51 21 090 Removing and installing/replacing door lock in left or right front door

Special tools required: 

• 51 2 190

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove SOUND INSULATION  in rear section

Overview: 

1. Wiring harness attachment points
2. Bowden cable between door lock and carrier plate for outside door handle
3. Door lock
4. Carrier plate for outside door handle
   Fig 1: Identifying Bowden Cable, Door Lock, Carrier Plate, And Wiring Harness Attachment Points

   Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Detach Bowden cable (1) at bottom (A) and top (B) from door lock (3).

Installation note: 

Sealing (2) must be correctly fitted on Bowden cable (1).

Bowden cable (1) must be correctly engaged in fixtures (A and B) on door lock (3).

Make sure Bowden cable (1) is in correct position.

An incorrectly routed Bowden cable can cause door locking system malfunctions.

Fig 2: Removing/Installing Bowden Cable

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Unclip locking rod (1).

Fig 3: Identifying Locking Rod

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Version with Soft Close Automatic: 

Disconnect plug connection (1).

Unfasten screws (2).

Tightening torque 51 21 6AZ .

Fig 4: Identifying Plug Connection And Screws

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Release screws (1).

Fig 5: Identifying Screws

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Only with driver's door: 

• Disengage door lock (1) at locking pin (2).

Installation note: 

Make sure locking pin (2) is correctly seated in mount (3).

Separate all connectors at door lock (1).

Feed out wiring harness on door lock (1).

Remove door lock (1) if necessary with Soft Close Automatic.

Fig 6: Identifying Locking Pin, Mount, And Door Lock

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Installation note: 

Seal (1) on door lock (2) must not be damaged (water ingress).

Fig 7: Identifying Seal On Door Lock

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Installation note: 

Version with Automatic Soft Close: 

Make sure Automatic Soft Close drive (1) is installed in correct installation position.

Control line (3) must not be twisted around Bowden cable (2).

Make sure control line (3) is correctly laid in guides (4).

Fig 8: Identifying Automatic Soft Close Drive, Control Line, Bowden Cable, And Guides

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Installation note: 

• Install door lock and insert screws (1), do not tighten down.
• Slide special tool 51 2 190 into opened rotary striker until striker engages in first stage
  Fig 9: Sliding Special Tool Into Opened Rotary Striker

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Installation note: 

Pre-tension door lock (1) with knurled screw (2) until special tool 51 2 190 just contacts corner points (3)

Fig 10: Pre-Tensioning Door Lock

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Tighten screws of door lock

Observe tightening sequence: bottom - top - inner.

Tightening torque 51 21 1AZ .