DOOR WONT OPEN FROM INSIDE OTHER ISSUES TOO!!! HELP!!!
 

Ok let me start off saying I searched for the issues on here and cant find my specific issue.

Issues:

a. For months the locks would not lock with the remote, sometimes it would unlock though.

b. Then it completely stopped. Have to use the key.

c. Now the handle on inside wont open the door. It seems to be lose like a linkage disconnected.

d. Also the window seems almost out of track. Sometimes it makes a pop sound when I roll it down.

e. Are these related to one another or all seperate issues inside the door.

f. I did have the door carrier done on this door 2 years ago.

g. If I try to take a look inside should I be alarmed about the side air bag?!!

Any help would be great.

you need to open up the door panel, replace the window clips, as they probably wore out since you last replacement (if you replaced them then), and also you need to reattach the bowden cable on the lock, assuming that nothing broke in the lock carrier...

do not disconnect the airbag, but you wish to do so, disconnect the battery first, then work with airbag, and DO NOT reconnect the battery with airbag unplugged, as it will activate the airbag light in the dash, that you will need to turn off, either using the special hardware/software, or going to a dealer/indy...

So If I dont disconnect the air bag I should be safe? And leave the battery connected while I take a look? Any special tools I need to do this? IS this gonna be worth trying a DYI? Or should I take it to a shop. Im a average mechanic. I have done Oil change, Spark Plugs, Water Pump, thermostat, All drive belts and Blower Motor Resistor. Just to help gauge my experience for you to judge

Thanks man you are the shit

you did water pump? you will be ok with the door... take the panel off, it calls for regular tools (torx bits), since the airbag will be in your way, unscrew the bolts holding it (4 bolts), use a wire coat hanger to SECURE the bag to the car's frame, so it does not dangle around, remove the inner coverings of the door (after that you may put the bag back on with a couple of turns on each bolt, just to sit there...

then, line up the glass with the holes/openings on the rails, so you can take the plastic clips off - the clips are about $1 from my local dealer, but i've heard they are like $5 from dealers in CA... replace the clips even if they look good... see if the cable is tangled up, if it is, you might need a new regulator... make sure the glass is in the tracks, you might use graphite lube to lube the tracks.

then check the lock - it is behind the airbag, so you will need to secure it with the coat hanger again...

Great! I will give it a try..... You are awesome man....... Cheers! Do you know of a DYI article that might give me visuals?

OH what about the lock issue? What you think that is? I wanna do this all in one shot since door will be apart

at the top of every page is a link, HOW-TO, when you click on the link, you get the tips for the X5, on the next page, there is an article #29 under interior tips - that article talks about the door panel removal http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/...nt-bmw-x5.html

as far as the lock goes - you may have a broken carrier, or you may have disengaged bowden cable... or, the bowden cable may be damaged. it seem that you may have to pop the door cover open, identify the problem, stick the panel back temporarily, get the right parts and get to the door again... or, throw parts at the door, and just buy things and be prepared for the worst...

With the window, i suspect the clips, as they are the first ones to go, but with the clips' failure you may have cascading issue with the regulator and then, with the motor...

with the lock, you may have multiple items that are just simply broken, from the lock carrier, to the bowden cable assembly to the door handle hooks on the inside...

i am too lazy to do a search but if you do a search, you should turn up a lot of good information on the both subjects... search for window clip, you will get the part number for the clip, it is a "must replace"...

also, create a signature line, put your car's basic info, so other folks, reading this thread can pitch in and help out... go to the top right corner of the screen, USER CP, in there you will see the signature, put whatever you want to put there, to identify your ride... it helps a lot...

So I took apart the door. Just aimed at the handle at the moment its the most inconvenient issue. Well I thought the bowden cable under the inside door was the issue like it disconnected. But when I put it all together it still has the same issue. Like the cable itself is still loose. The handle seems loose almost like its not engaged on the door handle side possibly. I want to do more reseach before I go at it again. Any suggestions

if the cable is loose, it means that either it is loose on the handle end, in the middle of the cable's body itself, or on the lock end - there are only so many places that the cable goes to or through... another thing is, the cable might not be routed properly, as the channel in which it is routed is holding the cable and does not let it flex - check out my write up on the e39 - Door handle replacement, you see step 6?... this could be the issue here... i mean, similar to the e39...

The issue was where the cable position into the plastic pice on the lock latch actuator. I rigged it up so the door opens but now Im getting "Door Open" message, which I guess the sensor is in this part. Also my locks were laggy and sometimes would not lock on that door. Leaning toward replacing it with a new one now. Also my General Module is faulty. You did help me with the window issue it was those stupid clips. One was not even attached to the window!

Interior handle - cable slack
 

Wanted to add my own recent experience. Pulled driver door handle on my 03 X5 3.0i yesterday, felt a snap, and line went slack. I could tell the cable was still connected (could hear the action near the exterior door handle). Read some posts here and took the door off to inspect. I'll add some emphasis to previous posts about this procedure:

- be gentle removing the wood trim panel
- window switch assembly comes off easily, but the main plug-in is a little tricky. The latch slides straight out and doesn't come easily. Don't try to pull the plug straight up without moving the latch out.
- great tip on using a bungee to hold the airbag from the door so you don't have to disconnect from power.
- the inside handle connection to the cable is also tricky. A little lift clip holds it in place, but it's hard to see on the back side of the door. I flipped the door panel around while still connected...

Anyway, I found the cable guide had come off the plastic clip. In my case, the clip had cracked but not broken off. I started to repair with zip ties, then decided to try a hose clamp instead. Perfect width to provide even pressure and unlikely to break (like the zip ties). I'm posting a picture here. Put back together and the handle works perfectly again. Feels very solid. Hope this helps...