Driver door will not open inside or out

[jgood808]

Here is the issue...the other day I unlocked my door with the key and it unlocked everything, I lifted the handle and nothing. Tried from inside and nothing. It will unlock the doors from inside and out but I am not able to physically open the drivers door. I have taken off the door panel to look to see if anything was broken and nothing is broken and all the moving parts move as they should. I have tried all the "dealbolted" tricks I have found and nothing works. If anyone has any idea of what could be wrong or how to fix it that would be awesome as I am tired of playing the DUKES OF HAZZARD theme song to justify me climbing in and out of the window everyday!

98 318ti M-tech

[Ji Money]

How did you get the door panel apart with the door being shut?

I had a different issue a few days ago where my car door would not remain shut after I opened it. I got a car wash that day and everything froze within the door mechanism somewhere. I had to tie a computer power cord to the door handle and drive home while holding onto it! It eventually melted somewhere and now the door stays shut.

[jgood808]

Well, lets say that there is 3 retaining clips that will need to be replaced when I get it opened and fixed. But just unscrewed the 2 in the handle and mirror control and the two at the bottom and just pulled till it cam out. Sucks ass and the wife doesn't want to ride in my car now!

[Ji Money]

Haha, that's too funny about the wife. Damn, I guess I don't have any suggestions about fixing the door though.

[budget76]

I had a similar problem one time. It turned out to be the lock "pin" that you see go up and down was kind of stuck in the middle and not letting either handle work. Try pushing the lock all the way down/pull it up manually, maybe with the cold weather the electric couldn't quite unlock it fully

[jgood808]

The manual works great, the keys work from every door and hatch, it is just the drivers door will not open at all. I am at a loss as to what it could be at this point, I think I am going to have to bring it in and just cough up the dough to get it fixed. Damnit....

[wolferj-RIP]

Jgood, I don't have any actual suggestions, but maybe these links would help...

http://bimmerinfo.com/diy/e36_door_handle_removal.htm
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/557789582nyYUxv
http://hock.net/m-door-lock-actuator.php

They all address some different DIY's of door lock issues and maybe the pics etc. will help you figure out what is causing your problem.

Good luck!

[jgood808]

Thanks for the links, they will work great in replacing the actuator, however, no where does any link say how to get the door opened to replace it! That is my issue, I need to get the damn door opened. Trying not to bring it in for the shop to do it. Oh well, thanks again and if you run across something let me know.


jeff

[pdxmotorhead]

Your problem is in the mechanism that actually grabs the pin to hold the door shut. Its over-travelled and jammed. I had another car do the same thing. I had someone hold the door handle up from the outside and I kicked the door form the inside and it popped open.

Once I got it open I removed the latch and had to hammer a piece flat that had somehow bent... Eventually I replaced the latch..

Good Luck..

Dave

[justmanson]

^ +1 had a similar problem and had to use the above method to open it. I ended up using white lithium grease to help release the latch which worked fine. had the car years later and never had that problem again. Replacing the latch would probably also resolve the issue. Ohh and make sure that the person holding the handle isn't standing right in front of the door... its funny when it hits them, but not if its your wife.

[pdxmotorhead]

LOL YEs the should use a string to hold the door handle up,,, it opens rather abruptly....

ANd yes yhour wife would be unhappy,,,, rofl

Dave

[adamb]

Back from the dead!

I am now having this same issue! Also I am getting really annoyed from having to "nascar" my way in and out.

I will try the door handle/kick method when i get a change. I'm wondering if the OP ever got this door opened on his own, with the pull and kick method or did you take it in to the dealer??

The other day i was able to somehow re-sync the door locks or something, im not sure exactly what i did but the door opened after playing around with the key and alarm fob (aftermarket) and it was working fine as long as i used the central lock button in the console to lock and unlock the doors. But then i was in a hurry and out of habit pulled the door handle and bam! not working anymore. So now i need to get the door open again and i haven't had any luck playing with the keys since.