Help!!! Car is locked after disconnecting battery

TurboHank · 05-03-2011, 12:44 PM

Hello folks,

Today I put my Z4 35i in a 20 foot container for shipping from US to Asia. The workers disconnected the battery while the car is turned off, but with the key still inside the slot. Then they close the trunk lid, which can not close all the way since the battery is disconnected. And then two things happened:

1. I can not open the trunk lid even though it is not completely closed.
2. I can not remove the key.

The doors can be opened, (fortunately). But now I don't know how to open the trunk lid and reconnect the battery after the container reaches its destination. Anyone can provide insights? Much appreciated.

Hank

BMWZ4 · 05-03-2011, 12:51 PM

Whoa! What about reconnecting the battery & then pressing the trunk release button in the driver's footwell?

EDIT - scratch that I understand why you can't get to the battery to reconnect. I forgot the battery was in the trunk.

zEdP · 05-03-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboHank

Hello folks,

Today I put my Z4 35i in a 20 foot container for shipping from US to Asia. The workers disconnected the battery while the car is turned off, but with the key still inside the slot. Then they close the trunk lid, which can not close all the way since the battery is disconnected. And then two things happened:

1. I can not open the trunk lid even though it is not completely closed.
2. I can not remove the key.

The doors can be opened, (fortunately). But now I don't know how to open the trunk lid and reconnect the battery after the container reaches its destination. Anyone can provide insights? Much appreciated.

Hank

You can open the hood and connect a battery or jump starter to the RED+ and ground terminals at the right side of the engine. Look for a red cap. These terminals are also used to start your engine with an empty battery.

HpDellNestle · 05-03-2011, 01:16 PM

Hook up a battery through the engine bay. Find 1 positive terminal from fuse box or light assembly. Never try it before, so no responsible for anything.

Constant.S · 05-03-2011, 04:37 PM

You said the trunk isnt completely closed? If thats true then ran a straightened hanger through the opening to release the lock.

mikeinaustin · 05-03-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zEdP

You can open the hood and connect a battery or jump starter to the RED+ and ground terminals at the right side of the engine. Look for a red cap. These terminals are also used to start your engine with an empty battery.

I have done this. As soon as you connect negative cable clamp, hit the door unlock and then trunk open button on your key fob.

.mgl

TurboHank · 05-04-2011, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zEdP

You can open the hood and connect a battery or jump starter to the RED+ and ground terminals at the right side of the engine. Look for a red cap. These terminals are also used to start your engine with an empty battery.

Thanks, I will try that when they open the container when it arrives in Asia.

TurboHank · 05-04-2011, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Constant.S

You said the trunk isnt completely closed? If thats true then ran a straightened hanger through the opening to release the lock.

I ran my finger along the slight opening of the trunk can't find a place where I can insert a coat hanger. Where is the opening you speak of?

Thanks

mcbeee · 05-04-2011, 11:53 AM

Dont jam a coathanger in unless you like scraped paint...use a battery charger with a short circuit sensor, connect it to the terminals under the hood (carefully ! in case the wires in the trunk are touching something they shouldn't, that's what the short cct sensor is for)

05-03-2011, 12:44 PM	#1
TurboHank Private 10 Rep 94 Posts Drives: 2011MY Z4 35i M sports pkg Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (0)	Help!!! Car is locked after disconnecting battery Hello folks, Today I put my Z4 35i in a 20 foot container for shipping from US to Asia. The workers disconnected the battery while the car is turned off, but with the key still inside the slot. Then they close the trunk lid, which can not close all the way since the battery is disconnected. And then two things happened: 1. I can not open the trunk lid even though it is not completely closed. 2. I can not remove the key. The doors can be opened, (fortunately). But now I don't know how to open the trunk lid and reconnect the battery after the container reaches its destination. Anyone can provide insights? Much appreciated. Hank
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05-03-2011, 12:51 PM	#2
BMWZ4 Major General 1911 Rep 5,106 Posts Drives: '23 X1/'23 Allroad Progressiv Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Whoa! What about reconnecting the battery & then pressing the trunk release button in the driver's footwell? EDIT - scratch that I understand why you can't get to the battery to reconnect. I forgot the battery was in the trunk. __________________ '11 Z4 30i (retired);'11 X3 28i (retired); '15 M235i Stage 1 Dinan (recalled & crushed); '16 M235i Stage 3 Dinan (retired); '15 X3 28i (retired); '14 328i (retired), 2019 X3M40i (retired); Loaded '18 X1 (retired); Loaded '20 X3MC DG, Black/Tan Merino (retired); Loaded '23 X1 Cape York green and Red/Black interior; '23 Audi A4 Allroad Progressiv
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05-03-2011, 01:16 PM	#4
HpDellNestle Private First Class 1 Rep 141 Posts Drives: Z4 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Hook up a battery through the engine bay. Find 1 positive terminal from fuse box or light assembly. Never try it before, so no responsible for anything.
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05-03-2011, 04:37 PM	#5
Constant.S Resistance is futile... 55 Rep 640 Posts Drives: BMW Z4 E89(N54) Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Greece/Canada iTrader: (0)	You said the trunk isnt completely closed? If thats true then ran a straightened hanger through the opening to release the lock. __________________ An ounce of performance is worth pounds of promises.
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05-04-2011, 11:53 AM	#9
mcbeee Lieutenant 5 Rep 446 Posts Drives: '09 Z4 s35i & '03 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 Z4 3.0i [5.00] 2001 Z3 3.0i [0.00] 2009 Z4 s35i [7.00]	Dont jam a coathanger in unless you like scraped paint...use a battery charger with a short circuit sensor, connect it to the terminals under the hood (carefully ! in case the wires in the trunk are touching something they shouldn't, that's what the short cct sensor is for) __________________ Member ZSCCA 2009 Z4 s35i with Dinan Stage II software, Sport and Exec packages, 19" 296 rims , a stubby and mud flaps '03 Z4 3.0i Sterling Grey (Hers) '01 Z3 3.0i Sapphire Black, M sport package (Mine)
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