BMW e30 Keyless Entry at a Fraction of the Dealer Cost

I just finished installing a Stellar model BMW45 Keyless Entry System on my black 1989, 325i sedan and it works great! This modification will make it more convenient to get in and out of your E30. It is also safer to be able to unlock your vehicle when it is dark by simply pressing a button. Remember, you do it at your own risk. I do not take any responsibility for any damage to you or your vehicle.

The first decision to make is the installation location. You have two choices. The first is in the driver's kick panel. This is a great location if you have some knowledge in automotive electrical. You will need to be able to locate a constant hot wire. Your second choice is in the trunk. This is a great location if you have no electrical experience because your battery is conveniently located in the trunk, hence, no need to try and locate a constant hot from all the spaghetti in the driver's kick panel.

Since I had no electrical experience I put my unit in the truck. The following is the procedure for installing the unit in your trunk.

Items Needed:

- Stellar model BMW45 Keyless Entry System
- 8mm socket
- Wire stripping tool
- Electrical Tape
- Solder
- Soldering Iron

Procedure:

1. Open your trunk and remove both of your bulb assemblies from the inside of your trunk. Remove the rear trunk panel being careful not to break the two plastic tabs holding it in place by gently bending the panel and working it down and under the tabs.

2. Your trunk actuator is attached by two screws that will be visible when you pull the rear trunk panel down. You will see a black wire harness running to the actuator containing five wires inside. Use the razor blade to cut the black harness being careful not to cut the wires inside.

3. You should have exposed five wires; blue, brown, white, green/black and green/violet. Note: If your wires are different, STOP HERE! You will need to locate the lock and unlock wires to your particular vehicle. If the colors are the same, the two green wires are your lock and unlock.

4. Use the razor blade to expose about a half inch of wire from the two green wires without completely cutting the wires. Use the wire stripping tool to expose about 1 inch at the ends of the white/green, white/red, black, red, and grey wires from your keyless entry wire harness.

5. Attach the white/green wire from the keyless entry wire harness to the exposed section of the green/black wire to your actuator. This is your lock function. Attach the white/red wire to the green/violet wire, this is your unlock function. Solder and cover with electrical tape.

6. Twist together the ends of the grey and black wires from your keyless entry wire harness. Use the 8mm socket to remove a nut from your light assembly. Attach the twisted wires around the exposed bolt in a clockwise direction and refastened the nut, your unit is now grounded.

7. Attach the red wire to the positive post on your battery. I leave it to you as to the method of attachment. Your unit is now powered. There is a thin black wire exiting your unit, this is your antenna. Run this along the body of your E30 following one of the many wiring harnesses under your trunk liner.

8. You are now ready to code your remotes. Position your remotes so the small buttons are on top. The small left button is #1 and locks your car. The small right button is #2 and unlocks your car. The large button is #3 and is an accessory button.

9. To code your remotes, simply unplug your receiver, plug it back in and push button #1 on each remote. Note: Do not push and hold the buttons or push them at the same time and you must push each button within 3 seconds of re-plugging your receiver. Wait 20 seconds and enjoy the results.

10. Replace the rear trunk panel and light assemblies.

This modification is fairly simple and adds a lot of convenience and safety to your E30 for the price of the unit. The dealer charges close to $1000.00 U.S. for keyless entry which includes parts and labor. Follow these directions and you could have yours for under a hundred dollars!

Paul R. Contreras