Ok. It's an 03 mcs w/ 98K miles. it's bound to have troubles. So here goes...

Driver side door unlocks from the inside door handle, toggle and key, so that all works fine. but when I pull on the door handle a second time it won't let me out. so I roll down the window and try from the outside and nothing. Awesome...now I've got to get in and out of the passenger side...SWEEEEEET. I've actaully had problems with this door before from the dealer a few years back, actuator, window and bad door panel replacement.

...my guess is bowden cable. Anyone had theirs replaced at the dealer and paid for it? I've got one car, no garage, snow on the ground, and it gets dark at 3:30pm. So the chances of me getting it fixed w/o a dealer at this point is nil.

 

maybe if you can atually get the door to open try lubing the latch that is visible, it might be frozen or just gummed upwith grime. Got AAA? Call them and tell them you cant get in, see if they can jimmy the door open, might also give you an idea of where the problem is. Just thinking out loud.... Beecher

 

Have you been driving in snow? The outside door handles on 02-03s could get snow packed in them. Then the latch can not cycle all the way, and you can't open the door. Pull the outside lever, the black part, and if there is snow/ice packed in there either pick it out with a very small screwdriver, or spray lock deicer to clean it out. The best fix is to get 04 door handles installed ( not sure what the cost is ) or just keep the handles clear of snow/ice.

If this is not the problem, then it could be a broken cable.

Mark

 

I think a bunch of bowden cables have been replaced on 03s, (I have had to re-seat mine once) but I seem to remember them being surprisingly inexpensive as MINI parts go. It seems like they were under $20, but my memory is not so good these days.

And I cannot remember the exact setup of the internal door handle, but isn't the bowden cable the one that runs from the internal door handle to the door lock/door open mechanism? If it is, then you should not be able to unlock the door by pulling the internal door handle. There is a TSB somewhere with a diagram of the parts inside the door but I cannot find it.

 

Thanks to all.