here's a pic of my 04's door insides....just not sure if thats what its supposed to look like

 

Wow! On June 09 I put up this post. I wait 9 months to order the part, and then let it sit on a shelf in my garage for 2 years (!) before I get tired of unlocking the driver's door with my key and change it (what a PITA, BTW).

Anyway, just to close the loop (should it be of help to anyone), it was the driver's side door lock actuator/latch, part #51.21.4.433.804 (or 51.20.0.556.768). Changed it tonight and my power locks work normally again.

 

Driver's side - 127K Miles. Is it easy to get to the plastic cable piece to reattach it?

 

Drivers side, 50K miles.
Replaced the cable, worked till I put it back together. Now does not work. Will have to open it back up.

 

Something slipped out of place.

 

found this, im going to give it a try. hope everyone benefits from it as well
http://www.instructables.com/id/Repa...or-L/?ALLSTEPS

 

just gutted mine and cleaned the motors, worked like a charm!

 

Happened to me as well man. I pulled the door panel off and placed the anchor back in its original place.. Nothing broke, it just came out of place.. Strange isn't it?

 

Ok guys, from reading this thread its safe to say that door lock issues are common in these cars..

The door lock actuator and window regulator on my passenger door both went awhile ago. I din't bother getting into it because I knew that replacing both at once was going to cost me an arm and a leg. Also, my window regulator would work sometimes, it wasn't permanetelly "broken", same with the door actuator. I could never unlock the car using the cabin controls nor the key, but then again I can lock the door using the key.

What I did--- So I decided to pull the door panel off and take the car into one of those drive through car washes, I wasn't too surprised to find water dripping inside the door... Chances are that moisture is creating resistance both on the actuator and regulator..

What the is causing the problem---

Well, at least on my car I'm blaming it all on the window seal.. I'll replace it and let you guys know if water still leaks inside...


2004 R53

 

2004 Mini Cooper S driver side door.

 

2002 MCS April 02 build, drivers side, 80k miles, will lock but not unlock.

 

Both of the cables on the driver's side door latch are off. I can fix this if I could get the door open but I can't remove the panel without opening the door and I can't open the door till I fix the cables. How can I get the door open or remove the panel if the door is closed?

 

2010 with15,000 miles. Passenger side.

 

This happened to me on the passenger side. I think I somehow was able to remove the panel with the door closed by sliding the seat to certain locations. It still ended up damaging one of the clips that holds the panel on. You can also remove the seat to make more room if necessary - it's only 4 torx bolts (I think T-40s). If you do remove the seat, disconnect the battery before disconnecting the airbag connector.

 

Driver's side will not work with the key fob or the panel "unlock". I can lock it from the inside by pushing it down and unlock it with 2 actuations of the handle. It will lock from the outside using the key in the slot, both unlock and lock. The dealer quoted me $400.00 without even looking at it. There must be a lot of similar problems. I can Open/Close it many times for $400.00.

 

Another dead lock actuator. You can get a new one for a little over $100 from Classic MINI and put it in yourself!

There's also a how-to on fixing a broken actuator, but it's pretty time intensive and there are a lot of small pieces to keep track of.

 

My passenger side went out about 3 years ago, at about 30k.

Pulled off the panel, put tension on cable (could still hear actuator TRYING to work)... And with tension on the cable it worked fine. So I routed the cable around a part in the door it's not normally routed around, and it has worked ever since... Just by adding a bit of tension to the line.

 

. Dealer will replace door latch under warranty. Windshield washer hose needs to be replaced also, keeps on popping off at the nozzle. Amazing for a car only two years old.

 

So I'm still not understanding how the remote can "lock" the passenger side window, but can not unlock it. When I press the unlock button, I hear something click on the passenger side door, but nothing unlocks.

what do i need to replace?

04, 99k miles.

 

'02 MCS passenger side....114,500 miles.

 

'04 MCS 84K, driver's side

 

Hey Winston, Did your '03 have AutoLock and if so, does it still work or has it bit the dust too? I have the same problem as you described AND my AutoLock no longer works.

 

Great video, thanks!

 

I safety wired my original cable 2 years ago and still working fine. My cable lock also kept popping off. Stainless steel wire loop will keep it for a 5 to 7 years.
I have a 01 bmw X5 that had the same issue in 05, it lasted till 11. The plastic finally disintegrated.

 

Passenger side on 04 Cooper S will not unlock with inside toggle but does unlock with a pull of the door handle, autolock and locking with the key both work...does it sound like it's just the cable?