Hi everyone,
Briefly owned a mini in the past and loved it, so I picked up a 2004 in hopes to lose a car payment.
When I purchased the car, the PO informed me that the drivers side door would not open from inside. It did open from outside.
I did a lot of reading on this site regarding bowden cable fixes and replacement. I purchased parts to "fix" cable and also a new cable.
The car would never lock on drivers side, and the key has zero resistance.
The FOB was very worn and the lock button didnt work. It was missing the plunger on momentary switch on FOB board.
I purchased a switch and soldered it on, and gave it a try......
SH&%!, I depressed the lock button and heard locks engage, passenger door locks and unlocks as it should.
Drivers door no longer opens from either side!
What is my course of action? Can I get panel off while door is closed?
In addition, when he had his handyman look at it, he left the little manual lock rod off.

 

Do you have a copy of the Bentley manual?

I found one on eBay, a pdf that wasn’t too expensive.

I’ll look closer when I’m off work, but the general idea is to jumper across the Unlock button and see if you can get it unlocked that way.

Isn’t the Unlock button on the console? Can’t remember for sure. Or have you already tried this?

 

Thanks for the reply, I don't yet, but may grab a pdf off ebay, like to have hard copy too.
The issue is a mechanical one, rather than electrical, unless the actuator is having issues in addition. The unlock on Fob and inside car is functioning, apparently just not on drivers side. I may have to listen and see if I can hear it. It opened from the outside until I repaired fob which apparently locked drivers, but nothing will unlock.
I'm pretty sure I will need to gain access to cable and latch by either removing door panel, or getting enough room between panel to disengage latch.