Frozen door latches...easy remedy!

[SMUUUUUV]

If they updated the cable in 2002 I guess the updated cable will still fail. I have an '06 and will be lubricating all doors every fall....

[StephenVA]

I would recommend lubing the latch and open the plug to lube the mech inside the door. Lube = no freeze!

Or a WARM garage tonight......

[Rockit]

I could not stand this anymore so I brought it to the dealer, $883 to replace drivers and pass door handles per TSB. While I can do this repair I just don't have time anymore to work on my cars.

I also called BMW North America and I asked them to good will the defective parts. I found out Mini Coppers have the same problem and BMW was replacing them out of warrantee. They may tell me to go to hell but its worth a try, I think this was a very hot topic for them a few years ago and they were addressing each case that complained. The dealer had something like 10 handles in stock..I called before I brought the car in so they all knew this was a big problem.

[SMUUUUUV]

Mine "thawed" out yesterday.. I WD-40'd everything. Hopefully I wont have to go through this again....

[jsoto]

By pulling the handle open and lubing from the exterior, does it not cover about 85% of what is needed ?

I did all 4 handles and then proceeded with the plug removal / spraying from there. I gave it a good dosing and noticed quite a bit had seeped out and was running down my door panel. Needless to say, I was less generous on the other 3 doors..

[mam4.6]

I had a real problem with my door latches this winter, frozen numerous times, especially with all this cold weather we had. I started dousing the latch in anti-freeze, and then removing the plug and squirting it in there yet. We've had sub zero weather since then, and haven't had a frozen latch since!!!

[Qsilver7]

I'd also recommend not washing the vehicle if temps are going down below freezing (32°F/0°C) if you're not going to be parked in an area (garage etc) that will be above freezing.

For those who have to park on the street or in a drive...again, don't wash if temps are going to drop down below freezing and you don't have enough daylight hours (w/sun) that will allow all moisture to evaporate. If its raining or freezing rain, where excess water running down into the door cavity is unavoidable...try running the REST feature once you park & shut down the vehicle. This will give the vehicle at least 15 minutes of warmed air inside the cabin...with the interior eventually cooling off to the ambient temperature...but this may buy some time for the cable not to freeze.

(if you don't know what the REST feature is or how to initiate it...look it up in your owners manual...on the e53, you press your MAX button)

[DBIII]

So, this just happened to me. Went to open the drivers door and pop. Here's the thing....the driver door will open from the inside and still latches and locks properly, but the outside handle will not open the door. Do I need a new carrier assembly? If so, how hard is it to do myself? The stealership wants $500 to replace it!!!!!!!!!!! Should I just suck it up and pay them or do it myself.....I'm pretty handy with tools if that helps. Thanks in advance guys, always come here for any X issues.

[jsoto]

It's my understanding though, all this spraying we are discussing....the root cause is water getting between the rubber and the wire. By spraying, is this not more a superficial ailment to the problem itself.

We'll see. In 11 years of ownership, I think I've broken 2-3 handles....it just depends on the luck of the draw between moisture and temps.

What prompted me to do the *spraying* was this morning it was frozen. I genetly tugged, got resistance, gently tugged again, got resistance, and gave it one more gentle tug to open the door. Luckily nothing broke..

[SMUUUUUV]

I use this. Worked out for me in this crazy NY weather...