Drivers side wont unlock but will lock???

[LimitlessTI]

Hey all, well i searched around here and was only able to find a few threads close to mine. When I try to unlock the door from my drivers side it wont unlock, the lock wont budge. BUT it will lock the door which i cant figure out. Maybe a dead actuator but im unsure. My hatch and passenger door work fine. My girlfriend thinks im being sweet when i unlock the door on her side to let her in but little does she know thats the only way to unlock Any ideas other than just replacing the whole locking mechanism?

[Maverix]

Originally Posted by LimitlessTI

Any ideas other than just replacing the whole locking mechanism?

Buy a new car?

[lazoh]

Originally Posted by LimitlessTI

Hey all, well i searched around here and was only able to find a few threads close to mine. When I try to unlock the door from my drivers side it wont unlock, the lock wont budge. BUT it will lock the door which i cant figure out. Maybe a dead actuator but im unsure. My hatch and passenger door work fine. My girlfriend thinks im being sweet when i unlock the door on her side to let her in but little does she know thats the only way to unlock Any ideas other than just replacing the whole locking mechanism?

Same thing happened to me with my late '95 ti, you are lucky that you can still use the other door. Is your key a master key? If not get a master key and that might help, in any case keys do wear out. Good luck and you can always use the trunk to open all doors and that will prevent your girlfriend from thinking that you are so nice

[LimitlessTI]

Buy a new car?

lol thought about that but there arent very many TI's around here.If i could afford it then i would be driving a new 135 but sadley enough my funds arent that stacked .

Originally Posted by lazoh

Same thing happened to me with my late '95 ti, you are lucky that you can still use the other door. Is your key a master key? If not get a master key and that might help, in any case keys do wear out. Good luck and you can always use the trunk to open all doors and that will prevent your girlfriend from thinking that you are so nice

hahah. Yea its the master key. And the ONLY key i have. Mines a 95 as well.

[aceyx]

Try wiggling the key while turning.

My key was worn down so it was concave on both sides (look at it sideways) and it wouldn't turn the tumbler mechanism. Only solution was a new key.

[Maverix]

Originally Posted by aceyx

Try wiggling the key while turning.

My key was worn down so it was concave on both sides (look at it sideways) and it wouldn't turn the tumbler mechanism. Only solution was a new key.

If that was the issue, then wouldn't both doors be having the problem?

[LimitlessTI]

Originally Posted by aceyx

Try wiggling the key while turning.

My key was worn down so it was concave on both sides (look at it sideways) and it wouldn't turn the tumbler mechanism. Only solution was a new key.

Just tried it and that worked. Crap now i have to get another key. My local dealer wants $60 i believe was the quote when i last called because this is the only key i have. Oh well. I never thought to wiggle it , i guess i didnt want to mess anything else up. Thanks aceyx

[LimitlessTI]

Originally Posted by Maverix

If that was the issue, then wouldn't both doors be having the problem?

yea thats what i thought, but i guess i just got pwned by a 13 year old lock

[aceyx]

Originally Posted by Maverix

If that was the issue, then wouldn't both doors be having the problem?

Not really. On the driver's side both the cylinder and the key are worn down. On the passenger side the cylinder isn't worn but the key is. That small difference is considerable to a tumbler mechanism.

When my key was wearing down I locked/unlocked from the hatch. But take a look at your key sideways so the cut edge is facing you and away, you should see that it's slightly indented on the top and bottom.


Try other dealers as well, I don't recall paying over $40 for the master lighted key.

[Rikity]

I have a similar problem, except i have Remote central locking.
If i try to lock it, sometimes it will only lock the passenger door, and same with unlock, only unlocking the passenger door.
It doesn't happen all the time which confuses me, It can't be the battery because wouldn't it decide to not work on both doors?

[elchicano]

I paid $65 dollars for a master key with no light. Yeah i had the same problem before and it was due to a worn down key.

[Rikity]

Thing is, is that i don't use my key. so it must be a problem with the door itself?

[aceyx]

Originally Posted by Rikity

I have a similar problem, except i have Remote central locking.
If i try to lock it, sometimes it will only lock the passenger door, and same with unlock, only unlocking the passenger door.
It doesn't happen all the time which confuses me, It can't be the battery because wouldn't it decide to not work on both doors?

Sounds like a problem with the driver's side actuator.

[Rikity]

BMW Door problems seem to be very common, my Step mum drives a 323Ci, and the drivers door is very stiff to open, you really have to yank it.

[aceyx]

That actually sounds like an alignment problem. Check to make sure the door has an even gap with the frame and that the latch mechanism is lined up.

I had a problem with a stiff door, the cause of it was an improperly seated weatherstrip. Everyone thought they were going to break the handle, I thought they were just weak until I had a look.