http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f17/1998-e36-323-hi-guys-little-help-needed-t57815/page2.html

just saw this post ill try this later usin the terminal in engine bay to get power to unlock. Dam battery in boot what a great idea, plus my boot gets damp n moisture to so even worse around a battery

 

this isnt working still has same power even connected wont unlock or work central locking does it not work as it is -6 degress lol, i'm stuffed cant get in boot

 

Try jumpstarting the car from the jump points under the bonnet then take the car for a drive for a few miles to put some charge into the battery. Hopefully the central locking will start working when there is enough voltage in the battery :thumbsup

 

I assume you have searched the E36 forum for "Boot" and have read these posts...

[url]http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f17/1996-e36-328i-convertible-boot-nightmare-t51974/[/URL]

[url]http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f17/1999-e36-323-convertible-boot-fault-t11342/[/URL]

[url]http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f17/1999-e36-318is-how-to-get-into-boot-t62429/[/URL]

[url]http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f17/1997-e36-318tds-cant-open-boot-where-to-t59141/[/URL]

[url]http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f17/1998-e36-323-hi-guys-little-help-needed-t57815/[/URL]

[url]http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f17/1998-e36-318is-saloon-boot-wont-unlock-t45146/[/URL]

[url]http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f17/1997-e36-323-boot-lock-problem-t35939/[/URL]

[url]http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f17/1997-e36-m3-the-boot-wont-open-on-t20670/[/URL]

[url]http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f17/1999-e36-323-convertible-boot-fault-t11342/[/URL]

[url]http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f17/1993-e36-locked-boot-refuses-to-open-t7537/[/URL]

Also, make sure you are not using the grey "valet" key as this is specifically designed NOT to open the boot.

I see you've had boot lock issues in the past, are you sure it hasn't jammed? Try pushing down on the boot lid as you work the key.

As for power to the battery I see you tried conncting a spare battery to the terminal in the engine bay - where did you connect the earth to?

 

I connected the earth to something on left side of engine block. the boot issue before was it wouldnt close but i hammered the lock and closes ok now.

i was using the grey key lol the other two are very worn and dont work in drivers door, but ill go try them now in boot. I'll have a gander at those posts cheers for that

to ther poster i didnt knotice any jump points :S under bonnet.

 

managed to get boot open with the black key, cheers didnt know that, weird they wont work in drivers locks to well. I only left the battery 3 days and it is totally dead, think ill charge it up as have a charger if it is dead. It is odd as thought battery was ok as left it 3 weeks in summer and started first time.

 

I take it it is ok to try jump it from the batter points in boot? is it safe to put the earth on black terminal or does it need be attached to something else? I am not used to a battery being in the boot.

 

That grey key catches a lot of people out. Here's a bit of info on it...

http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f9/1997-e36-316-boot-locking-t60762/

Download the users manual from this link if you don't have one.

Same procedure for boosting in the boot as if it were in the front.

You mentioned water in the boot?

http://www.bimmerforums.co.uk/forum/f17/1998-e36-m3-vert-water-in-boot-t38285/

 

cheers ill have to keep one key for boot as only grey one works in ignition and doors. it gets moisture in there and collect in spare wheel well to sometimes, cheers for info mate. I'll prob just charge battery up as doubt will hold charge, guess now it i scold i shud start it everyday and run it or will be dead again

 

the black key i had opened it when turned to left side. I wish i knew this ages ago lol as wondered why grey key wouldnt unlock boot lol, weird black one opens boot but struggles in door locks :s, grey is only one that really works straight off in doors

 

so in boot is it safe to jump on the black terminal for earth what else can i attach it too? glad i can at least get in boot now lucky i have a battery charges it comes in handy to have one deven thought takes 10 hours at least to charge it up

 

Read the attached bit carefully. If you turn the lock too far it will disable the boot from the central locking system.

Yes, safe to jump in the boot. There are not a lot of other options for an earth in the boot other than the battery lead. Give it an hour or so on the charger before you jump it as this will have given the dead battery a bit of life before the shock of 80 amps goes through it!

 

i saved that attachment cheers, didnt realise it had so many settings lol, at least if it is unlcoked when battery is uncharged i can sort it with that diagram. Thanks mate been a lot of help.

 

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is it common batteies to go dead if left for 3 days? in -6 weather. i usually use cars everyday so i am unsure