How to manually open barn / split doors (SOLVED)
 

Anybody know how? Mine quit popping open. The motor just whines. Sounds like the same issue as here:

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-pop-open.html

But, I cannot get the door open. I've tried pulling the boot out of the way to see a little. I've pulled the panel away from the door too so I can kinda see in behind it a little. But I cannot get the latch to release.

It won't just pry open. Any idea how to trip the release?

thx
--Dan

(Updated: Figured it out. Pics in posts 9 & 10)

I don't have an answer, sorry, but I personally think there should be a manual release escape handle... but there isn't.

I just saw a post in the Standard Issues and Problems (or something like that) thread showing that there is a release cable under the rear seat for the R56.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...en-it-boot.jpg

This is from a 2008 R56 owner's manual, as seen here. I haven't seen a corresponding page in the R55 manual, but I intend to pull up my rear seat and look (someday).

Yeah, thanks. Just looked. No release :roll:. I cannot frikin believe they did not put in a manual backup to open these doors.

Nor I. I am even more incredulous now that I see the hardtop has an escape handle. Although, if my car is sinking nose-first in quicksand, not sure I'd remember to remove the rear seat cushion to prepare for escape.

Come to think of it, maybe the Motoring Advisors at MINI dealerships should do a demonstration like airline steward/stewardesses do prior to take-off.

http://www.skywingsinc.com/flight_attendant.jpg

What exactly stopped working? Just the "pop out" feature when you hold the 3rd button on the keyfob? Does the barn doors still unlock? I can open mine with the buttons from outside of the door after pressing the 2nd button on the keyfob. yours might be set differently though, but it should still unlock after unlocking the passenger door. maybe press unlock twice then the button behind the handle of the passengerside barn door. see if that works. :thumbsup:

The unlock motor is broke. It won't unlock so I can't open them. I can hear the motor whirring when I try to unlock, but nothing else.

Ok, so I finally got a new motor ordered. Once I had the new one in hand, I could see there is a spot for a cable to attach for a manual release.

Knowing what and where it was I was able to pull the inside panel off the door and pull it out enough to reach in behind and get to the latch to get it to release. I used a punch, but a long reach, skinny flat tip screw driver would probably work best.

You just have to get it onto the release (where the cable would go if there was one :roll:) and push it towards the back and it'll release. Once I knew exactly what I was looking for it only took a couple minutes of poking around to trip it. Then the motor is 2 screws & about 90 sec to change :grin:.

These pics show the release and where you have to catch it with a screw driver / punch:

And a view as installed in the door. This is the part you have to do by feel reaching in behind the door cover. Come in through the top. You can kinda sorta see a little bit down from the top, but it's mostly by feel.

--Dan

Thank you Mr. Houlster! My electric latch also failed, however mine was in the drivers side Boot/Back/Barn door. I have been trying to figure out how to get the door open for days and had committed to cutting the striker. Thankfully I didn't have to but what a Pain in the ASS.

I'll post photos of the location of the drivers side latch and how to get to it later.
Thanks again

#3 is the driver side ( left rear ) lock mechanism. 51247167498


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51247167498/

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/468680_x600.jpg

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/i/n/306.png

&

#1 Right rear lock. 51492754459


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51492754459/

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/418422_x600.jpg

You might have to go through the trunk from the inside and try lifting up the lower trim sill to expose the lock mechanism? Or from the right barn door open to the sill.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/c/t/488.png

#7 in picture.

Great images from the manual. Yup #3 broke and is very difficult to get at. I ended up breaking the sill trim a little but there really is no other way to get the latch open. its just a small break to allow the striker (4) through.Attachment 76757

The sill panel has four pins that are fairly easy to remove. Once they are out just give it a good pull and it should come free. Attachment 76758

Once that is out of the way, it is possible to get to the latch. It was easier for me to take the screws out and then I was able to pull the latch to one side and jam a flat blade screw driver into the latch and pop the latch open. the latch is on the drivers side and very difficult to get to. Once the door is open it's not too bad. I'm waiting on new parts but I figure I should have the whole thing back together in 30 minutes or so.

I'm half tempted now to take mine out and put a short cable on it (or maybe both latches) somewhere I can reach it if/when the other one craps out.

--Dan

How much was the lock mechanism and can you get it from somewhere else then Mini? I was told the door panel gets trashed and you have to end up replacing it. Fact or fiction?

Don' t know about the door panel being damaged, but the parts are above in post #12 and available from MINI as a genuine part at this time.

I guess you are talking about #1 on the door?

Thanks

Mine driver side just stopped working also, but no wine or motor running sound. I happened to notice two drops of what looked like oil on the door sill, #7 above and can see the same fluid along the inside of the driver’s side door paneling. I assumed this was the latch #3 but now as I re-read the thread could it be the handle? I don’t know what would have oily fluid that would leak? I’ll have to try and pull the inside paneling off to have a better look once I manually get the door open.

Just did this and cut the door panel so when (not if, thanks mini :roll:) it happens again I'll be able to pop the panel off all the way with the door closed.

Also I would highly highly recommend replacing the driver side latch when the passenger side ones fails, even if it's still functional. Taking a good look at the driver side I don't know how you would be able to do something like this on the drivers side latch, even if you had the passenger door open. The passenger side should fail before the driver side simply because it is used more often. Depending on how often you open both doors, there's really no telling how soon after the driver side would fail after the passenger side.

Picture of the cut panel:
Attachment 196014

Coincidently the left latch stopped working after installing a new battery. That is another story but I tried the battery disconnect for a few minutes and re-connect trick and that got it working again. I went ahead and replaced both left and right side so I wouldn’t have to deal with a potential failed latch. They are not very expensive and it was fairly easy to do.

hi guys,

my right barn door lock failed to engage. I have ordered the part but I have no idea how to take the plastic cover off. Any suggestions. I did managed to take the top part, the plastic covers that goes around the window frame, off. But the bottom one seems firmly attached.

Any pic/video on how would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Joseph

--------------------------- Sovled!! --------------
I was just being too whimpy. A little more force finally took the the cover off starting from the top of the cover and "peel" it off.

Thanks guys.

Joseph

I had mine apart a few weeks back. It just pulls off - that is to say - while in the car - pull it firmly to the front of the car.

danjreed,

Thank you very much for the reply. I eventually got it off and successfully replaced the lock.

Thanks,
Joseph

Awesome, glad you were able to get that panel off.

Is this showing the Left (Driver) side rear door lock??
 

Can someone tell me exactly how to access the LEFT rear door lock please?
I have seen quotes about removing the bottom sill and breaking it slightly. I have seen others talk about removing the trim around the window. Any photos showing how to access would be great! Thanks:roll:

Left rear door release
 

You do not have to take the cover off the door. the latch is under the door behind the plastic trim panel behind the warning triangle.

Once that sill trim is off you will be able to see the latch. on the outboard side of the latch there is a small release lever. I used a small screw driver and jammed it into it until it released. I removed the mounting screws to get a better look at what I was doing but I dont know if that makes it any easier. I posted some photos of my repair about half way up this thread.