Door lock actuator?

Tangent · #1 05-09-2014, 09:34 PM

So I just fixed the door handle carrier on my mom's X5. Now the door opens nicely, but the lock isn't working right. It'll lock and unlock with the key in the door and by manually pushing the button or pulling the inside handle twice, but not the center console button or remote. The other 3 doors respond normally. Normally with those symptoms I'd be pretty confident it was the actuator, but since it happened right when I replaced the carrier I'm wondering if there's something I missed... Is it coincidence, could the broken carrier have caused binding that burned out the actuator, or did I forget a step/knock something out of place?

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BMWX5CHI · #2 05-09-2014, 09:38 PM

Had the same thing happen to me when I replaced the rear passenger side door carrier. Used to unlock and lock before with remote/center console switch. Now I have to do I manually. Anyone know what's wrong ???

David.X5 · #3 05-09-2014, 09:57 PM

Sounds like the electrical connector on the actuator is loose or got damaged. I would start by cleaning it with contact cleaner and inspecting for crud and/or broken pins.

All the unlocking methods you listed are purely mechanical. The ones that rely on electrical signals are not functioning. Since you said the other doors still unlock electrically, I think you can eliminate the central switch or the fuse...

BMWX5CHI · #4 05-10-2014, 12:09 AM

On mine I can feel the pin that goes up and down when you lock/unlock the door wants to move but doesn't have enough power to push up. What do you think is wrong ?

David.X5 · #5 05-10-2014, 07:58 AM

I have not taken one of those apart, but I had the same problem and read that this symptom (can't move the "pin" up and down) is a sign of the beginning of the end and is a warning of imminent actuator failure which can lead to that door being unopenable (there are threads on this) without a lot of work and/or breaking the door panel ($$).

Before I read more about it, I thought it was getting bound on the door panel grommet, and tried lubricating that, and even sanded it a little bit to increase the clearance. LOL.

I replaced the actuator, as it is pretty easy to do if you are willing/able to remove the door panel and avoid a PITA and pricey repair down the road.

Tangent · #6 05-11-2014, 02:06 PM

Okay, so my mom called me with an update. Apparently now it locks with the remote but still won't unlock with it. I'll see her later today and poke at it some more, but this is just weird...

When I was trying to figure it out initially it didn't seem like it was binding, it was like it was unplugged. I checked the connection and it seemed all the way in though.

EDIT: Corrected the which of the lock/unlock it does now while it doesn't do the other...

Tangent · #7 05-13-2014, 01:08 PM

Another update... Apparently the alarm isn't coming on anymore either. Even when locking the door manually and then pressing the lock button on the remote it doesn't chirp anymore. Seriously, what the hell is going on here?

David.X5 · #8 05-13-2014, 05:36 PM

Sorry, don't have any suggestions for you.

I'm willing to lend you the actuator I took out of my 2001 that was getting long in the tooth (but still talking to the car) if you want to test swapping out the actuators. I didn't see what year your vehicle is, so don't know if mine will fit.

PM me if you want it - I just ask that you return it when you are done.

hyliu24 · #9 05-17-2014, 01:21 AM

I actually developed the same problem as you last week, had my car scanned and determined that it is the door actuator. I just got my part in the mail, and will get it fixed this weekend

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