Xoutpost.com - Passenger Front Door Won't Open

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Yeah I am fearing the worst already. It didn't exhibit any issues prior to the malfunction. I'm happy at least its not the driver door but like I said it's doing some weird stuff too. I have had some temporary issues in the past when removing the door cars and putting them back on but usually cycling the locks a couple times helps fix the problem. Doesn't seem to be the case this time around :(

I might need to know how you got in there to pop the lock so I can eventually fix it. Boroscope approach sounds smart. Hopefully it will start working again at some point but I'm not too hopeful.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowz (Post 1126479)

If a door starts acting up with either handle not working then fix it NOW before it wont open at all. Trust me on this.

When I bought the wife's 528i the passenger front door wouldn't open from the actuator/door lock failing. That was a nightmare to fix. Took a few days to finally get the door open to change the thing out.

That's said it sounds like you may be at the point of no return already.

I bought one of those bore scope's with the video display to see what I was doing inside the door. I need to go back over the notes I have on it to try to figure out how I finally got it open but the best I remember is I went in thru the airbag cover and from the window opening with the window down. Its been a few years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAVnbgex7cQ

This is about how I did it. Watching this jogged my memory.

I dropped the airbag cover and went in with a hooked tool I have and messed around and it opened.

Thanks that's about what a figured. Looks like all kinds of wizardry and fuckery :/

Quote:

Originally Posted by chedeng (Post 1126465)

One actuator per door. Since you mentioned passenger front door, is there a key on that side? (sorry, I have an 01 3.0). I just replaced mine this weekend. It's the same issue as yours . . . key fob and internal button won't open the passenger door. Only the inside door lever works.

Change it actuator asap before that internal lever stops working too. It would be difficult to remove the inside panel if door is closed.

You will find how-to videos on how to remove the panel and to remove the actuator itself. I got the replacement one from Amazon for $135 (Dorman) and hopefully it lasts. It took me 2.5hrs to replace the first time. Buy few door push clips while you are it since guaranteed you are going to break a few.

Keyhole only on driver door.

It's an '00? Ahh first year issues. Never get the first year of anything. :(

I can tell you from personal experience that you can remove a door panel with the door locked. Passenger side. It would not open with the key or the internal lock button. What is lame is that after I went through the hell of removing that panel it turned out that all I had to do was disconnect the battery and then reconnect it and it would go back to normal. I sort of did that by letting the batter discharge all the way.

This was on my 01 beater auto x5 3.0.

Quote:

Originally Posted by squidzilla (Post 1126705)

Crap I never thought of that. One of the features of a bmw in the event of a wreck aka loss of power the doors unlock from the double locked position.

I will try that if I run into it again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by squidzilla (Post 1126705)

I was wondering this... But how did you actually do it? I can imagine it is probably a bit of a struggle...

Quote:

Originally Posted by amancuso (Post 1126587)

It's an '00? Ahh first year issues. Never get the first year of anything. :(

My wife's car may possibly be worse than a 2000 model I call it a 2000 1/2.

Her car was made in 2000 as a 2001 model year before they transitioned to using the OBD and still has the 20 pin port under the hood also. I think I'd actually rather have a 2000.

Some stuff is like a 2000 some stuff like a 2001 what a mess.

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewwynn (Post 1126730)

Mine is one of the first off the line I think. 02/00 build date.

Guess I just undo the torx screws and then pull like hell. Thinking the part wedged by the dash will be tough but those flimsy plastic clips will shear right off. I might unbolt the seat first and push it back so I have more room.

After that what the hell do I do? Just jam some flatheads in there and dick around until it opens? Or is there actually some sort of manual release mechanism? Maybe TIS docs have something on it.