100% Free

No Scanner Needed

Carly logo
Prices

miahoffmann10

BMW M4 Key Fob System Dead: Locking Nightmare

Hi everyone! Having trouble with my 2016 BMW M4 (161k km). The central locking system has completely stopped working, can't lock or unlock any doors with the remote. The car's computer is showing an error code for this issue. After a recent disappointing experience with a mechanic, I'm hesitant about where to take it. Has anyone dealt with similar central locking problems on their M4? What was the cause and how much did the repair cost? Thanks in advance for any advice!

Summary of the thread

The central locking system of a 2016 BMW M4 stopped working, with the remote unable to lock or unlock the doors, and an error code appearing on the car's computer. A similar issue was experienced by another BMW owner, who found that corroded connection pins and a faulty wire harness were the causes. The solution involved replacing the actuator and rewiring the connection, emphasizing the need for proper diagnostic equipment and a qualified technician. The original problem was resolved by addressing faulty wiring and corroded connectors, leading to a successful repair and restored functionality.

Did this summary help you solve your problem?

4 comment(s)

williamguenther92

Hi there! I had a similar issue with my 2019 BMW M2 Competition last year. The central locking system failed completely, no response from the key fob at all. Turned out the main door lock actuator had corroded connection pins, and there was a faulty wire harness between the control module and the door. The repair involved replacing the actuator and rewiring the connection. This wasn't a major mechanical issue, but it needed proper diagnostic equipment to pinpoint the exact problem. I initially thought it was just the key fob battery, but the onboard computer error code suggested otherwise. This kind of electrical issue needs a qualified technician with BMW-specific diagnostic tools. My technician mentioned these problems are somewhat common in this series after the 150k km mark. Make sure whoever works on it checks both the hardware and the electronic components, as just replacing parts without proper diagnosis might not solve the root cause.

miahoffmann10 (community.author)

Hey, thanks for sharing your experience! I actually just went through something very similar with my BMW last month. Did you remember roughly how much you ended up paying for the full repair? Also, has everything been working smoothly since they fixed it? I'm trying to get a sense of whether I should expect any follow-up issues with the locking system.

williamguenther92

Hey again! Yeah, I can tell you exactly what I paid since I kept the invoice, it was 95 € to fix the cable and plug connection that was causing the problem. I know that's way less than I initially feared it might be! The central locking has been working perfectly since the repair, honestly like it's brand new. No problems at all in the months since they fixed it. I was pretty relieved it turned out to be just a connection issue rather than having to replace the whole actuator like I first thought. My M2 Competition has been locking and unlocking like a charm, both with the key fob and the door handle sensors. Really glad I got it sorted by a proper technician who knew what they were looking for. Don't stress too much about follow-up issues, once they fix the actual problem (rather than just guessing and replacing parts), these systems are pretty reliable. Just make sure whoever works on it does a proper diagnosis first, like they did with mine.

miahoffmann10 (community.author)

Just wanted to update about my experience, I took my M4 to a mechanic last week and the diagnosis was spot on! Turned out my issue was also related to faulty wiring, but in my case, it was a corroded connector in the trunk area. The repair was pretty straightforward, they cleaned up the connection points and replaced a small section of wiring. The whole thing cost me about 120 € including labor, which was such a relief because I was worried it would be way more expensive. The mechanic showed me the damaged parts, and I could clearly see where moisture had gotten in and caused the corrosion. Been testing the locks obsessively since the repair, and everything's working perfectly, all doors, trunk, everything! Really glad I didn't let my previous bad experience stop me from getting this fixed. The car feels like new again, and I'm not having to manually lock each door anymore like I was doing for the past few weeks. Thanks again for sharing your story, it really helped me understand what I might be dealing with and gave me the confidence to get it sorted!

rmh_community_comment_box_header

community_crosslink_scanner_headline

community_crosslink_scanner_intro

community_crosslink_scanner_title

community_crosslink_scanner_price

community_crosslink_rmh_headline

community_crosslink_rmh_intro

community_crosslink_rmh_title

community_crosslink_rmh_subtitle

community_crosslink_rmh_brand

BMW

community_crosslink_rmh_model

M4