Hi All - I have seen lots of information around 'a' door no longer opening from the inside, but I have not seen anything about both the driver and passenger door no longer working from the inside or outside on our 2003 MCS (and it happening all at once). The locking mechanism works but the doors just will not open. I had to go Dukes of Hazard style to get out of the car last night. I see this as a serious safety issue and I will not allow the car to leave the driveway (other than a tow to the garage) unless I can get it addressed. Any help at all would be appreciated!

 

Do the locking buttons pop up when you go to unlock with the key, the toggle switch or the inside handle? I've replaced a door actuator in each of our two cars, so if memory serves there's 4 cables in there- one each from the outside handle and one each from the inside pull. The inside pull one is longer and seems to detach itself easier based on what I've read, but it would be a real coincidence if all four cables detached themselves at once. My guess is you've got a central locking issue holding the doors locked.

Try this- roll down the windows (they probably are down already) and disconnect the battery- either post. Now try to unlock the drivers side door with the key and then open it with the outside handle. With power killed to the actuators the doors may open. Not a long term solution but more of a diagnostic one. If this works I'd say it's a central locking issue but not a problem with the actuators themselves.

Val

 

Yeah the locking buttons pop up and down with the actual switch and up with I pull the handle when they are in the down position. I have not tried with the key from the outside.

I do agree that this would be a heck of a coincidence for all 4 cables to fail at once and also agree that it is likely a central issue.

I will try disconnecting the battery as well to see how a manual unlock / open works out.

Thanks!

 

Quick question.

How cold is it? I had this issue happen to me a few years back and my problem was caused by snow melting between the door and frame and then freezing rock solid. The locks and door ahndles would work, but the doors would not open.

The problem had gone away by the next morning after having parked the car in my garage that was warmish and allowed the ice to melt.

 

First time posting on the site.
The switch on the console will not unlock doors but will unlock back hatch. Key fob will lock all doors and gas cap but will only UNLOCK gas cap and back hatch. Can't figure out why switch will make a clicking sound but won't unlock doors.
Second, don't know why key fob will lock but not unlock doors. Can't find a relay any where in or around the car. Sounds like the clicking sound is coming from the passenger side when I activate the switch.

 

Is there anyone that can help! Am I missing the location of a door lock relay?
Does anyone use this sight any more!?

 

+1

 

disconnect the battery. unlock driver door with key. reconnect battery. see if that helps. if u have a spare key, try that too.

 

I will try that this evening and let you know the outcome!
Thanks

 

Thanks for the advice. That didn't help. I did find that the clicking noise is coming from the body control unit located behind the right kick panel on passenger side. I'm hoping it's not the BCU as these are very expensive.
Any other suggestions?

 

that's unfortunate. i really thought that would help. that's about the extent of my knowledge. hopefully somebody else can shed light.

theres always the option of removing the door panels and taking a look at things, but i cant say for sure that would get you anywhere either.

hope it works out.

 

This I the method I used:
Opened the back hatch and disconnected the battery. Went to drivers door and turned the key to unlock it.
Reconnected the battery and nothing but the same.
Were these the proper steps or perhaps I missed something?

 

Hello,

My experience with the doors not unlocking from inside or outside is the following:
I have discovered on my 2004 MCS I have the old door handles, the black plastic will freeze inside the chrome handle. Some days I open the window and firmly tap on the chrome handle with my hand. I have had 100 % success with this method. Every time I get into the car I give the door handle a couple of firm taps to make sure it is all the way out. When the temp is above freezing no problems. Planning to replace both handles, mini has an updated handle which I am told corrected this problem, frustrating part for me when the car was new I asked for the reengineered door handles from my dealer they said no not required because my car was not experiencing this problem. My car lived inside for its first 8 years so that is why it did not have the problem.
The other thing I often do is spray silicon on the door rubbers, keeps the rubber from freezing to body, this has also made a difference.
I have been locked in an and locked out so many times I want to take a sledge hammer to this car and beat it.... but I love to drive it. Kinda like a marriage somedays
LOL, hope that helps
Phil