I've had bruce leeroy for just over a year now...

1. after the first three months driver side door would not unlock from the interior door latch. when i did unlock it from the toggle switch i had to pull the latch and give the door a little pop/shove for it to open.
-took it to the dealer and it was fixed. they didn't give me an explanation.

2. 2 weeks later it happened again. same side (driver's door)
-dealer fixed.

3. about 2 months ago the passenger side stopped working. this time it didn't unlock nor did it open. my passenger's had to roll down the window and open it from the outside handle.
-took it in, fixed.

4. a week later it happened again.
-dealer fixed.

5. it's been three weeks, now it's not working again... and to top it off, my side is doing the same thing it did when i first got it.
i can't get out and my passenger's can't get out... im tired of going to the dealer for this fix...

does anyone know how to remove the inside door panels so i can do this myself? thanks for the help!

-glen

 

Same problem just started on my passenger door. Handel won't unlock the door but the toggle will. We need a fix!

 

An '05 still has loads of warranty, unless you've broken 50K miles. Don't try fixing it yourself, just get the dealership to sort it!

This is not a common issue ...

 

I went through the same thing 3 times! Finally, the dealer determined the cable was 1/4" too long and replaced it & epoxied it to the door. This was just 3 days ago. Mine is a /05 cabrio & appears to be a common problem with ?05s.

 

i think i'll take it in for this problem one last time... watch them disassemble the door... and see if they can do something about solving this issue instead of putting the linkage back together as they've been doing.

thanks for the input!

-glen

 

This happened to me once on the passenger side a nd 3 time on the drivers side, the 3rd time I got all new door internals.


But now I won't get out of my MINI because it's so fun to drive.

 

The Mini just wants you to keep having fun

 

glnr13, have you considered taking your MINI to a different dealership for service? Sounds like you need a fresh look at a recurring issue. Good luck!

 

+1...if the dealer isn't far away make them fix it each time if you have the patience.

 

fwiw, i have this problem on my passenger side door too. I havent taken it in yet. I will try to get an explanation from my service department when i do though.

 

I found out this weekend that you can lock someone inside the car. I got out of the car, and used the key in the door to lock the car. My girlfriend was still inside the car and neither the toggle or the either of the doors would unlock the door so she could get out. I dunno if it's supposed to be like that, because both doors unlock fine from the inside on any other occasion. Sounds like a safety issue.

 

It's supposed to be like that so that if someone smashes a window, they still can't open the doors.
However, I think this feature was removed on newer MINIs - what is your build date? You might find that there's a dealership tech bulletin to allow your car to be modified to remove the "deadlock" feature if you don't like it.

 

My passenger door lock stuck this last week. I was giving a coworker a ride to lunch, and when we got back, he couldn't get out. I had to open the door from the outside, and even then it was reluctant to open. It was rather embarrasing. I didn't realize this happened to other people though.

 

I'm having the same trouble with my driver's side door handle. I just purchased an '03 MCS, and when I park the car and pull the handle it wont do anything (handle feels disconnected). If push the "unlock" button beside the window switch I can get out. I checked through the previous owners reciepts from the dealership, and she had taken it in at least 5 times, between two different dealerships.

I haven't pulled the door panel yet, I was hoping to hear what the official fix was before I waste a bunch of time figuring it out myself.

Thanks
Josh

 

Josh, do a search for "door cable". I just read about this issue recently but can't remember which thread. Apparently it is a common problem and a not-too-complicated fix.

Dave

 

i have a problem of the actual door handle not working, even unlocked. usually only happens when raining, you have to give it a couple quick, hard jerks to get it open

 

just keep the window rolled down and Dukes of Hazard it in and out of the car

 

I don't really have anything usefull to say, just wanted to say, LOVE the name, Bruce Leeroy haha love that movie

 

I love that movie too... that's why i named my car that.
He (my car) is black and he know's kung fu.
he's extra black these days...

 

Mine seems worse in the rain as well. Its definately the same thing. I have to press the unlock button up and down, then give the handle a couple quick pulls like you said.
I went back and read the dealership reciepts from the previous owner, and they mentioned something about the cable being fixed, but it was extremely vague.

ProfessorDave, thanks for the info, I'll search for the cable fix.

Jtrem, Dukes of Hazard isn't really my style, I'd have to put a Rebel flag on the roof instead of the Union-Jack (Stars n' Bars baby!). I guess living in GA you can get away with that sort of thing. At least I would be invited to join the F-body association... LOL

Thanks all for the advice!
Josh F.

 

Sho'nuff do like the euro plate as well as the name!

 

What about a BCU problem? It controls everything in the car and if it happens in the rain, than it could be getting slightly yet.

 

I was thinking of the sunroof, same thing...