door lock up down up down up down

unlock the door and button goes up. relax the key it goes down then up then down then up then down and is still locked.

Then it stops. Then unlock again and before relaxing key grab the handle and open door. Does not happen all the time. Have developed superstition and voodoo like approach to car to keep this from happening but I think it is mechanical and not spiritual.

Car is 1987/4 325 cab

Does it happen with both doors and the trunk? If only one lock has this issue then it could be a fault lock motor. If both doors and trunk do this then it is likely a faulty central locking control unit.

just happens with the driver door. If we use the trunk it actually seems to cure the problem for a while (that may just be coincidence though)

Its tough to test things that only fail occasionally. If you do decide to tackle this job its going to take some time pin pointing the problem. I know this is not a solution and only a workaround, but you might want to consider using a keyless entry module:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/show...hlight=keyless
http://bmw.e30tuner.com/articles_rec43t.php

Costs all of $30 and since its usually hooked up through your trunk wiring you bypass the problem you are having with your driver door lock. It shouldn't take you more than 45 minutes to complete the install either.

talked to auto electric expert today he thinks the problem may be a loose ground. I will dive back in the door on the weekend and see if tidying the connections helps