Drivers Front door will not open from outside or inside???
 

Hey guys,

So this morning my wife went out to the car.It is cold here in Jersey this morning about 25 degrees.The drivers door wount open from the outside or inside.From the outside when the handle is being pulled it seems as there is no detent.Normal the outside handle stops when there tension on the cable and then pops the door.None of that is present.Most of the door were frozen on the car due to the temperatures but opened.With the remote you can see the door actuator pulsing the door pin up and down on the door panel.Also from the inside same thing when the handle is being pulled is seems as there is no tensioner on the handle.I am thinking at this point maybe door handle has failed or the cable???But besides that how can I get the drivers door open without damaging the exterior or interior panel??Can the master switch be pulled and then that space used to open the door??


I replaced the passenger door handle last year however that door didn't open from the outside only.So that's why im guessing at this point.has anyone had this issue before and what was the fix??

Thanks guys!

Edited the comment as it was here I say this DIY, bad memory :confused:

It's a common issue, don't worry. There is s procedure to get the door open without dismantling anything. It involves a home made long, thin metal rod with a small bend at the end of it and patience. See link to the DIY procedure by a member on this forum. It worked for me and many others. Good luck!

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-fix-pics.html

If the door doesn't pop open when you pull on the handle STOP pulling on the handle. The handle frame is only pot metal and pulling on the handle will only break it. Also you should teach your family to pull up on the handle and not out. If you look at how that handle works, it is an upward motion not an outward motion.

The link mentioned above didn't work on mine. If it doesn't work on yours, you probably have a bad actuator and will need to replace it.

Normal situation...! Same here some times in winter... I got in from rear doors start the car and after when it is warm u can open it! U do not have to do nothing when it is not opening... do not pull it u can brake aluminium or plastic if it is so cold!
If u have good battery u can use webasto heating before getting in!
But the very best solution in winter it is to retrofit heated handle at least for drivers door! There are bmw's with heated handles for all doors! Before opening u just lift up for 10 or more seconds and then can to open...and it works for all doors from driver's door!
Next time use cup of boiled water or deicing spray

BMW E46 with heating element!

Hey I like that idea. Has anyone done this before? Is it plug and play?

I think no... but wiring is not a problem... the main thing is how to fit that switch who switches on heating element when u lift up handle

I was about to bend some wire until I did THIS
 

Was about to pull a wire clothes hangar out and try getting to the lock mech between the window rubber and door panel.. I had tried locking and unlocking multiple times with someone in the vehicle hitting the lock switch on the centre console whilst simultaneously trying to open both door latches. What worked for me is this situation. Pushing the unlock and lock button on the key remote whilst lifting the exterior door handle.
I think my problem may have had something to do with the Vehicle battery going flat whilst working on the vehicle.