Doors aren’t latching.

[3hands]

Did a search, and all that came up was doors not opening! My apologies if this is an oversight on my part!

My doors and my trunk are not latching at all. I’ve checked the alignment, which seems fine, but the latching mechanism doesn’t seem to be connected to the handles on the doors, And when I open the trunk, the trunk push stays in. The trunk I think may just be lubrication, but was wondering if anyone had any experience with the doors not latching properly.

Thanks in advance

alex

[gwb72tii]

Did this just happen? Or a new car to you? What year/model e28?

[Mike W.]

I'll start with the easy one, the trunk. There is a little O ring in there they can get dry and cause the trunk button to stay pushed in. A little dab of a good spray lube like Triflow or Superlube will free it up for a couple of years.

The doors. Not latching or not unlatching? All of them? Just the fronts? Just one? inside and out? Power locks can get screwed up and cause them to relock as soon as unlocked, is that happening? You'd be able to hear that.

[3hands]

Did this just happen? Or a new car to you? What year/model e28?

It’s a new car to me! It said on the car fax that it had been in a minor accident but was not structural and was repaired. It’s a 1985 535i!

Thanks!

Alex

[3hands]

I'll start with the easy one, the trunk. There is a little O ring in there they can get dry and cause the trunk button to stay pushed in. A little dab of a good spray lube like Triflow or Superlube will free it up for a couple of years.

The doors. Not latching or not unlatching? All of them? Just the fronts? Just one? inside and out? Power locks can get screwed up and cause them to relock as soon as unlocked, is that happening? You'd be able to hear that.

Thank you! Will give it a go with some spray lube this weekend!

it seems all of the doors aren’t latching. Inside and out. With the door open, I pulled on the outer and then inner handle and the latching mechanism didn’t move. That’s a good call on the power locks. I’ll give that a shot this weekend as well and report back!

[Mike W.]

it seems all of the doors aren’t latching. Inside and out. With the door open, I pulled on the outer and then inner handle and the latching mechanism didn’t move. That’s a good call on the power locks. I’ll give that a shot this weekend as well and report back![/justify]

Wait a minute, with the doors open you pull on the handle and nothing happens? It shouldn't. It has to think it's been latched, ie the U shaped part that turns, I dunno, 60, maybe 90 degrees when the door is closed. It has to have that rotated at least to the first notch or else there isn't anything to release. Turn it by hand, with a screwdriver, whatever, at least one notch, preferably 2 notches. Then try the doorhandle, both inside, then after rotating it again, outside. Then it has something to release from.

[3hands]

Thanks, I will give this a go on Saturday. I really appreciate the knowledge! 

[stuartinmn]

To be clear, are you talking about the doors not locking, or are you saying they won't stay closed?

[3hands]

They won’t stay closed. I have a thought in my head, however, that perhaps the power locks are engaged, which would then be preventing the doors from latching shut. There is currently no battery in the car, so once I get the battery back in, which is happening this weekend I will see if that’s the cause.

alex

[Blue Shadow]

Use a dry lubricant like the triflow mentioned for the trunk lock push. Wet oil will collect dirt and cause issues later on. Relube a few times then annually. 

 

[3hands]

Thank you I’ll give that a go! I really appreciate the assistance and knowledge on this board.

alex

[Chicagotrader92]

While you're doing this little door project, go ahead and replace the door latch buffer and bump stops. 

- https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-do ... wuEALw_wcB
- https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-bu ... 1211823487

[3hands]

Thanks! Put the door buffer in my cart, but the bump stops are backordered, so will get them all in one go when they are back in stock!! 

alex