outside door handle stuck

[primetime]

Originally Posted by kalsingh1

Hi Guys,

My front pass door is deadlocked and I cant open it. There is no tension on the outside handle, and the inside handle only pops up the door lock indictor. I remember the door did this last summer, and I just thumped the door a few timed on the in and outside, and the door started to work.
But nothing seems to work, I have been advised that I need to take off the inside trim whilst the door is still deadlocked. I have tried this, taking of all bolts suggested on this site, but the door trim seems solid and I fear the door aperature is holding it in place? Catach 22?
Has anyone got advice other than taking the car to the main dealer, I would appreciate it. Many Thanks in advance.

Couple things...1 I believe there is a DIY on this site on how do it. 2. You definitely need a new door handle carrier. If you don't want to deal with the hassle of taking apart the door yourself, because it is a tedious process, take it to the dealer and have them replace it... Thats what i did, it cost me $500 US.

There is no lubricant or any type of substance or "quick fix" that will allow you to open your door better without getting this fixed.. Honestly..you will need to get this fixed very soon..Or you won't be able to open it from the inside either then you have a major problem on your hands...

[kalsingh1]

Hi how are you.

Thats the problem I now can't open the door from the inside or outside, it's stuck. I just thought someone might have gone through the same problem and might have some advice other than the main dealer. I just don't know how to get the door open, then I would be quite capable of replacing the carrier, if it is the carrier?????
Any one out there?

Thanks

[Blowout]

If you look at the pic of the carrier on the previous page, you will see a cable that is attached. That is what connects to the latching mechanism of the door. If I am not mistaken, the inside door release is attached to the carrier and opperates the cable as well.

I am assuming your cable is possibly broken. I don't have any suggestions on how to get the inside door panel off to get to the cable when the door is closed.

[primetime]

Originally Posted by kalsingh1

Hi how are you.

Thats the problem I now can't open the door from the inside or outside, it's stuck. I just thought someone might have gone through the same problem and might have some advice other than the main dealer. I just don't know how to get the door open, then I would be quite capable of replacing the carrier, if it is the carrier?????
Any one out there?

Thanks

Uh...Uh oh... If you can't open the door from inside or outside you have a problem... The door needs to be opened to replace the carrier and anything else involved... this has happened to a couple members. Now you have no other options but to take it to the dealer. They had to break the door open to get it open. Then the guy had to pay for all the parts that broke with the door and hinges.. If there is a way to get it open without breaking the door, the dealer will know how. But honestly the chances aren't good.. That is why when these door handle carriers break, or when this type of problem happens, you only have a limited amount of time before you can not open the door from inside either... Guys, get this stuff fixed before its too late and you'll be spending major $$$ paying for a broken door getting replaced...

[PJ1R1]

Originally Posted by gnehzekul

i tried to lock my car when i walked away and was noticing the alarm was not turning on. so i walked back, opened the driver door then closed the door.. then i tried to open the door again and i can tell the door handle was kinda stuck out a bit more than normal and it wont open from the outside....

i can still open the door from the inside. what do you guys think the problem is?



01 3.0 5

okay just opened up the door. it appears that when i pull the outside handle the metal wire no longer holds as much tension and thus the opening mechnism does not go up as high. does anyone have the schemetics to the drivers door locking/opening device? has anyone had this happen? do you think I have to replace the whole thing? if you had the dealer fix a problem like this how much was it?

thanks,

Luke

i recently had this problem but is was the door carrier, it is on the inner side of the door . i suggest you pop off the door panel and look at the cable, look at door panel removal in this site before you do any thing in the pannel i suggest you remove the negitive battery termanal on the battery so the air bag can deploy. bettter safe than sorry , all the info is here if you look for it. the carrier is any where from $55 to $90 on ebay .the job is not bad to do. the dealer isnt cheap . thats up to you , if you want to drop me an email , i will give you my phone # and help you to understand the entire job. [email protected]

[kalsingh1]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your comments. I actually use a mechanic who works for a main bmw dealer, I have used him previously.
I will book with him, as he is cheaper. I will keep you posted on the outcome.

Thanks

Kal
England.

[primetime]

Originally Posted by PJ1R1

i recently had this problem but is was the door carrier, it is on the inner side of the door . i suggest you pop off the door panel and look at the cable, look at door panel removal in this site before you do any thing in the pannel i suggest you remove the negitive battery termanal on the battery so the air bag can deploy. bettter safe than sorry , all the info is here if you look for it. the carrier is any where from $55 to $90 on ebay .the job is not bad to do. the dealer isnt cheap . thats up to you , if you want to drop me an email , i will give you my phone # and help you to understand the entire job. [email protected]

He can't do any of this if the door doesn't get opened first. His door won't open from the inside door handle or outside door handle.

[kalsingh1]

Hi everyone,

My guy from BMW opened my door and replaced the door carrier for £30 labour and £50 for the carrier.
He would not tell me how he opened the door without damaging it, I guess BMW must have secret ways to open door.
Many thanks and Happy New Year.

[PJ1R1]

ok well guess what i have the secret i dont know how to post pics on this site and if you ask i can send to your email but here we go . if your door carrier is broke on the outside and then the cable or smething breaks on the inside first thing you need is a slim jim ! slim jim is a flat peice of metal that they use to unlock the older door locks (very flexable and bendable) on the inside of the door with the glass window all the way closed you need to slide the slim jim down the glass 11" where the front part of the outside door handle is , then with your thumb pressing against the slim jim against the bottom edge of the glass move the slim jim toward the back of the car . (the reason you must kep your thumb pressed up against the glass is to get around apeice of foam that is glued to the door under the door carrier).then roughly 2" from the back part of the glass (just about where the door lock pin is ) with the top 2"away from the edge of the glass continuing sliding the bottm of the slim jim toward the back of the car (if the slim jim was running from 12 oclock to 6 oclock the bottom of the slimjim would be at the 7 oclock mark and the top at 12 oclock. that is where the lock mechinism is slightly move the slim jim up and down to a spot where it feels stuck then pull up that should open the door . to set up the slim jim you need to lay it flat down with the pointy end facing down on the slim jim then 7" in from the point bend the slim jim so it is off the surface 1 1/4 inches and using a magic marker, mark 11"from the point so you know how far down to go when sliding it down the window . you will then be able to take off the door panel and work on you other problems you have. good luck if you need pics shoot me an email and i will send you the photos i am sure pictures say 1000 words

[jaycotter]

Hi everyone, Just joined the site and found my problem straight away !! (great site by the way). I have stripped the door down and removed the carrier to find the same fault. The question is does anyone know where I can find a reasonably priced new door carrier in the UK? Have tried ebay but no luck...it is drivers side on a uk spec car. Any help would be appreciated.