I had a door lock problem the last couple of weeks where the front passenger door could not be opened by either the inside or outside handles. Just suddenly stopped opening one day and stayed like this for a couple of weeks. The central locking actuator was working ok - the door pin was popping up and down just like all other doors but the handles would not release the latch. It was as though the door was still locked (although the pin was up).

I thought some part of the door latch mechanism must have broken. A search here revealed others had experienced the same or similar "door locked" problems but I found no easy solution. I considered trying to remove the door card while the door was still closed to get at the latch but this risked causing damage as the dashboard is preventing the door card from being removed. I left it for a few more days as it was the passenger door and I'm the only one in the car during the week. Then yesterday I tried the inside handle again and the door opened just like normal!

I didn't dare close it again without giving the door latch a good checking over. No sign of any damage or anything loose but there was some dried grease evident that did not seem to be on the other door latches. I sprayed in some WD40 and worked the latch a good few times and it's perfect now. I gave the other door latches a squirt also.

If the latch had not released itself - it might have been an expensive and troublesome problem to solve.

The tip here is to give the latches a little light lube once in a while. (I wouldn't recommend grease as this will attract dirt and eventually dry up and stick).

__________________
Cheers, Brian

=========================================
2001 X5 4.4i Sport
Black Sapphire, Hi Gloss Shadowline, Full Privacy Glass.
Too Cool for Jack Bauer