Driver side door latch comes up but doesn't open

myamin · #1 02-09-2011, 09:06 AM

Hello all,

In a wintery mix of weather in NE with temperatures below freezing, in our '04 X5 with 66K miles, I tried to open up the driver side door this early morning, handle came up but didn't open the door. I can operate the door from inside.

I read in the forum and came across some posts indicating that their door doesn't close but we don't have that problem. The door shuts fine. Just can't be opened from outside.

Is it just frozen or did I break the cable when I pulled up the frozen handle?

Also, if I have to replace the door latch, can I just take it to any mechanic or is it one of those complicated better left to dealer fixes.

Thanks,
M.

o. l. t. · #2 02-09-2011, 10:43 AM

You may get it to work with a hairdryer. Otherwise use a coat hanger as the guy did with your exact same post just a couple days ago, had you looked down just a bit and saw the thread about using the trick Brian posted. His was merely frozen. Same fix if you have other issues because of brians link.

Naz24 · #3 02-09-2011, 10:49 AM

It was either just frozen, or you broke the door handle carrier and cable. $400 repair at dealer

trent_ky · #4 02-09-2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naz24

It was either just frozen, or you broke the door handle carrier and cable. $400 repair at dealer

I actually did this repair myself when the very same thing happened to me. It is a bit cumbersome but it's definitely worth doing yourself if you'd like to save some money. There is a great DIY here somewhere.

Edit: here you go.

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...andle-fix.html

Naz24 · #5 02-09-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trent_ky

I actually did this repair myself when the very same thing happened to me. It is a bit cumbersome but it's definitely worth doing yourself if you'd like to save some money. There is a great DIY here somewhere.

Edit: here you go.

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...andle-fix.html

yup, seen that too. Looks like a somewhat complicated fix. My friend just broke is outside door carrier because it was frozen, and since we're in the middle of nowhere, with no tools, we're hitting the dealership in syracuse on friday. He owes me lunch for bringing my BMWCCA discount haha!

btw, karma is a bitch, because he made fun of me when my door handle froze, his response was "oh that doesnt happen on the 4.8is, you just have a crappy 4.4i" Joking of course--but hey he had to eat his words!

79aggie · #6 02-09-2011, 05:04 PM

When frozen over night? My drivers side broke last year in the snow here in the DC area. Had to press the remote access down for the windows to lower for a while 'till I made the repair. It's a pretty easy fix (for me). Door worked fine from inside.

The carrier breaks at the pivot arm in the mechanism and not the cable, weak design if you ask me.

My doors sometimes wont close (latch) when it's real cold out. They're fine once it warms up.

VM

Naz24 · #7 02-09-2011, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 79aggie

When frozen over night? My drivers side broke last year in the snow here in the DC area. Had to press the remote access down for the windows to lower for a while 'till I made the repair. It's a pretty easy fix (for me). Door worked fine from inside.

The carrier breaks at the pivot arm in the mechanism and not the cable, weak design if you ask me.

My doors sometimes wont close (latch) when it's real cold out. They're fine once it warms up.

VM

thats a normal occurrence for these cars. I'd be careful to open the door when you feel that it is frozen (you can usually tell) it happens to me after i wash the car and let it sit in the cold. Water gets into the locking mechanism and screws things up! and sometimes its too much pressure when you pull it so it breaks