear shelf

[Styler]

As long as you give the dealer some cash for a new key and you can prove you are the owner, they should be more than happy to help you.

[Y1 4MER]

cant u see if BMW can get u the plastic molde key which will open the boot lid, which u get when u buy the car

[phat///M3]

KP did you use this method or is it just an idea? Cheers

[Y1 4MER]

As long as you give the dealer some cash for a new key and you can prove you are the owner, they should be more than happy to help you.


Has he got his log book?

[phat///M3]

Yeah I have all the papers, will see what they say 2mw, as the other option is to get my mum to go to my place in Spain and get the keys out of the safe and send them to me via UPS and hope they get here on Saturday morning.

But if there is another way like KP suggested or BMW computer way than I would prefer it.

[Y1 4MER]

Yeah I have all the papers, will see what they say 2mw, as the other option is to get my mum to go to my place in Spain and get the keys out of the safe and send them to me via UPS and hope they get here on Saturday morning.

But if there is another way like KP suggested or BMW computer way than I would prefer it.

Prob the best way just have sit and wait now :mad:

[gie0320]

you have a PM!

[alexsh1]

As long as you give the dealer some cash for a new key and you can prove you are the owner, they should be more than happy to help you.

Do not forget its France...well Monte Carlo
The customer service is France is shit
It sucks big one

[adood84]

I remember on my vert the dealer did some checks using there big ass bosch computer, but I remember one guy came to the dealer and said that he had locked his keys inside the car , they manger sent the Assist guy with them but asked them to stay away from while he worked for security reasons so I'm sure there are ways to open it , try calling the 24h assist guys they might be helpful

[phat///M3]

KP m8 I owe you one, your way worked fine, couldnt get my hand far enough in but with a screw driver managed to undo the latch.

Only thing was had to wait untill this morning as my ratchet and tools were all laid out in the boot :)

Didnt sleep much as the car was open all night, good thing it was in Monaco and not Spain.

[Styler]

did you sort it out yet?

[dodgyken]

Do not forget its France...well Monte Carlo
The customer service is France is shit
It sucks big one

Are you speaking from experience???

When I needed a boot solenoid for the Laguna I had a look when in France, the dealer I went to didn't have one but he called up another and got it reserved.

When I put the Z4 into the gravel at Dijon I needed some bits clipped back on - mainly the headlight - I popped into the BMW dealer - and they booked it in for the following day, and completed the work very cheaply and quickly - despite my very bad french.

I was then chatted up by a rather nice looking french sales girl who was wondering why an englishman was having a Swiss Z4 repaired in a French dealer. :D

[Raja_SMGII]

Phew, glad you got it out - I was going to suggest remomving the leather rear center armrest and then unscrewing the "ski-hatch" to get access to the boot(?). Look forward to seeing pics of that CSL bootlid now - don't worry too much about losing the manual release, you get used to it :)

[alexsh1]

Are you speaking from experience???

When I needed a boot solenoid for the Laguna I had a look when in France, the dealer I went to didn't have one but he called up another and got it reserved.

When I put the Z4 into the gravel at Dijon I needed some bits clipped back on - mainly the headlight - I popped into the BMW dealer - and they booked it in for the following day, and completed the work very cheaply and quickly - despite my very bad french.

I was then chatted up by a rather nice looking french sales girl who was wondering why an englishman was having a Swiss Z4 repaired in a French dealer. :D

Yes, I am speaking from the experience I had when had a prob with the then my 750Li in Monte Carlo. I hope it was one off... :(

[phat///M3]

Monaco BMW are shit, I called up the one in Nice and they said they couldnt do anything, so then I called BMW assistance and they were going to send someone out, which I said no to, they passed me a tech, and when I suggested KP's speaker suggestion he said try it cos it can work.

[phat///M3]

Phew, glad you got it out - I was going to suggest remomving the leather rear center armrest and then unscrewing the "ski-hatch" to get access to the boot(?). Look forward to seeing pics of that CSL bootlid now - don't worry too much about losing the manual release, you get used to it :)

Cheers Raj, might take some pics this weekend, but I still need to install my new "CS" door sills, and the plate and badges on the bootlid, also the Brembo's will probably go on next week, so might hold of with pics till then.

[absidian]

You may not believe this at first, but if you have someone at home with access to your spare keys, they can lock/unlock your car/boot over the phone, just place your mobile next to the car window and ask them to press your remote over the phone.

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[Sajjad]

You may not believe this at first, but if you have someone at home with access to your spare keys, they can lock/unlock your car/boot over the phone, just place your mobile next to the car window and ask them to press your remote over the phone.

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That has to be tested

[Styler]

You may not believe this at first, but if you have someone at home with access to your spare keys, they can lock/unlock your car/boot over the phone, just place your mobile next to the car window and ask them to press your remote over the phone.

---
lol, you serious? That's cool in emergencies if it works.

[alexsh1]

You may not believe this at first, but if you have someone at home with access to your spare keys, they can lock/unlock your car/boot over the phone, just place your mobile next to the car window and ask them to press your remote over the phone.

---

Sorry, but I do not believe this. The key is the transmitter right?
It transmits certain high frequency which is going to be out of range of the phones mic! Its not a 20Hz-20kHz signal so that the mic is gonna pick it up.
How do you explain the coded signal is transfered over the phone line???

[MARTY]

You may not believe this at first, but if you have someone at home with access to your spare keys, they can lock/unlock your car/boot over the phone, just place your mobile next to the car window and ask them to press your remote over the phone.

---

Funnily enough, i had an email saying exactly that this morning. It also had something about being able to input a code into your phone which also gives you extra reserve power when the batteries are virtually dead. I tried the code on my phone and it didn't work so i wanted to test the car keys thing before i posted it. Will be a handy trick to know if it does work.... especially as i've just got my lid back from paint.

[phat///M3]

You guys are joking right?

[adood84]

tried it as somebody posted about somewhere before , the phone thing doesn't work

[absidian]

I does work sometimes, depending on transmitter and alarm type.

If it didn't then the local police force in SY wouldn't be distributing this regularly as advice in their online crime update newsletter...

If it doesn't then I am guessing the later model BMW transmitters are now too complex for this to work...

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[Icecold]

Monaco BMW are shit, I called up the one in Nice and they said they couldnt do anything, so then I called BMW assistance and they were going to send someone out, which I said no to, they passed me a tech, and when I suggested KP's speaker suggestion he said try it cos it can work.

there is another way to unlock it. i wont post it for security reasons but if anybody finds themselves in the same situation let me know and ill pm you the details.

[alexsh1]

I does work sometimes, depending on transmitter and alarm type.

If it didn't then the local police force in SY wouldn't be distributing this regularly as advice in their online crime update newsletter...

If it doesn't then I am guessing the later model BMW transmitters are now too complex for this to work...

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You cannot be serious?! :p
I do not think this would ever work

[KEV 328CI]

Trust me the speaker way wont work cos the housing for the speaker is metal.all part of the rear shelf

Not too sure what model you are on about but from my own personal experience the speaker way does work on e46 coupe, the only problem you may encounter is getting your forearm back out of the rear shelf :o:o
Glad you got it all sorted now anyway mate

[kpkpkp]

You cannot be serious?! :p
I do not think this would ever work

Worked on my Nissan 200, I also found out that if you point your keyfob at your head you work as an antenna - try it.

Walk away from the car locking and unlocking it until your keyfob is out of range - then point it at your head and will will work in the same spot as it did not when you used the keyfob normally.

Kp

[alexsh1]

Worked on my Nissan 200, I also found out that if you point your keyfob at your head you work as an antenna - try it.

Walk away from the car locking and unlocking it until your keyfob is out of range - then point it at your head and will will work in the same spot as it did not when you used the keyfob normally.

Kp

A human body can be a good amplifier...Touch one end of TV antenna cable the plug the loose end into TV set and you will see.
But.......

Opening BMW via the phone, no
Do not believe in this

[yas_530d]

it works
tried it!
i walked up the street, tried 2 open the bmw, nothing, my mate stood next 2 it i then rang him, put the key to my head and unlocked and presto!

[kpkpkp]

Your were saying Alexsh1!

Kp

[Durgesh]

I did not believe this Key Phone thing.. tried it out once.. did not work like I thought.....

Maybe it works with certain keys and not others....

Durgesh

[Styler]

i guess it depends on the frequency your key is sending out. Some maybe able to be transmitted through the phone, others may not be picked up.

[Moe]

I tried the key thing today it didnt work felt like an idiot trying it too

[phat///M3]

Strange need to try this phone thing for sure, even if its just out of curiosity, would be funny if I rang my mum who is still back in Spain and it worked.


the only problem you may encounter is getting your forearm back out of the rear shelf :o:o
Glad you got it all sorted now anyway mate

I used the back end of a screw driver to push the lever out as my arm wouldnt fit and if I forced it in it would get stuck for sure :D Believe me m8 Im glad too, guess I will go out and get a small 8mm wrench and leave that with a thin screw driver just in the glove box just in case :confused:


it works
tried it!
i walked up the street, tried 2 open the bmw, nothing, my mate stood next 2 it i then rang him, put the key to my head and unlocked and presto!

Maybe it worked by using your body as an amplifier and not through the phone, try phoning from further away to see if it will work m8.

[huzi7]

key to the head works. I have tried it myself. Best put the key new your temple