Hi guys,

THis is my first post and couldn't find how to search this thing on this forum.

ANyway, I just got 2004 Mini cooper S.
When I lock with remote, it locks all door and no problem.
However, when I unlock, driver door is not unlock and I have to use a key to unlock.

Does anyone knows what part that I need to replace?
And is there DIY for that?

Thank you guys.

 

Sounds like either a loose cable in the door or a bad door lock actuator. I'd pop the door panel off and take a look. You can find some good info/pictures in similar threads if you do a search.

 

Thank you and I will do that.
Is there any DIY pages that shows how to remove door panel?

Thanks

 

Does the passenger door lock unlocks? If not, do you have a second key to lock and unlock the doors to compare the 1st remote. This issue happened to me and I opened the key to investigate and sure enough the unlock SMD switch inside the key came loose from its pad. I just re-solder it and its back to normal. If its not the key then proceed with the door actuator/wiring troubleshooting.

 

I have the exact same problem with my 2004. The driver side door locks fine but will not electronically unlock, either by the remote or the center console switch. It will mechanically unlock, either by the key or by pulling the inside door handle.

There is a huge thread in this forum describing the various door lock/unlock problems, which are quite common. I doubt there are a whole lot of 100K 1st gen Minis that haven't had door lock problems.

I've pretty well decided that the fix is a new electronic actuator. The thread shows some good pictures of the inside of the door and what you're up against if you decide to try a DIY repair. In addition, there are several youtube videos showing the repair. Although I'm a pretty good mechanic, it's extremely tight in there and I personally wouldn't attempt a repair on my own. I'm just living with the problem for now - using the key to unlock the door isn't exactly a hardship - until I have other issues requiring me to get inside the door. Given that our Minis are rather notorious for nickle/dime problems like this, I'm sure I won't have to wait terribly long. I just wish the repair cost a nickle or a dime - a new actuator installed by a dealer is about $700 all up.

- Mark

 

I think my armrest in 2005 is a little bit different than yours, but this should work.

I took a butter-knife from the kitchen, wrapped it with tape so it wouldn't scratch anything. The clips on the bottom seem tight at first, just get your tool (butter knife) right next to each one, twist the tool a little to pry the panel away from the metal, and they'll pop apart. One at a time. I was very worried that I would break the clips, but didn't break one. It all snapped back together just perfect too.

http://www.jwardell.com/mini/hkdoor.html

 

Wow,

THank you guys. Mine is same as MarkJenn's car.
lock is no problem but I only can unlock drive side door and other door is fine.

ANyway, thank you.

 

my 03 mcs will Respond to all of my lock functions with my key. (lock, roll up windows, sunroof...etc.) but nothing happens AT ALL if i hit unlock. I have bought new batteries for the key and reset it already. nothing. i have searched all over for this and nobody seems to have the problem of neither door unlocking with the key. The unlock button simply just doesnt work. I called my local mini and they said they have never heard of that happening. Please Help

 

Sounds like a bad actuator, (actually, only half bad if it locks but doesn't unlock with the remote).
It's a pretty common problem. Here's the BIG thread on it:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-problems.html

 

I have same year Mini and same exact problem, I just live with it though.

 

Does sound like the lock, had a couple people that it worked to lock but not unlock, like the upward actuator failed and its all one unit. You have to pull the door card off and get into the door jam to replace it.

Here is the door diagram for the Gen 1 MINI R50 R52 R53.




#1 in the diagram

Door Lock Unit - Left ( Driver Side )


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51200556768/





&



Door Lock Unit - Right ( Passenger Side )


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51200556769/





Also.

If you ever have the inside handle not work and everything else is find , check the cable connection first.

Here is # 9 in the diagram that is the cable. Set between the lock and handle.


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51217143538/



Thanks

 

Ok... My first post. My wife and I have become Mini nuts. Even our girlfriend bought one. Now I'm becoming a mini mechanic! I'm good with that as long I can get some help.
So my latest issue is locking/unlocking her 04 S. Passenger only opens manually. It locks with the key in driver door. It does not unlock with key; driverside does. The center console togel doesn't operate either door, locking/unlocking. The fob doesn't work anything. I've tried fob restet methods-
Any ideas???

 

I have an issue where the passenger door will not unlock with the key fob or button inside of car. It can only be unlocked by the pull of the door handle from inside. Everything works fine locking with the key but not unlocking. I hear and feel the actuator when it locks and attempts to unlock. You can feel it making noise like it's trying to unlock but nothing happens. How can this be fixed or does the actuator need to be replaced? Thanks.

 

I had same thing fixed it myself, ordered door lock actuator for $35 at a late model/import salvage yard

Sent from my iPhone using NAMotoring

 

I'm reviving this thread. I replaced the actuator two years ago with a new actuator. When I replaced it, I may have messed up the cable that connects to the door handle. I did not replace the cable at the time I replaced the actuator. Generally, since that time I have to use the toggle switch in the middle panel to get the passenger door to unlock in order to get the door open. Or I would have to pull the handle and grab the door stem to pull it up enough to be able to open the door. Recently the toggle switch was not locking or unlocking the door. Sometimes I could get a rubber mallet and bang the door right above the speaker. Sometimes that would get things going again and I could lock and unlock the door. A few days ago I couldn't get the door open. I couldn't pull the handle and pull the door stem high enough to get the door to unlock. Today I crawled into the car from the driver's side, banged the door with a rubber mallet above the speaker and simultaneously pressed the toggle switch and the door unlocked and I was able to unlock the door.

So I'm trying to figure out what to do. Since the actuator is new 9two years old) I don't think that's the issue. It's not located above the speaker anyway where I've been having to hit. Should I replace the cable first and see if that fixes the problem? Or does the window motor also send the lock and unlock signal and should I replace that? I haven't checked to see if the window is working when the car won't lock or unlock the door.

 

Cable first, then check the plug in the back of the center toggle bank, it might have popped out.

 

I know the toggle switch works because it locks and unlocks the driver's door with no problems. Could something be loose on the plug so that it would work on the driver's sdie door but not the passenger door? Why would the passenger door start working again (sometimes) after I bang on it above the speaker?

 

ok, ah.... its the connection at the door then, Open the door , take the door inside panel off and check those connections at the door and the harness. Inspect for splits or chaffed wires. Pull the weather seal rubber boot at the door jam and check there also.

Bet thats it.

 

One other thing I forgot which may be related. Many times when I pull the plastic door handle (underneath the metal door handle guard) from the outside, the door handle sticks and does not spring back. I have to hit the metal part of the door handle for the plastic door handle to pop or spring back. Would that be related to the problem.

I have the door panel off. If I understand your answer, I need to check all connections in the door to make sure everything is connected securely and check for any broken/frayed wiring in the harness. I'll check everything. The actuator is just two years old that I bought from you a couple of years ago so it should be in good shape.

 

Yea, sounds like the cable handle is sticking and you have a bad connection at the door harness.