Started my car this morning drive to work, went to get out and the drivers side door wouldn't open from out side or in. Unlocked fine, feels like the door handle isnt unlatching.
Anyone?

 

Here is a digram with pics:

Does sound like the lock is stuck itself for both the inside and outside not to work. So the lock pin moves up and down, but the handles inside and out dont work?

You have to pull the door card off and get into the door jam to look at the lock.

Here is the door diagram for the Gen 1 MINI R50 R52 R53.




#1 in the diagram

Door Lock Unit - Left ( Driver Side )


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51200556768/





&



Door Lock Unit - Right ( Passenger Side )


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51200556769/





Also.

On the inside handle there is a cable , check the cable connection first.

Here is # 10 in the diagram that is the cable. Set between the lock and handle.


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51217143538/




Then on the outside Handle:

In the picture item #1 is the handle which has a connection cable to it. which links down to the lock.



Door Handle Chrome - Right ( passenger side )

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51217198472/



&

Door Handle Chrome - Left ( Driver )

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/51217198471/ES90104/




Thanks and let me know what you find. I don't think both cables are broken , I guess it could happen.

 

And it's frozen shut again. Been unable to open for two days now. Need some advice please.

 

Can you feel any tension on the door handle when you push the grip in? Also on the inside handle can you feel tension ?

Get some spray lubricant , the one with the tiny straw on the end, and spray the handle itself, you might have ice in the handle on the outside and if you can reach the lock unit through the door jam gap. Otherwise you will have to try to get the door card off with the door shut and its a job to do.

Thanks and let me know. Its very cold outside and I want to make sure its not an ice probelm.

 

I believe it's an ice problem because it went away when it warmed up and has returned with the cold. It feels like it is still locked, doesn't feel like it's trying to pull anything. On the inside it has tension the first pull when it unlocks then it feels like the outside handle. Thanks for the response.

 

You are welcome, I know the lock deicer stuff works, but don't know if you can get that in a straw other then WD 40 or similar. See if you can hit that lock in the door and other locations.

 

Now neither door opens. I haven't an idea what to do now.

 

oh no. Did you get to spray those areas? Does the locks on both still lock / unlock. Also can you open the trunk and get inside and push the door out while pulling the inside latch ? I guess both locks could have ice or the locks booth seized due to the cold.

 

They both do.both unlock as well

 

Did you get to spray those areas?

 

This is pretty ridiculous. I'm in the same situation and I think its not the cable because when I try to open it from the inside the lock comes up. I guess ill try some WD 40 all around to see if it helps...

 

This makes me never want to buy a mini again. $9k paper weight
It's definitely icing issues

 

Pre-2005 cars had a different door handle...( my early 2005, but 2004 production car was delivered with the older handles...then retrofitted a couple of months later for free).
They froze so often due to water, that many olds cars were switched to the newer handles for free...the part you squeeze is shaped different...
Have you tried getting you car someplace warm....checking to be sure it not ice related?
Might be a ice issue rather than a true mechanical issue.....

 

Zippy, was just going to mention that. Sometimes spraying lubricant on the door handle at the little space between the handle and the internal push in part (squeeze part ).



Here is that link to the old PDF file for the TSB.

Which the parts above in the post , linked , are the newest design.

Thanks

 

Going to try to get it warm when I leave work and buy slot of de icer. Not sure what my production date is.

 

When you get the door open...drivers side...the sticker that has the Vin and tire psi info has a production date.
On a 2005+ car, and in reality, any 2003+ car that was brought to ANY reputable dealer in the warrenty period, this change SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE....no cost, no request Needed... Just done...then you notified that it was done (like it was for mine) to bring you car up to 2005 build standard, and to prevent future issues...
The same goes for the PS fan wiring...

 

They both just opened. I'm confused, the driver side hasn't opened in 3 days and now they open no problem. I'm afraid to get stuck in my car somewhere.

 

I know what you mean. If you have a chance, try grabbing a rag and wiping off any excess water or condensation from anywhere the door touches the car maybe? Prevent icing.


I'll go check mine in a bit to see if it opens randomly as well. :(

 

My production date is 04/05

 

If you look at the PDF ( or even the new part in the ecs picture) you can determine WHICH handles you have....with mini, they tended to use up older revision parts before switching to the new ones...So visiual confirmation is paramount....that And lube it up. A stretched Bowden cable CAN be intermittent too...folks who are not aware of how the mini doors work sometimes pull too hard to open them...not Realizing one pull unlocks...and the second pull opens...so they pull far too hard the first time..stretching the cable.

 

Might replace my cables, have to try something as this problem isn't going away.

 

I'll add my experience here, maybe it will help someone, and maybe someone can help me.
I have an '06, so the newer handles. I've only had the car for 5 months and it came from Southern California so it doesn't have a frozen history (I'm in Minneapolis).
I've found that when it is cold, the black rubbery part (the part you squeeze) goes into the chrome handle, but doesn't come all the way out. And it is very hard to squeeze--it gets harder as the temperature drops. The door opens fine, but the black part doesn't come all the way out. The door also closes fine, and you can open it from the inside too. UNLESS the automatic lock are triggered. Then I am stuck and can't get out. I have figured out that I have to make sure to pry the black part out before I close the door in order to not get stuck (again) Since I have the new style latches at least it is easier.
I've taken the door apart and taken the latch off and sprayed the cable with lube, and worked the latch until it seemed good. But this was in a warm(ish) shop and as soon as it got outside and below freezing, the problem returned. I didn't do anything with the latch/lock mechanism itself. Is it possible that there is a problem inside it?
Thanks

 

My friend has had his mini for about 6 years now and his does the same, he believes the cables that open the door latch don't work well in the cold. My handle works fine just feels like the door isn't unlocking. If I keep pulling the handle from the outside, it will eventually open. But many times I can't even get out of the car. Being locked in my car is a problem mini should address somehow.

 

I wish there was a way to know whether it is the cable or not. In mine it is the short cable to the exterior handle, as the interior one always works. I guess maybe I answered my own question there, didn't I. If the interior latch always works, it's not the latch. It has to be the exterior handle or cable. I will probably take another stab at it, but not sure if I'll get there before Christmas. In any case, I'll let you know what I find out.

 

Do they use separate cables? I'm considering swapping out new cables invade my current cables are stretched out.