Driver side front door not opening ! (from inside it opens okay) .

[bosanci28]

2003 Bmw X5 4.6is

Out of no where the Door at driver side from will not open anymore, but from inside it opens just fine.

I have open the door cover , and had a quick look inside with a flash light,
and did few tests to see how everything is moving ,the small parts.

The test:
I have locked the x5 with the keys,and then at the latch i pushed the lock into place, now i try to pull the door handle up, and it looks to me that this cable here:


(sorry not my picture,just founded here in the
forum,and just to show,what cable i am talking
about)

So that cable there looks like is too louse ,and when it pulls up from the door
handle ,is not pulling up unlock trigger at the bottom of that cable.

And also the door handle for some reason will not align with the key hole / cover ,the handle
after i let it go it stops 1/8 to 1/4 out ,and i have to like push it in to be flash ...

Any clue what could be?

And is there anyone that had this problem? also what will be the part number for that cable?



Thanks for any advice.


(Don't have the car home , as i was going to look at realoem.com for some schema regarding the exact
part what i am talking about)

[Ricky Bobby]

The door handle carrier broke. Replace the piece in your picture it's about 100 from the dealer. Good luck

[StephenVA]

Plus one
That was my picture and the symptoms you mention match exactly to a broken carrier as mentioned above. Follow the DIY article listed above and it takes approx 1.5 hrs plus waxing and cleaning time

[lhordmclain]

To OP,

Just curious how many miles in the X5?
Mine failed @ approx 80k miles (same front driver side)

I did purchased an OE replacement (not an aftermarket), since I figured it lasted that long

Good luck

[Riggodeaux]

Sure sounds like a broken carrier. It breaks at the rear of the carrier, near where the key cylinder appears. Aside from not being able to open from outside, a key indicator is the outside handle sitting maybe 1/4" 'off' at the back. Mine failed at around 84k miles. Trickiest part of the replacement is understanding how you have to flex the carrier out from the inside, extending the spring, so as to attach the handle on its front [plastic] pin, then twisting the handle down to join into the carrier at the back [near the lock]. Risk is stripping the front plastic pin, which then requires a new handle, paint job on it, etc. Don't ask me how I discovered this ....

[bosanci28]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

The door handle carrier broke. Replace the piece in your picture it's about 100 from the dealer. Good luck

Hmm, i see...

Found on ebay at $35 each (here),

I don't think is a oem , but been very tight with money right now , a cheaper fix with less spending is welcome.

Found at parts dot com for $91 + shipping ,witch is at least $12-14. (here) .

Thank you for your reply!.

[bosanci28]

Originally Posted by StephenVA

Plus one
That was my picture and the symptoms you mention match exactly to a broken carrier as mentioned above. Follow the DIY article listed above and it takes approx 1.5 hrs plus waxing and cleaning time

Yes, you right ! regarding the picture , as i was searching for the same problem on the forum and found your picture, just to show where my problem was!.

And also where is that "DIY article"? i am searching the forum and could find any info on the Diy.

Thank you!.

(Update, i think the DIY is here and here, Thanks.)

[bosanci28]

Originally Posted by lhordmclain

To OP,

Just curious how many miles in the X5?
Mine failed @ approx 80k miles (same front driver side)

I did purchased an OE replacement (not an aftermarket), since I figured it lasted that long

Good luck

I have around 78k right now.
I guess that door is used a lot and this small parts tend to fail really quick.

Not sure what i will buy, but if i do buy the aftermarket one will be curios how long will that last... there is a $75 price difference from oe to aftermarket.

Thanks.

[Riggodeaux]

If you search, you will find some others have experience 'fit' problems with the aftermarket parts vis. OEM on this tricky fitting part. I have no aversion to using aftermarket parts, in principle, but this situation may call for OEM.

[bosanci28]

Originally Posted by Riggodeaux

If you search, you will find some others have experience 'fit' problems with the aftermarket parts vis. OEM on this tricky fitting part. I have no aversion to using aftermarket parts, in principle, but this situation may call for OEM.

Thank you for both posts!


Yes , oe is allways better! but will see what my boss say about it (the wife ) ,
if she wants to spend the extra $ for the oe or give it a try with non-oe to see what happens.

Thank you for your advice!.