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Old 01-13-2015, 07:43 PM   #1
leeko617
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Default Driver side door won't open, from inside and outside

Hey guys. Today I woke up to a pleasant surprise that my driver side door just refuses to open. I don't have a remote for my car, so I unlock it by turning the key in the door. However as of right now, the key refuses to turn in any direction from the outside. I unlocked the car from the passenger side and tried to open the door from the inside but still nothing. The door lock plunger moves when I pull the inside handle, but thats about it. It's been really frustrating and I've been reading a ton of articles but none match up to a problem on both the outside and inside. Any insight or advice? Thanks
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Old 02-15-2016, 04:57 PM   #2
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I know this is an old post but I am having this same issue except the key will turn on mine. It was below zero degrees f yesterday when this problem started. I have it in the garage at work today warming up but still will not open. Anyone have any ideas?
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Old 02-16-2016, 04:14 AM   #3
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I'm having the same issue on my 540it. Tried to diagnose it using another 5 series at the yards today and the only thing I can reckon is that the latch mechanism is stuck and the actuator/door handle can't budge it. Same happens on my 325i once in awhile.

Trying to figure out if I need to perform surgery on my door card to get to the latch. (I have an exact spare if I need to... )

I'll post next week what I end up doing. Perhaps it may apply to our TI's.
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1998 318ti Sport - "Cali" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, Cali top
1998 318ti Sport - "Max" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, S52
1997 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior
1995 318ti Active - "Blanca" Alpineweib III/Schwartz leather interior

Other Current Bimmers: 2006 530i / 2000 2.3L Z3 / 1997 1.9L Z3 / 1999 540it

1997 318ti Sport - "Huera" - RIP
1995 318ti Active - RIP
1995 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Sold
1994 325i Sedan - "Jade" - Sold
1991 318ic - "Bert" - Sold
1985 635csi sold
1984 533i "Max" Sold
1984 318i sold

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Old 02-21-2016, 03:14 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 6cyl View Post
I know this is an old post but I am having this same issue except the key will turn on mine. It was below zero degrees f yesterday when this problem started. I have it in the garage at work today warming up but still will not open. Anyone have any ideas?
Hey 6cyl. Sorry took a while to respond. Also, nice to see another person from Massachusetts . Back when I had the problem, it eventually resolved itself over time once the weather got warmer. I was really unsure about what happened but I guessed something had frozen or started not to work from cold weather. Hopefully it works now that the weather is oddly warm. Try using the key hole protection stuff too! Sorry can't help more than that.
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Old 03-03-2016, 06:48 PM   #5
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So I finally got my door open. It was as easy as:
- Taking apart both doors to study the passenger side latch mechanism then replicating the movement on the driver side. This didn't fix the problem.
- Doing lots of searching online and not finding a satisfactory solution.
- Ordering a Bentley manual which offered no advice except for oil/lube everything.
- Ordering a new latch mechanism from BMW.
- Studying every bit of the new mechanism to see if I could pick my way into unlatching the door from inside the door panel (no such luck).
- Eventually we ended up drilling a few holes in the side if the latch from inside the door to get the pick in to release the catch.

I will take and post a reference photo of where you need to drill the hole if anyone else runs into this issue.

Then installed the new latch. Door works better than ever.

The culprit seems to be crud that built up over the ~18 years / 212k miles this car has been on the road. I think it trapped moisture and when the temp dropped below -10f it froze some part of the mechanism. Then when I tried to open the door something slipped/broke/cracked and wedged the lever that presses on the catch. Even with it out of the car it is impossible to move.
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Old 03-03-2016, 07:30 PM   #6
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Thanks for jotting this down. I have a E39 with the same condition to troubleshoot once I finish off other cars in my project queue.


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1998 318ti Sport - "Cali" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, Cali top
1998 318ti Sport - "Max" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior, S52
1997 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Schwartz II/Schwartz sport interior
1995 318ti Active - "Blanca" Alpineweib III/Schwartz leather interior

Other Current Bimmers: 2006 530i / 2000 2.3L Z3 / 1997 1.9L Z3 / 1999 540it

1997 318ti Sport - "Huera" - RIP
1995 318ti Active - RIP
1995 318ti Sport - "Tiny" Sold
1994 325i Sedan - "Jade" - Sold
1991 318ic - "Bert" - Sold
1985 635csi sold
1984 533i "Max" Sold
1984 318i sold

BMWCCA #160411

SUPPORT 318ti.org! CLICK THE LINK ABOVE!
Hosting a forum like this is not free. 318ti.org is one of the best BMW forums on the web because it is member supported, not vendor supported. The cost to become a Supporter is a nominal $10.00... A YEAR! DO IT! NOW!
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Old 03-19-2019, 01:13 AM   #7
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Default driver door won't open from inside and outside

Quote:
Originally Posted by 6cyl View Post
So I finally got my door open. It was as easy as:
- Taking apart both doors to study the passenger side latch mechanism then replicating the movement on the driver side. This didn't fix the problem.
- Doing lots of searching online and not finding a satisfactory solution.
- Ordering a Bentley manual which offered no advice except for oil/lube everything.
- Ordering a new latch mechanism from BMW.
- Studying every bit of the new mechanism to see if I could pick my way into unlatching the door from inside the door panel (no such luck).
- Eventually we ended up drilling a few holes in the side if the latch from inside the door to get the pick in to release the catch.

I will take and post a reference photo of where you need to drill the hole if anyone else runs into this issue.

Then installed the new latch. Door works better than ever.

The culprit seems to be crud that built up over the ~18 years / 212k miles this car has been on the road. I think it trapped moisture and when the temp dropped below -10f it froze some part of the mechanism. Then when I tried to open the door something slipped/broke/cracked and wedged the lever that presses on the catch. Even with it out of the car it is impossible to move.

Hi,
I think your idea to drill holes is great. My question is where and how big?
Please help me.
Thank you.
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Old 03-19-2019, 01:15 AM   #8
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Hi,
I think your idea to drill holes is great. My question is where and how big?
Please help me.
Thank you.
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