I cannot open my door from inside the car. When the doors are locked and I pull the handle once, the door is unlocked. However, pulling the handle again does nothing. I tried unlocking the doors from the center console; this unlocks the doors, but I still can't open the door.
But when i close the door for the first time (when the door is unlocked) and pull the handle, the door opens.
Also, when the car is unlocked and I pull the outside door handle for the first time, nothing happens. I need to grab the handle again to open the door.

I recently moved to a location with a lot of snow (UP, Michigan). Maybe this has something to do with the issue, as this problem is pretty recent.

Any suggestions as to which component has failed in the lock actuator?

 

Does this only happen when it is freezing (or below?).

Mine exhibits a similar problem on the passenger side. The external handle sticks when opening the door, so the door won't close. It needs to be popped loose (hit the handle) before the mechanism releases and is able to close.

I'm not familiar with the door internals, but based on what you said it sounds like something is sticking. I have not yet disassembled my door to investigate. Sorry I can't be more help.

 

I think so too, its as if something is sticking in the mechanism.
I'll keep an eye out to see if the external handle is stuck. It will be below freezing for the next 2 3 weeks at least, so I dont have a chance to check if the door works in warmer weather.

Thanks for the help

 

I just checked, the handle dosent seem to be stuck (hit it a couple of times before closing and i can 'feel' the handle weigh up when I pull it)

 

My passenger door does something similar; the black "trigger" sticks in the metal part when it is cold and I have to diddle the front end of it to get the rear end to come back out. If it is stuck way in, the door won't latch but I think it may sometimes stick part way in and latch but not open from the inside; at least my wife couldn't open it from the inside after her first ride, even pulling the inside handle twice. I had to open it from the outside.

BTW, I had the car for a week before I realized the windows go down 1/2 inch when you pull the trigger on the handle and go back up when you close the door.

BTW 2, I used to vacation in the UP and spent two weeks up there one winter and experienced a three-day-blow of powder. You're going to need tracks on your Mini or a snow mobile when the going gets white.

 

They can have sticky handle or lock. Check this thread out for more info. Spray a little grease in the lock and on the pivot point inside the door handle.


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

 

I had similar issues with my 03 when I first got it, I ended up installing a new door lock actuator, but I had more to go on that a door that didn't open in the winter, the window stopped dipping occasionally, and then the door gave me issues in the winter.

If the outer handle springs back to its resting position when you let go of it, I'd lean towards needing a door lock actuator.

 

I just fixed this issue recently. Does the handle on the outside operate normally? Is it only the inside handle that has the issue with not opening the door? If you answered yes to both of those you need to check your bowden cable in the door. This cable extends from the inner door handle to the door actuator. Mine came unplugged as I was jumping in the car during a push start. There are replacement cables available if its just not unplugged. Follow the how to of your choice as its pretty straightforward. It's the same process for either side of the car.