So this morning, I'm trying to get out of my car, and my door won't open. The handle was moving but I could tell that it wasn't really doing anything. It was just too easy to move and no resistance. I had to crawl over the passenger side to get out. Once out I tried to get into the car from the driver's side and it worked. My door just won't open from the inside. Any ideas what may be wrong with it or how I can fix it? Its been really cold lately, so maybe do I need to regrease it or something? Anything would be helpful

 

Make sure there is no snow or ice packed in behind the black lever of the outside door handle. Either pick it out or melt it with lock deicer, or a hairdryer.

Mark

 

Sounds like the Bowden cable for the interior handle is broken. It has happened to a good number of people, though I can't recall if there is a TSB out for this. If you're handy, you could repair it yourself - I had mine done under warranty, since it was one of the few fixes that the dealership would have a hard time blaming on aftermarket mods. Lots of other threads about this problem in the Stock Issues forum for you to peruse and determine if it is indeed the cable. Best of luck!

 

Check what Lotsie said first.

Cable can snap... but more common is one of the cable clips came loose and now because of the slack it will not operate correctly. I'd call this a common problem that comes up quite often. You've got to remove the inside door panel to take a look.

Cold weather and MINIs seem to not get along well. Hendrix is so lucky that the Blazer 4x4 fulfills all Winter duties.

 

Is is hard to fix the cable if that's what it is? Any idea on how to? If it snapped, where do you think I could find a new one? Like VIP or something?

 

Early MINIs 02-03 had both cable and outside handle icing issues. My outside handles were changed to 04 handles because of icing. They have stronger springs to help the handle return to the normal position. If it does not return because of ice/snow, the internals of the latching system will not cycle properly and the door won't open. But usually from either inside or out.

Mark

 

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts...88&hg=41&fg=40

Part 12 is the clip I believe. Ususally the cable just snaps back in, and then add a wire tie or two to it.

 

Got a 02 MCS and I had the drivers door not open a couple of times now since i have owned it. Back to what "latte hiatus" posted their right..If you are handy then it really is a quick fix on your own. I have fixed this several times within less than 20 minutes by just taking off the door panel and snapping it back on or into place. It will get you by for the mean time until you want to fix it. Then you won't have to result to rolling down the driver's window and opening it from outside.

I am looking into getting the piece/pieces to fix the problem for good since it has occur more frequently within the past couple of months.

Good luck!

 

Thanks Everyone!!