Does all E34 have a deadbolt locking function?

[31Hertz]

I have a 95 and it does not have the deadbolt locking feature (or is it broken?)

[joshua43214]

I have a 95 and it does not have the deadbolt locking feature (or is it broken?)

You do have it, it is called double lock not deadbolt. the owners manual has a full description of how to use it. basicaly turning the key partway locks the car, turning it all the way double locks the car. when double locked, you can not unlock the car from the inside or start the engine until it is unlocked with the key or the remote. you can double lock the 540i by hitting the lock button 2 times on the remote, if you do this, you will not be able to unlock the double lock with the key, so use it at your own risk since EWS-II sucks.

Not sure when people started calling this deadbolt.

[Incantation]

or start the engine

i didn't know that.. that's pretty cool so i guess putting the code in is just an extra safety function if that's the case

[joshua43214]

i didn't know that.. that's pretty cool so i guess putting the code in is just an extra safety function if that's the case

EWS-I(remote fob) may not have starter lockout, but EWS-II(3 button key) does, as well as he code in the OBC on the e34. The EWS-II(and maybe the EWS-I) can have the double lock feature defeated by the dealer so it wont function any more as well. Its all over redundant IMO. It is almost impossible to over ride the ignition lock on a BMW in the feild. Anyone who can do this, will be smart enough to just tow your car to a chop shop or stick a gun in your face while you are stoped at a light.

The double lock feature is cool in some places, but all it will do is slow a thief down a bit, not stop them. If you have ever fixed cars that where broken into by professionals, its pretty clear that not much would stop them. They will be in and out of your car with all your valuables long before the police arrive even with the alarm blaring. Not to mention, thieves will often slash tires or break all the windows if they get pissed at your car for not opening up. I knew a guy back in the early 80's that put razor blades on the bottom of his FM convertor, he found his convertor gone, all of his tires slashed and the body looked like it had been gone over with a sledge hammer. And he still had too clean all the blood from his interior. I have seen this sort of stuff on cars I have worked on over the years as well.

I normaly recomend to people not to use the double lock feature both because of the buggy nature of EWS and the potential for revenge from a would be thief.

The owners manual has the best description I have seen on how to operate the door locks and the assorted features, I would read this to get an understanding of what it is supposed to do.

Basicaly, when you operate any of the key locks, you are triping a microswitch that tell the EWS to lock or unlock all of the doors. If a lock does not travel far enough, the EWS will interpret that as a comand to unlock and then unlock all the doors. so, if every thing works fine from one door, but not another, themicr switch in the faulty door is most suspect. If a door locks and pops up again, most likely it is a weak actuator or a sticky latch.

Search the forums, there a tons of posts on this.

[31Hertz]

"You do have it, it is called double lock not deadbolt." Ach, ja Joshua, I see it now on page 9... I was accustomed to the E28 which you had to turn the extra distance to engage. I have read the manual, but it's been a while. It is funny that they call it the "double lock" since you really have no choice. I guess it's akin to "these locks go to eleven."