Trouble Opening Door... - BMW Forum

DetroitFolly · 05-26-2005, 10:06 AM

Folks...I have a '99 323is. Recently, I unlock the driver's side door, but it won't open. I can still open it by going in the passenger side, and pulling the inside handle.

The strange thing is, the problem is intermittent. 8 times out of ten, it opens properly, but every once in a while, it won't open...the lock goes up when I hit the key fob, but the door feels like its still locked.

Any ideas? Is it simply an issue with a cable inside the door? Maybe some lubrication?

BMW-ATI · 05-26-2005, 12:31 PM

My passenger door does that , but usually you just have to pull really hard

bmw door handles suck LOL

dblmikeusa1 · 05-26-2005, 04:57 PM

When I have been inside of my doors, I noticed that what holds the levers on the handle is a small plastic clip. If the plastics are like any other BMW plastic, they will break with age. I say start there.

Cruzin 323is · 05-26-2005, 05:20 PM

thats happened to me... get some wd-40 or some kind of lube, and spray the hinges... should go away

cymorg · 05-26-2005, 11:21 PM

the plastic piece that holds the inner door handle onto my driver side door is broken also... it still works but its kinda tricky to get it to catch.

i doubt that would be the issue in your case since yours works from the inside but not the outside. i'd still check it out though. it might be something similar (????)

JBL · 02-14-2006, 04:40 AM

I have the same problem on my '99 328ci. I was told yesterday that I need a new actuator at a cost of £394 + vat. Even though this has been an ongoing problem since I bought the car as an approved used car from a dealer in '02 and it has been serviced by them and they have been aware of the problem, BMW have refused to make a goodwill gesture.