I can't get my doors open and I believe my battery may be dead. How do I open my hood manually? Is there a way to snag the hood release cable in the wheel well or some other area?

open the trunk manually to get to the battery...jump/replace battery.

to open the trunk manually insert your trusty key into trunk keyhole and turn until it clicks open. i think this will work. post up if you get it fixed.

All I have is the valet key and the plastic emergency key - neither open the trunk manually. I need to to get at the jumper cable points in the engine compartment.

Rick

well, where are the main keys then?

The dealer that I just purchased the car from (a pre-owned dealership that's out of state) is having one made, but in order to activate the new master key I will have to insert it into the ignition. It's a catch 22. I'll have the key but it won't be of use until I get the door open. If I can find the hood release cable to manually open the hood I can jump the battery and get the door open...hopefully.

it's getting funny. are you saying you bought the car from car dealer w/o master keys?

alarms are going off that say *stolen car* *stolen car* *stolen car*

I've registered the title and have a Car Fax report so I have no reason to believe the car is anything but legitimate, but I do understand your concerns. I just want to drive my new car (well, new to me - it's a 2000). I hope you can help.

All I have is the valet key and the plastic emergency key - neither open the trunk manually. I need to to get at the jumper cable points in the engine compartment.

Rick

are you sure the valet key doesn't open the trunk? i've never tried, but it seems like it would work.

Skipper5,

it would open the trunk if the trunk lock were in "normal" position (or whatever you call it). If it is in "locked", then you can't open it even from the inside. that way you keep master key, valet guy's got the other type. he will drive the car but wont open the trunk and take out your audio :nono only master key can lock and unlock it. the same story with glove compartment

any BMW dealership can help you. pay them a visit with a proof the car is yours, and they will order new master key for you. about $100.

Eureka!!! I tried the door unlocking procedure over and over for a couple of days to no avail, but decided to try it one more time and it worked. I got in the car and it started right up. I can't thank all of you enough. You can't imagine what a wonderful feeling it was to hear the door unlock.

wait a second, your car didn't have enough battery to run the electronic locks but it had enough to turn over your motor? :confused

something is missing here.

wait a second, your car didn't have enough battery to run the electronic locks but it had enough to turn over your motor? :confused

something is missing here.

Maybe he/she wasn't turning the key in the right direction?

I believe the locks were out of sync and it took just the right timing of turning the key counterclockwise and pulling the handle to put them right. The security system light was on the entire time and I could hear the lock click each time I tried the procedure, but the dealer I bought the car from insisted the battery was dead. My manual states that the door should open regardless of an electrical failure, but they still felt it was my fault for leaving a light on. Well, thanks to the Bimmer Forum I saved a lot of money by avoiding a towing charge and having the dealer open the car. Thank you again!

to unlock the door manually (i.e. if the battery is dead or if there is an electronic failure) turn the key til it stops, then turn the key more. It takes a bit of force since you're overcoming the friction of the motor. Although if you're battery wasn't dead I don't know why the locks didn't unlock electronically.