Hi!

I just bought a bright yellow Mini Cooper a couple weeks ago. So far everything seems good, EXCEPT:

The passenger door doesn't unlock when you pull the inside handle. You can unlock it with the electric switch just fine, but it's a bit of a safety issue if the electrical goes out.

From what I've seen so far online, is that fixing the issue is rather involved. I think I might have a work around, but I thought I'd try and get some experienced opinions first. Here it goes:

I'm thinking of getting aftermarket door lock pulls. That way, should the need arise, I could always open the door by pulling the pull instead of the door handle - but: from what I've seen, the pulls in Minis are held in by friction, rather than screw threads. So - if that's the case, is the friction sufficient enough to keep the pulls from pulling off when unlocking?

Thanks! Getting this resolved will make me feel alot better,

-Christopher

 

Sorry for the overly basic confirmation, but have you pulled the door pull TWICE to unlock the door?

Just making sure you aren't just pulling it once with the door locked.
Need to pull it twice.

 

Using the end button on the directional stalk you can change the computer setting for this. Check your Manual..page 19

 

OaklandMini - thanks for asking, and yes - I've tried pulling on the handle twice (even more) with no luck!

Steve_in_NH - thanks for the suggestion - I've already changed the settings so that the doors don't automatically lock when I drive off. My fear is in an accident, should the door become locked, there is no way to open it again if the electrical isn't working. It's also kinda lame if the passenger locks the door, and has to use the center switch to get out.


Here's a question - I know there's an issue with the cable to the door handle coming loose, but can the same issue cause the handle to work only for opening the door and not unlocking the door - or would this more likely be an issue with the locking mechanism....

Thanks!

-Christopher

 

You probably need a new door locking mechanism, around $100. It's not to difficult to replace either. I had to replace this part a couple of times on my R53 for similar reasons. It's probably a similar part/design on the R56. What year do you have?

 

Here is the part diagram to help R56 version. The door lock is similar on the R53 design to the R56. But different part number of course.



R56+ Version

#1 in the diagram

Door Lock Unit - Left ( Driver Side )


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51212752595/



Door Lock Unit - Right ( Passenger Side )


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51212752596/




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


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51212754525/ES89593/



Thanks

 

Thanks Paul!

I have a 2007.

I had a sneaking suspicion it's the locking mechanism. Looking at the diagram, it looks like the connecting rod to the door pin isn't straight, but has a couple (or more) of right angle bends to it. If this is the case, I'm thinking my work around might not work - the idea was to buy after market door pins, and use them to unlock the door should the need arise. My initial concern was that since they don't attach with threads, but are friction held - that they'd pull right off when unlocking. Now I'm wondering if the whole rod, being bent and all would flex too much to even unlock the door by pulling on the pin...