need BMW expert.. locked keys in trunk

dan330 · Sep 5, 2011

hi,

I have a 2001 BMW 330ci (2 door coupe)
all power..
the button to unlook the trunk is not responding...
the button on the trunk is not responding..
cant even push the lock the door buttons...

i used the key entry (only have 1) to unlock the trunk to get something out. closed the trunk with the keys inside. I but for some reason.. all the power buttons do not respond.

there is power.. the radio works fine.

the back seats do fold down, but require a lever to be pulled in the trunk to release. there is a pass through, but i can not open it; i am guessing there is something in the trunk to release it as well.

any one have any ideas how I might open that trunk?

Pep · Sep 5, 2011

If you have the original book for it have a look for how the seats drop.
I wouldn't think that the lever would be inside the truck itself (tho i could be wrong)

Sorry if i'm not of much help

Pep

A.Nonymous · Sep 5, 2011

Only one set of keys to the car? A locksmith or a cab company is going to be your best bet.

Mada · Sep 5, 2011

Is there not a button in the interior of the vehicle that opens the trunk? For example, in my Nissan that button is on the driver's door somewhere, heh.

Sorry that I am not much help, as I have never been even inside a BMW

dan330 · Sep 5, 2011

after an accident i had.. the button to release the trunk from in side the car and on the trunk does not work.

i think i am SOL...

all the dealers are closed today... i guess i will have to pay a high price for a new key to be ordered off the car's VIN

A.Nonymous · Sep 5, 2011

Call a locksmith or a cab company first.

ParishL31 · Sep 5, 2011

If the seats fold down, you may be able to just take the seats out. For the part you sit on, slide your hand under the cushion and try to find a pin. Usually it's a pin and you can pull that and the cushion should pop out.

Then it might reveal bolts for the back of the seat holding on which you can try to get off. You may be able to pull it back enough to get a screwdriver in to open manually the hinge or even just pop it off by wiggling.

I have no clue how BMWs are put together seat wise and if this will work or not, but it's worth a shot. And as others have said a lock smith will be much cheaper than getting a replacement key from the dealership.

dan330 · Sep 5, 2011

ParishL31 said:
If the seats fold down, you may be able to just take the seats out. For the part you sit on, slide your hand under the cushion and try to find a pin. Usually it's a pin and you can pull that and the cushion should pop out.

Then it might reveal bolts for the back of the seat holding on which you can try to get off. You may be able to pull it back enough to get a screwdriver in to open manually the hinge or even just pop it off by wiggling.

I have no clue how BMWs are put together seat wise and if this will work or not, but it's worth a shot. And as others have said a lock smith will be much cheaper than getting a replacement key from the dealership.

i will try tomorrow.. thanks for thinking outside the box.

Tangent · Sep 5, 2011

The trunk on an E46 is kind of a vault. You have slim hope if you have the ski pass-through in the back seat. Otherwise you're either going to have to call a locksmith or get a replacement key at the dealership. I'm not sure how long it will take to get one done or if it can even be done at the dealership, but a coded key with the remote runs about $140.

BTW I know it won't help you now, but since the trunk release isn't working since an accident I have a stupid question. Is the trunk lock horizontal or vertical? If horizontal the buttons won't work by design...

dan330 · Sep 6, 2011

i do have the ski pass through... but it is closed... i think there is a latch for it in the trunk

Frisco · Sep 6, 2011

dan330 said:
the back seats do fold down, but require a lever to be pulled in the trunk to release.

I used to feel uneasy about putting anything of value in my trunk until that feature came around; it used to be too easy to just fold down a back seat and there is the opening to the trunk for anybody who likes to break windows to get into your vehicle.

Sorry you're having this hassle, but if there existed some secret, magic way to easily get into the locked trunk of your model of car, the bad guys would know about it. So, in a way be glad you're in the spot you're in, as far as security goes.

330D · Sep 6, 2011

I have a funny story about keys locked in a BMW.... My friend runs a campground and they do day trips in canoes on the river adjacent. He recommends leaving keys in a basket he has specifically for that on his office counter. One day a gentleman came in and decided he could hide his keys and not have to worry about someone taking them out of the basket (which has never happened in 30 years of business) Anyway, he ended up locking them in the car. Josh (my friend) has become pretty good at getting cars with locked doors and missing keys open, but found the BMW to be impossible. It was a sunday afternoon, and a locksmith was going to cost $500 to come out. The owner of the car decided it would be cheaper and more convenient to smash out the window than to wait until monday and have it sorted. Josh tried numerous tools to break the window, lastly being a 10 lb sledge hammer. He could not even nick the glass with it. It bounced off every time. Ended up the guy had to wait until monday to buy a key anyway. True story.

Kelmar · Sep 6, 2011

330D said:
True story.

pics or it didn't happen...

ScorpDX · Sep 6, 2011

dan330 said:
i do have the ski pass through... but it is closed... i think there is a latch for it in the trunk

Did some googling, Ski Bag pass through. How do I fold down the rear portion? - E46Fanatics has instructions with pictures of how to open the ski pass through from inside the car.

330D · Sep 6, 2011

Kelmar said:
pics or it didn't happen...

You and your requests for pics....

Kelmar · Sep 6, 2011

That sounds soooooo wrong...

/highjack

dan330 · Sep 6, 2011

ScorpDX said:
Did some googling, Ski Bag pass through. How do I fold down the rear portion? - E46Fanatics has instructions with pictures of how to open the ski pass through from inside the car.

thanks for trying....

but my model.. has a full metal cover... it is completely sealed.. I could drill it out..
i even called the dealer and a custom bmw repair shop.. they both said that there is no way into the trunk of my model.. unless i plan to completely take apart the rear end.

it seems that...
no locksmith wants to touch a bmw !!!

update:
seeing that I only have 1 key and i should have a backup... i decided to go ahead an order a new master key.. $190... it should be her by thursday.

330D said:
I have a funny story about keys locked in a BMW.... My friend runs a campground and they do day trips in canoes on the river adjacent. He recommends leaving keys in a basket he has specifically for that on his office counter. One day a gentleman came in and decided he could hide his keys and not have to worry about someone taking them out of the basket (which has never happened in 30 years of business) Anyway, he ended up locking them in the car. Josh (my friend) has become pretty good at getting cars with locked doors and missing keys open, but found the BMW to be impossible. It was a sunday afternoon, and a locksmith was going to cost $500 to come out. The owner of the car decided it would be cheaper and more convenient to smash out the window than to wait until monday and have it sorted. Josh tried numerous tools to break the window, lastly being a 10 lb sledge hammer. He could not even nick the glass with it. It bounced off every time. Ended up the guy had to wait until monday to buy a key anyway. True story.

really? that is cazy..

ParishL31 said:
If the seats fold down, you may be able to just take the seats out. For the part you sit on, slide your hand under the cushion and try to find a pin. Usually it's a pin and you can pull that and the cushion should pop out.

Then it might reveal bolts for the back of the seat holding on which you can try to get off. You may be able to pull it back enough to get a screwdriver in to open manually the hinge or even just pop it off by wiggling.

I have no clue how BMWs are put together seat wise and if this will work or not, but it's worth a shot. And as others have said a lock smith will be much cheaper than getting a replacement key from the dealership.

dan330 said:
i will try tomorrow.. thanks for thinking outside the box.

update: I took out the bottom seat.. and I did find there was a bolt ..
but only one side.. the other was a hinge that was hidden.
that would leave the top locked and one hinge at bottom locked.. so I do not think that would work.

i also thought about busting out one of the tail lamps... but that would cost to much to replace.

330D · Sep 6, 2011

dan330 said:
really? that is cazy..

330D said:
True story.

I could hardly believe it myself....

Tangent · Sep 7, 2011

Tempered glass is amazingly tough when hit with a blunt object. The trick is to hit it with a very hard pointed object. Something like a LifeHammer with its hardened steel point is good to keep inside the car for that reason. If you don't have a tool like that available, throwing a shard of ceramic (Also a very hard material) from a broken old spark plug insulator at it will often shatter it very easily.

need BMW expert.. locked keys in trunk

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