Re: HELP!!!! BATTERY DIED, CAN'T GET IN TO THE CAR (archive)

Mike,
There is another way to get back in. In the event that the manual operation of the key doesn't do it, try the following: I've done this on my '90 535i.

1) Get a battery charger.
2) Unlock the truck and open it. The trunk can unock without power.
3) On the underside of the rear package tray, in the center, is a light that illuminates the trunk - pop the light assembly out of the package tray; it will dangle down a bit on 2 brown wires.
4) See if you can determine which wire is positive and which is negative. I think one (+)will have a red stripe; if necessary, email me and I'll check in the morning. The light should have a direct connection to the battery without going through relays and whatnot if the trunk is open (to switch the connection on).
5) connect the battery charger clips to the two clips of the light assembly - be careful not to short them by touching each other. You now have a direct connection to the battery
6) Start the battery charger a charging.
7) After 60 seconds or so, there may be enough juice to operate the door locks. (In my case it only took about 45 seconds for the door locks to become operational. Keep trying every 30 seconds or so. It should only take a few minutes at most)
8) Unlock the car :-)
8a) Optionally, open the hood with the hood release lever.
9) Disconnect the battery charger
10) remove worn out battery from under rear seat and replace with good battery

good luck. Let us know how it goes.

-Matt

also is there a way to open the hood
thanks in advance

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