L322 TD6 Locked.

Bah, boo hiss.

Folks, our old 2003 TD6 has got a dead battery.
We can’t get in even with the key!
I’ve heard that there’s a key access on the N/S front door but can’t get the cover thing off.
Also heard that it’s possible to energise through the tow bar electrics.
It’s got the old 12N and 12S sockets.

Any advice gratefully appreciated.

Thanks.

There should be a small hole underneath the keyhole cover. Stick the key blade in there to use as a lever.
One of the trailer sockets is a permanent live up to 10a
There's pictures all over the web

I charge mine through the 12s, so it should work just need to find which pins are permanent live and earth. On my 2004 there was a proper key hole on drivers door, when you get in better look up BMW door latch repair had to do it on mine.

The plastic cover does prise off the left side door handle. I've always wondered why it is on the left side though, is it because it's a British car and as a treat for the driver there's not monogram for the lock on the driver's cap to keep things a bit smoother or is it an inconvenience as you have to to the other side of the car to unlock it and the larger markets are LHD?

Apologies for the pointless musings of an idiot there.

One problem with this setup is that the locks tend to seize over time so if it does work, result! Lubricate it and test it every few months and if it doesn't then lubricate it and keep very gently working it until it does. My little C43 has one in the tailgate but it doesn't have a cover so it needs to be regularly cleaned and lubricated in preparation for the day it doesn't work! This is on my list of "first jobs" with any new (to me) car I buy. Not much help to the OP, right now perhaps, sorry but hopefully some of you will test your emergency locks as the weather is turning and we're seeing a fair few battery faults now.

It's on the left so you have the humiliation of having to climb through the car, the embarrassment of not being able to get in when you've parked along side a wall/hedge etc.
Or maybe it's so you're not standing in the road

kermit_rr said:

It's on the left so you have the humiliation of having to climb through the car, the embarrassment of not being able to get in when you've parked along side a wall/hedge etc.
Or maybe it's so you're not standing in the road

Click to expand...

Of course a proper luxury car would have emergency keyholes on both sides, to cater for foreign markets and to give you an option when one door isn't available (as happened to me) but that would cost an extra £5 on a £70k car

kermit_rr said:

It's on the left so you have the humiliation of having to climb through the car, the embarrassment of not being able to get in when you've parked along side a wall/hedge etc.
Or maybe it's so you're not standing in the road

Click to expand...

Not the same issue but with my latest Golden Girl sulk, I was glad I have long arms. Just a slight lean across and pull the handle. I'm too old to be climbing in and out of cars

kermit_rr said:

Of course a proper luxury car would have emergency keyholes on both sides, to cater for foreign markets and to give you an option when one door isn't available (as happened to me) but that would cost an extra £5 on a £70k car

Click to expand...

Some do not have any key holes these days not even a key blade to put in a hole. It's called progress

kermit_rr said:

Of course a proper luxury car would have emergency keyholes on both sides, to cater for foreign markets and to give you an option when one door isn't available (as happened to me) but that would cost an extra £5 on a £70k car

Click to expand...

£70k you're underselling it a bit. Found out mine was £111k new.

Thanks for the kind replies folks.
We’re now in again.
The lock will be getting repaired next.