Key cylinder fix

[johnqpublic99]

Hi all,

Last week I broke the door lock on my 2002 X5 while unlocking with my key (my remotes almost never work)... fortunately, it broke as the door unlocked so I wasn't locked out.

I then searched all over this site for possible repairs and found many references to owners being locked out because of this issue and having to break a window to gain entry. What I think is happening is that the owners use their remotes and put off the repair (of the door lock) and when the battery or the remote dies, there is no other way to enter the vehicle.

The simplest fix is to order part number 51217035419 (part number 11 in the link below ~92$) but it takes 3 weeks to receive a new lock cylinder already coded to your vehicle's key and it takes literally 5 minutes to install.

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.6is DOOR CONTROL FRONT

I didn't want to wait three weeks so I ordered 51217035421 for ~61$ and replaced the broken component and fixed the problem on Monday!

It literally took 30 minutes to perform the fix and cost a little more than 60$. Here are the steps I followed:

Step 1: Duration - 5 minutes - Removal of lock cylinder

- take a flat blade screwdriver and pry out the lock cover (#9 in diag above). Take your time as you do not want to scratch the paint, in fact, it may be easier to pry from the bottom so that any scratches are not seen.

- open the door and remove the two part rubber cover (#3), remove the the inner part first with a small flat screwdriver, then remove the outer portion.

- look inside the hole, towards the lock cylinder and you will see a small 5mm allen head screw... insert your allen key and remove this bolt (being careful not to drop it in the door). Once removed, simply take some small pliers and gently pull on the lock cylinder and it will slide out. Take it to your work bench for dis-assembly.

Step 2: Duration - 20 minutes - Replace broken component

*** The most important trick here is to remember how everything fits... I recommend taking pics from every angle so you may refer to them if you get lost (I didn't take any, sorry) - Take notice of HOW the spring is positioned ***

- There is a small PIN preventing the retaining clip from being removed... pull it out and then pry out the retaining clip, it is spring loaded so take care to remove it slowly, the pieces will fall in your hands.

- Do the same with the new part taking notice once again the order of dis-assembly.

- Re-assemble with the new parts in the reverse order - I used a small pair of vicegrips to hold the spring in the correct position, which allowed me to push down on the components and install the retaining clip.

- I then used some spray grease to coat the components and wiped off the excess.

Step 3: Duration - 5 minutes - Installation of lock cylinder

- Slide in the lock cylinder, re-install the allen bolt and the lock cover and you're done!

Thanks
DF

[romeokc10]

Unfortunately I wasn't as lucky as you, mine broke when I went to open it after stopping at my local Ikea. And like you my one and only remote key was iffy 99% of the time since I bought my 4.6is in late 2010. I was lazy and cheap and kept saying, "I'll get a new key from the dealer next month," well my luck finally ran out! It cost $200 to call out a locksmith for about 25 minutes of work, he used those little air bags to pry the door open so he could hit the central unlock with a long metal rod. Then to make matters worse, when I went to my local dealer the next day to order a new key, it wasn't nearly as expensive as I feared. The new key was $189, I was wearing my military flight suit and the parts guys gave me the dealerships military discount, it was only $159! And again, to add insult to injury, after searching some old threads here on the site, this guy in California (link below) will repair your old key (mine works just as good as my new key) for only $55, so I now have two working keys, wohooo!!

BMW General Module 5 (GMV, ZKE V)

[Dan Fowler]

jqp99 -That was a good post.

[scottjoh]

romeokc10, thanks for the plug.

guy in California

[Helmuth]

johnqpublic99,

would you please be able to provide some detail picures of the disassembly of the lock cylinder? I am right now in front of that adventure and have no real idea what will happen when I pull that pin out.

Thank you very much!

Helmuth

[romeokc10]

Originally Posted by scottjoh

romeokc10, thanks for the plug.

guy in California

No problem, glad I could help!

[johnqpublic99]

Originally Posted by Helmuth

johnqpublic99,

would you please be able to provide some detail picures of the disassembly of the lock cylinder? I am right now in front of that adventure and have no real idea what will happen when I pull that pin out.

Thank you very much!

Helmuth

Hey Helmuth,

I'm sorry I didn't stop to take pics but as in my original post, do take some so that you can reference them if you get lost.

It isn't terribly complex.

DF

[Helmuth]

Just to doublecheck. I have that part and when I pull out the pin (red) I am able to pry out the part (blue arrow).
Just want to avoid that I start and lots of springs and small ball jump through the room :-)

Thank you again !!

[johnqpublic99]

Originally Posted by Helmuth

Just to doublecheck. I have that part and when I pull out the pin (red) I am able to pry out the part (blue arrow).
Just want to avoid that I start and lots of springs and small ball jump through the room :-)

Thank you again !!

Hey Helmuth,

No small parts are going explode through the room. Once you remove that pin, you need to push down on the part (yellow arrow) and use a small screwdriver to pry out the retaining clip (Green arrow). Prior to doing that though, simply take note of how the spring is situated in the assembly.

DF

[Helmuth]

WOW - that was it :-) Thank you A LOT for your support!!!
For the records a picture.

All the best, Helmuth