Unofficialbmw.com

Smittey16 · Joined: 20 Nov 2002 Posts: 5 Location: San Luis Obispo, CA

I own a 1988 735i and am going through a nightmare with it right now. There has been some short in the electrical system that has drained the battery. I know of the way you unlock and open the passenger door manually in order to jump it. The problem is that when I unlock the door, the latch goes up, but when I pull on the handle nothing happens! It's just a loose handle. What other alternative ways are there for me to jump start this car and get back inside it without breaking a window? Thanks for any input.

edjack · Joined: 04 Feb 2002 Posts: 3887 Location: San Jose, CA

Somewhere in the back of my brain, I remember something about turning the key twice to the unlock position. This will apparently engage the door handle linkage.

pedro · Joined: 29 Nov 2002 Posts: 3 Location: brisbane

hi ,
when the battery is flat the central locking wont trip the locking , but they did think of that .hold the outside handle up and then turn the key , the lock should come up . it may be a little bit stiff to operate .

EdSidders · Joined: 23 Oct 2003 Posts: 1 Location: Republic of Texas

Neat little trick for DEAD BATTERY and LOCKED DOORS--Open trunk with key-remove TRUNK LIGHT fixture--remove light bulb-connect LOW AMPERAGE battery charger,(I use a 4 amp unit)-negative lead to ground on trunk latch---positive lead to contact used by trunk light bulb. I don't remember which contact I used. CAUTION!!!!!! a high charge rate may damage wiring and blow fuse in trunk light circut!USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!