GM5 CENTRAL LOCKING
These problems can be intermittent and affect
all doors including the fuel filler cap
WHAT CARS ARE AFFECTED
3 Series (E46 ) 1998-2005
X3 2003 -2010
Z4 E85 2002-2008
ZE – All Years
all doors including the fuel filler cap
WHAT CARS ARE AFFECTED
3 Series (E46 ) 1998-2005
X3 2003 -2010
Z4 E85 2002-2008
ZE – All Years
GM5 Transport Mode Reset (BMW)
The GM5 module is used on a number of cars including
E46 3-Series between 1998-2005
E52 Z8 between 1999-2993
E83 X3 between 2004-2010
E85 Z4 between 2002-2008
This service resets normal operation of the GM5 module after it has dropped into Transport Mode or Energy Saving Mode as it is also called. This sometimes happens if you disconnect the battery from your car without leaving at least 16 minutes without any activity on the car ) .
A sure sign the module is in Transport Mode is that certain functions suddenly do not work such as
the doors do not lock/unlock from the keyfob & from the central lock button inside the car & the
interior lights will not work. On some models you may also find the windscreen wipers do not function
as well. Other functions will work as normal though
E46 3-Series between 1998-2005
E52 Z8 between 1999-2993
E83 X3 between 2004-2010
E85 Z4 between 2002-2008
This service resets normal operation of the GM5 module after it has dropped into Transport Mode or Energy Saving Mode as it is also called. This sometimes happens if you disconnect the battery from your car without leaving at least 16 minutes without any activity on the car ) .
A sure sign the module is in Transport Mode is that certain functions suddenly do not work such as
the doors do not lock/unlock from the keyfob & from the central lock button inside the car & the
interior lights will not work. On some models you may also find the windscreen wipers do not function
as well. Other functions will work as normal though
Central Locking GM5 Module Repair Success Story.Hey guys/gals Im Whitey, Im new to the forum and just wanted to say hello to all and make my first post a good one.
So as an old lurker and a new member, I decided to use my first post to share my success story with everyone tonight.
Over the last year I have suffered intermittent issues with my door locks. Sometimes I could only unlock the drivers door, but not the passengers. When this would happen, the rear hatch wouldn't open, and the central locking button on the console would not operate. What was ironic, was that this would come and go, and sometimes would go weeks without fault.
Yesterday it got to the point that the fob would not unlock any of the doors, it would lock them, but not unlock any of them. The central locking button was inoperative, and I had to get my kids in through the drivers door.
I decided today to pull out the GM5 module, which was a trifle difficult but pleasantly easy compared to some of the things I have removed from this car. I took it apart and located the two double relays that are for the central locking. I realize that replacing the failed relays would be a pain in the booty considering that I had to put my soldering station in storage when we moved to our apartment. I also am a struggling college student and stay at home dad, so paying the 100 dollar bill plus postage to have repaired was out of the question.
I decided to take my dremel tool and cut the top off of the relays (very very carefully).
once opened, I used 320 grit sandpaper and sanded the contacts on both sides of both relays and then washed them out with alcohol. Sprayed in some electronics cleaner then used a blow dryer to evaporate any residue.
I also used a small flat head screwdriver to readjust the contact points to a better tolerance to ensure that they made good contact when triggered.
After that all that was left to do was to seal the relays back up with some plastic and tape and put it all back together.
Greatly enough the central locking system is back to full swing. I can also tell that it is functioning better than before, because earlier, the locks seemed kind of sluggish when they would throw. Now they yank back pretty fast and hard when you lock and unlock them..
My guesstimation is that over the years, spark gapping causes carbon buildup on the contacts and they gradually conduct less and less current until they completely fail...
Now let me be the first to tell you that if you arent mechanically, or electrically inclined, this project should be left to the tech savvy, you can contact Scott, Ive heard he does awesome work. But , if you have the tools, and tackling something like this doesn't scare you, then it is quite rewarding to do something that saves you between 100 and 500 dollars or more.
If you have any questions feel free.
So as an old lurker and a new member, I decided to use my first post to share my success story with everyone tonight.
Over the last year I have suffered intermittent issues with my door locks. Sometimes I could only unlock the drivers door, but not the passengers. When this would happen, the rear hatch wouldn't open, and the central locking button on the console would not operate. What was ironic, was that this would come and go, and sometimes would go weeks without fault.
Yesterday it got to the point that the fob would not unlock any of the doors, it would lock them, but not unlock any of them. The central locking button was inoperative, and I had to get my kids in through the drivers door.
I decided today to pull out the GM5 module, which was a trifle difficult but pleasantly easy compared to some of the things I have removed from this car. I took it apart and located the two double relays that are for the central locking. I realize that replacing the failed relays would be a pain in the booty considering that I had to put my soldering station in storage when we moved to our apartment. I also am a struggling college student and stay at home dad, so paying the 100 dollar bill plus postage to have repaired was out of the question.
I decided to take my dremel tool and cut the top off of the relays (very very carefully).
once opened, I used 320 grit sandpaper and sanded the contacts on both sides of both relays and then washed them out with alcohol. Sprayed in some electronics cleaner then used a blow dryer to evaporate any residue.
I also used a small flat head screwdriver to readjust the contact points to a better tolerance to ensure that they made good contact when triggered.
After that all that was left to do was to seal the relays back up with some plastic and tape and put it all back together.
Greatly enough the central locking system is back to full swing. I can also tell that it is functioning better than before, because earlier, the locks seemed kind of sluggish when they would throw. Now they yank back pretty fast and hard when you lock and unlock them..
My guesstimation is that over the years, spark gapping causes carbon buildup on the contacts and they gradually conduct less and less current until they completely fail...
Now let me be the first to tell you that if you arent mechanically, or electrically inclined, this project should be left to the tech savvy, you can contact Scott, Ive heard he does awesome work. But , if you have the tools, and tackling something like this doesn't scare you, then it is quite rewarding to do something that saves you between 100 and 500 dollars or more.
If you have any questions feel free.
