Driver's door won't open (from inside or outside)

[clubba]

Trying to figure out if I should replace the driver's door handle carrier outlined here http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...andle-fix.html or if just a good lube of the interior workings of the latch mechanism seen here http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-fix-pics.html would suffice.

The door handle pulls smoothly from the inside and outside, and it returns to its original starting position on the outside (doesn't stick out at all - sits where it should). But the door doesn't budge (most of the time). I am forced to pull the outside or inside handle beyond where I am comfortable pulling them to get the door to respond and open. What do you guys think, carrier or lube? Also kind of sounds like the cable controlling the locking mechanism may be stretched, although I'm not sure that's possible or how to adjust the tension.

[PersonaNonGrata]

It could be your carrier on it's ways out. I recall that the two of mine that broke gave early indications of a problem. I don't think it's the cable being stretched. There isn't much travel nor stress on the cable. You can see from the photos of the inner mechanisms what's going on with the connection between the cable and the inside door handle. It does not tend to sort of work. I think it's either connected or it isn't.

Take off your door panel and poke around. Hopefully you can see the area on the door carrie that tend to break off. Both of mine broke in the same place.

Good luck!

[mywidebody02]

had the cable go on my drivers side in the summer.

[clubba]

Originally Posted by mywidebody02

had the cable go on my drivers side in the summer.

Wait, I thought PNG said it probably wasn't the cable. Where did your cable break?

[mywidebody02]

Originally Posted by clubba

Wait, I thought PNG said it probably wasn't the cable. Where did your cable break?

i was agreeing with the door carrier diagnosis. Whether it the handle or the cable you have to buy the whole door carrier.