Driver's Door Issue
 

So I waited until winter to have my basement finished here in CO and the X has to sit outside for a couple months. On a very cold December morning, I went to get in and when pulling on the handle, something inside the door broke - leaving me unable to open the door without rolling down the window to use the inside lever.

Any idea if this fix is a possible DIY, or do I just take it to the local mechanic. Keep in mind - the garage is full, so I'd need to do this in the driveway. DOH!

there should be spare X5 parts online somewhere. they should also be fairly easy to install.


That sucks!

It is probably the bowden cable connecting the inside handle to the latch mechinism. Is the inside handle just flop around, or does it feel like its still attached to something?

If its just the cable, its a easy DIY, have to pop the door panel off and replace the cable. Should be able to do it outside in the winter without too much difficulty, since your are not from california and consider anything less than 50 degrees freezing cold!! :rofl::rofl:

it's a DIY but not in freezing weather
 

it's not the bowden cable as mentioned in the previous post since you used the inside handle to open the door. it's likely to be the cable that connects the outdoor handle to the door lock actuator. it isn't that tough to replace but it takes time and i wouldn't want to be attacking this if it's freezing out since it's a tight space in the door and will require bare hands.
it requires removing the door panel and then getting to the actuator. here's a pic that shows the actuator and its connections. my guess is that "C" broke.

"A" connects to the "button" you see from the inside of your car that's up when the car is open and down when it's locked.

"B" receives the end that is attached to the key cylinder. i.e. when you turn the key, this white receiver rotates.

"C" gets pulled up when you lift the outside handle

"D" gets pulled when you pull the inside handle

both C & D are pulled by a cable similar to the brakes on a bicycle. in both cases, you can see the part that holds the cable sheath.

http://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/x...53doorlock.jpg

I have the same exact problem. Is there any parts that i would need to purchase from the dealer before i take it apart.

hard to know until you get in there and find out what's wrong.

I have the same problem, except Part A which connects the rod that goes up and down doesnt go up all the time, it will stay stuck in the door. So im guessing i should try lubing it first and if not change the actuator.

It's probably your driver's side carrier assy. that needs replacing. Check this link for more info and a couple pics: http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...hlight=CARRIER

I just replaced both my fronts as have a few other members on here, so it IS a DIY repair fosheezy, although I wouldn't want to be doing it unless I had access to a garage or heated parkade:thumbup:

Yeh I'm not sure because I can open it fine from the inside and when the door does unlock it can be opened from the outside.
some people say carrier and others say actuators.

If you are up to it, take the door panel off so that you can see what's going on, and also to get experience on doing half the job after you figure out what's exactly wrong:thumbup: