100% Free

No Scanner Needed

Carly logo

nelestern2

BMW i3 Door Lock Chaos: Sensors Causing Havoc?

Vehicle cannot be unlocked or locked

Help needed: BMW i3 2019 door lock system malfunction Having issues with my i3 Hybrid's door system. Getting error messages about doors not being closed, plus the central locking system isn't working properly, can't lock/unlock doors or use auto-lock while driving. I suspect it might be related to door contact sensors. Has anyone dealt with similar problems? Looking for insights on diagnosis and repair experiences, especially from those who got it fixed at a workshop. What was the actual issue and solution in your case?

4 comment(s)


jessicablade2

Hey there! I have some experience with BMWs and had a similar issue with my 2017 BMW i8 Hybrid last year. I can relate to your frustration! The symptoms you're describing sound exactly like what I encountered. Initially, I thought it was the door sensors too, but it turned out to be a faulty wiring connection in the door harness. My workshop found that a cable connection to the locking mechanism was damaged, causing intermittent signals. The fix wasn't too complicated, they replaced the damaged connection, and it cost me around 95 Euro. Since then, everything's been working perfectly, no more unusual error messages or locking issues. Could you share if you're getting any specific error codes? Also, does this happen with all doors or just one particular door? This info would help determine if you're dealing with the same issue I had. By the way, I've also owned a BMW 330e, and these electrical gremlins can be pretty common in modern hybrids.

nelestern2 (Author)

Hey! Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm having similar issues with my i3 (120401 KM on the clock). Just got back from my latest service two weeks ago, and everything was fine until this started happening. Your wiring harness theory makes sense actually, I've noticed the problem seems worse when it's cold in the morning. It's mainly affecting my driver's side door, and occasionally the rear passenger door. Haven't gotten any specific error codes, just those annoying "door open" warnings on the dash. I'll definitely get the wiring checked out. Hopefully it'll be a simple fix like yours was. These hybrid systems can be pretty finicky with their electronics sometimes, but otherwise, I've been really happy with the car. Thanks again for the tip!

jessicablade2

Hey again! Thanks for the follow-up. Yeah, the temperature sensitivity you're mentioning definitely rings a bell, that's exactly how mine started acting up too! The cold morning thing was super annoying, right? Just wanted to add that after my initial reply, I remembered something else that might be useful. When my technician dug deeper into the wiring harness issue, they found that moisture had gotten into the connection point where the wiring enters the door. That's why it was acting up more in cold weather, the moisture would freeze and cause connection problems. They actually ended up not just replacing the damaged connection, but also added some extra weatherproofing to prevent future issues. It's been about 8 months now since the fix, and I haven't had a single problem, even during really cold mornings. Since you mentioned it's mainly your driver's side door, that makes total sense, it's the one that gets the most use and movement, so the wiring there tends to wear out faster. I'd definitely recommend getting it checked soon before winter really sets in. The repair was totally worth it for me, and it sounds like you're dealing with the exact same thing. Keep us posted on what you find out! Always good to share these experiences so others can learn from them too.

nelestern2 (Author)

Thanks so much for all the detailed info! Your experience with the moisture issue is super helpful, especially since I've noticed it's definitely worse on those damp mornings. I've actually just booked my car in for next week to get it checked out. The extra detail about the weatherproofing is really valuable too. I'll make sure to mention that to my mechanic when I take it in. It makes total sense about the driver's door getting more wear and tear, I'd never thought about it that way before. I was honestly worried it might be something major with the hybrid system, so I'm pretty relieved it could just be a wiring issue. I'll definitely update this thread once I get it sorted, might help someone else down the line with the same problem. Really appreciate all your help and sharing your experience!

Let our mechanics help you!

Do you have a problem with your car?

Let us help you free of charge!

Car Brands
carly-logo

© 2025 Carly Solutions GmbH & Co. KG. All rights reserved