Drivers Door won't open - after changing handle carrier
 

I broke my drivers door handle carrier by being heavy handed during the recent freeze - though I could still open the door using the inside handle/opener after opening the windows with the remote.

I followed the procedures here http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-fix-pics.html to replace it and have to say the change went great.

After putting it all back together the door handle worked about 3 times but now the door is firmly stuck closed - won't open whether I try with the inside or outside handle.

Door seems to lock/unlock with remote (button pops up and down) but door stays shut. Windows work fine with remote and switches on the door.

I am trying to remove the door panel with the door shut but as it's now dark and kin freezing I've knocked it on the head - probably till next weekend.

Has anyone got any tips for this one?

Cheers

Hi Sheepdip - glad the post was of help in changing out the carrier. Seems as if the lock mechanism where the carrier cable attaches has stuck or at least not returned fully to the rest position. You should be able to free it again using a wire coat hanger as described in the begining of the how-to post without having to disassemble anything.

Did you lube the lock mechanism during the carrier replacement job?

Check that the carrier cable was re-attached to the door lock in the right position - this may be causing the problem - see pic.

Thanks for the quick reply Brian

I did try the coat hanger fiddle but don't know if I actually found the lever

I've managed to get the door panel off at the top so I'll take another look as soon as it's light and a bit warmer

I did soak everything in spray on silicone grease

I'm pretty sure everything is in teh right place but will check again, its a righty sod trying to get the pane off with teh door closed


Cheers

Mike

Mine was frozen and I pulled it too hard and snapped the cable loose I think.
The exterior door handle sticks out a bit .. I have to use the interior door handle to go in.

Think I just snatched the cable loose and need to go back and reattach it?

Sorry didnt mean to thread crap

That's exactly what I did but it broke the cable retainer off the handle carrier

if I open the door can I snap it back in or do I need to buy the handle carrier?

I rather just snap it back in and park my car in the garage from now on

Aimster,

If your door handle is sticking out a little bit like in the photo, most likely the carrier is broken vice the cable or the cable latch.

My driver's side door handle did the same last month. The cable and latch are actually pretty solid. Most of the breakage is near the spring--the weakest point. There is only about 5mm of metal on that particular point.

I replaced mine right away, and it took about 1.5 hrs. I didn't want to take any chances of the inside door handle breaking at the same time--and with the door closed! I recommend getting it fixed ASAP.

Door card removal with door shut
 

I can confirm that it is possible to remove the door panel when the door is locked shut. I can't explain how I did it as I just used sheer bloody minded determination, a lot of wiggling and twisting, and I motored the seat back and forth a lot it just sort of came of in my hand.

As a result I have released the stuck levers and can now get in and out again from the inside. It looks like the carrier may have broken again but I'ts gonna be quite a while before I have the time to take a proper look.

Cheers for all the advice

Mike

Yep,it just happen to me this pass Monday,I pulled on driver door handle and nothing happened and the stuck out like it does in the picture.So today i took it to my mechanic and he showed the broken carrier and replaced with a new one,now the door opens better then ever....

wow, I did this the second day I owned my X!! its a common failure, even the dealerships around here have the door carrier in stock all the time!