I know exactly what it is!! (archive)

: Here is the problem:
: If I lock the car (from the outside with the key) the door locks will go down and then a second later they all unlock themself. Basically this means I can not lock the car at all. Thank goodness I live in a safe neighborhood but nontheless I still need to lock the car when I go to work etc..
: The only thing I have figured out is if I shut the drivers door again and really push it shut hard (much harder than needed) the problem doesn't seem to happen again... for now.
: The history of this problem is that I think I find some trick to make the car lock and then it stops working. This only used to happen in rain but now it happens all the time. My mechanic doesn't have a clue and the BMW place said they can only bring it in and replace all the locks etc.. Very expensive by their own admission. Even then they said this might not work. I guess I want to know what it is before I spend the money.
: 2nd part of this:
: I also notice that the dome light will come on and off while driving very randomly. It will fade up and down. I have to turn it off to make it stop.
: Seems to happen when the door lock problem happens. I think that somewhere there is a door lock sensor that isn't seeing the door lock. Not sure.
: Any help is appreciated. Emails too.

I had the exact same problem with my car. The part you will need to replace is your lock catch. It is the part mounted on to your pillar post and is not a part of the door it is mounted on the car (in the door jam) and has only two retaining screws. Each door has one but the problem is almost always the front driver side one. They are only around $15-20 and will solve your lock trouble and your light flichering problem because the courtesy light switch is an integral part of the lock catch.

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