BMW x5 e53 2004 drivers door won't open from inside or outside

[LinedDoor]

Hello, I have bmw x5 e53 year 2004. Problem is my drivers door wont open from inside and outside.

My drivers doors hasn't closed with central locking for years, other doors close with central locking, I usually closed door manually with key. But few weeks ago due to cold my drivers door cylinder lock broke and did not close or open door when turning key, so I closed door by pushing the lock pin down from back seat and opened door from lock inside.

Today my car doesnt open any way, I can't open it from inside and outside, tried to pull the lock pin up, but it goes back down when releasing it, everything seems to work properly, but door doesnt open, I think it is because lock pin doesnt come up. Luckily I got the door panel off, but still cant figure out what is wrong, lubricated all moving parts, let the car stay in warm, but nothing works. Tried to do as it said in that thread https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...-fix-pics.html , but it didnt work for me.

Does anyone know how can I replace the actuator with door closed, is it possible, or is there any other way I can get the door open? PLEASE HELP

[andrewwynn]

The locking pin is attached via a "one way valve".

The inner door handle is the unlock device.

It will fail if either the outside patch cable is still pulling on it or the door lock actuator is failed in "double locked" mode.

Find my DLA awr-fix thread I have videos that show exactly how the DLA operates and how to manually override the double lock.

(Won't be easy getting in with the door shut: challenging to remove the door card).

You can remove the lock cylinder from the outside if you think the DLA will function from the key input by bypassing the broken cylinder and that's what I would try.

PM for the "how to break into any eXX BMW" directions. (I really don't want to post out in the wild).

[LinedDoor]

Originally Posted by andrewwynn

The locking pin is attached via a "one way valve".

The inner door handle is the unlock device.

It will fail if either the outside patch cable is still pulling on it or the door lock actuator is failed in "double locked" mode.

Find my DLA awr-fix thread I have videos that show exactly how the DLA operates and how to manually override the double lock.

(Won't be easy getting in with the door shut: challenging to remove the door card).

You can remove the lock cylinder from the outside if you think the DLA will function from the key input by bypassing the broken cylinder and that's what I would try.

PM for the "how to break into any eXX BMW" directions. (I really don't want to post out in the wild).

Thanks for your reply, luckily I got the door card removed, Ill try to find the video where youre explaing how to manually override double lock, if no use, Ill PM.

[andrewwynn]

If you got the door card off look at the outer door cable and either try to pull it down into the DLA or disconnect it. The most common fault is the outer door cable doesn't release enough and prevents the inside release from working.

[LinedDoor]

I got the door open! i used andrewwynn videos to see how to manually get the double lock unlocked, so I used flat head screwdriver to access to double lock and pushed it open! thanks! Now I just have to buy new actuator.

[andrewwynn]

That's amazing! I always meant to take another video showing how to do that in place so glad you were able to figure out from the in my hand video!

DLA are expensive did you look through the repair thread also; $12-15 of motors to repair.

[LinedDoor]

Yeah, Im also thinking about that. It took a while looking at your video to understand, where to go in with screwdriver and which way to pull/press, but it is all doable, thanks

[andrewwynn]

It was harder to figure out with the plastic shield on how to double unlock than disassemble the DLA / latch. You should definitely disassemble and figure out if you have the skill to swap out the motors. The main trick is cutting the plastic shield in half and a little bit of flexing metal but I think I covered the steps. It's very rewarding to pull off.

[thelostboss]

Sorry to be reviving this so late in the piece - but hope you can offer some advice.
My E53 has a non-opening front passenger door [it is a right-hand drive vehicle] as well as having the window jammed in the fully down position. The car has been sitting for some time with plastic sheeting over the window opening but this has allowed water to get onto the lock actuator.

I have removed the inner door panel and looking at the door actuator it appears the the linkage from the exterior handle is rusted in a semi-cocked position. There is some play in the cable to the door handle carrier but the actuating linkage is solidly rusted and immovable.
While I would prefer to not destroy the actuator this might be my only option if it enables me to get the door open [and I need to do that to fix the window problem as I cannot even pull the glass up by hand].
I have looked at the videos and images but cannot figure out how to remove the linkage from the DHC from the actuator in order to free up the internals.
Any advice would be appreciated.

[80stech]

Pop the cable (plastic ball and socket) from the the DHC off the door actuator and then push the actuator arm (at the same point where the cable was attached) down to reset the actuator and then up to open the door.