HELP.......DOOR WONT OPEN

[the shreksta]

hey guys

I opened my drivers door this morning when it was -3 and had to give it a gentle tug to open it,I climbed inside and went to shut the door but it wouldn't shut so I messed around with the lock and latch and a few gentle slams managed to shut it and guess what......now it won't open. The handle moves freely.

I don't know if it opens from the inside as I was late for work so had to leave it.

Any ideas?

[IanP]

You might find that the lock mechanism is sticky where the lever from the outside handle attaches and is not returning. If you can open from the inside then get the door card off and get some light oil on it. If it does not open from the inside, you will need the welding rod trick to get in ............
I also found on mine that the operating rod had come loose from the actuator (probably because my son has the subtle touch of an elephant) which gave the same problem

[Colin]

Hi , when its frosty my drivers door won't open either , something in the handle mechanism must freeze  i use the passenger door and reach across to open drivers door , always forget to get a look at it then it freezes

[the shreksta]

thanks for the replies guys, i have returned from work and it has started working again........wtf?

[X5Sport]

A squirt of graphite lubricant - it doesn't freeze - might help.  Sounds like water in the mechanism iced up and that stopped things

[the shreksta]

[quote="X5Sport"]
A squirt of graphite lubricant - it doesn't freeze - might help.  Sounds like water in the mechanism iced up and that stopped things
[/quote]

spray it where the oval rubber grommet is i take it?

so glad its fixed itself..................until the next frosty morning  >:(

[X5Sport]

Anywhere you can get a thin pipe from the aerosol into.  Similar products are used my motorcyclists for chain lube as it is less messy than chain oil.

[the shreksta]

[quote="X5Sport"]
Anywhere you can get a thin pipe from the aerosol into.  Similar products are used my motorcyclists for chain lube as it is less messy than chain oil.
[/quote]

will give it a go

one question i have though is how could the handle move in the normal way without anything happening? surely if it was froze it would not move.

[X5Sport]

I think it is the actual mechanism behind the handle, but not certain as I have not (yet) had one apart.  Those who have will explain better than I can.

[Colin]

- 6 tonight in south England  so cover up those door handle's

[the shreksta]

[quote="Colin"]
- 6 tonight in south England  so cover up those door handle's
[/quote]

dont have a garage buddy so will have to chance it.

[Colin]

-4 at yours tonight , pour warm water around handle in the morning before unlocking....... i know water is maybe the cause of the problem  but no worse than rain and unto you get the door card off and get it sorted for good , at least you'll not be late for work again  lol

[themoog]

Inside the door below the lock button is the problem about 10" down. There is a pivot that gets water on it and freezes. It also  sticks when it gets rusty. I've had both internal and external handles not work, then its a very clever procedure to open the door.

[Steamyrotter]

Whilst you are at it, spray some silicon spray around the door rubbers as they have been known to stick to the doors when cold..

Had same issue with my E39..
But once got the door open, it wouldn't latch shut..
Had to tie the door to the seat to stop it flapping about until i could get in there to free up the latch!!