ANGRY! - Driver side door won't open

[SwissArmy]

As title states, I am fuming.

For the past 3 days, I could not get in or out of my driver's side door. I had to either put the roof down and climb over (Dukes of Hazzard style) or go through the passenger side.

The little door lock thing goes up and down when I lock/unlock but the handles (both interior and exterior) refuse to open the door. The passenger side works flawlessly *knock on wood*

I did not change anything or do anything to the door panels. I am extremely frustrated. I wonder how much THIS repair is going to run me. SIGH!

[Nate4641]

some linkage probably fell off inside the door. Something could have broken too. From what I have seen inside some cars the linkage isn't always very strong looking. See if you can find an indie shop to check it out for you.

[BU Z4]

Easiest thing is to remove the door panel and look whats going on inside the door.

[ZStig]

Also, reset your battery

[Finnegan]

There was a rebuild thread by Shipkiller that had a whole section on door hardware. I cannot find the thread. It would be useful here.

[SwissArmy]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I've reset the battery and nada. I tried removing the door panel but its a PITA to take off the panel when the door is closed. All clips have been removed. I guess I need to take off the driver side vent.

By pulling the panel towards me and looking inside, all the mechanisms are working, even the cable. I compared all the moving parts to the passenger side door (yeah, I removed this panel for comparison). It all looks and works and sounds the same as the passenger side but it just refuses to unhook from its latch.

I'm going to give it one final try tonight by taking out the vent on the driver's side. If nothing, I will take it to an indie shop and have them take a look at it. Right now I am driving around with the panel half on. Looks ridiculous. Coupled with me jumping in and out through my roof. At least I save money on labour as the panel is already 99% out lol

Thanks again guys!

[elerner61]

Here's one additional thought: try and push in on the door from the outside when you are working the door lever. Or perhaps trying to lift up on the door. Maybe even a gentle but forceful "rap" on the outside or inside of the door.

Without having the door open, I don't know how you're going to get the inside of the door off without trashing it.

Maybe take it to a body shop instead/as well. They may have some ideas.

Good luck. I've never heard of this happening on any car.

[jcutrell]

I'm sure you've already done this but, just to make sure, you did try the key in the door (not just the remote)?

[SwissArmy]

Originally Posted by elerner61

Here's one additional thought: try and push in on the door from the outside when you are working the door lever. Or perhaps trying to lift up on the door. Maybe even a gentle but forceful "rap" on the outside or inside of the door.

Without having the door open, I don't know how you're going to get the inside of the door off without trashing it.

Maybe take it to a body shop instead/as well. They may have some ideas.

Good luck. I've never heard of this happening on any car.

Thanks elerner61 I've tried pushing on the door. Pulling on the door. Have not tried lifting the door up will try now. I already got the inside panel off without having the door to be open. I just needed to take off the driver's side air vent.

Originally Posted by jcutrell

I'm sure you've already done this but, just to make sure, you did try the key in the door (not just the remote)?

Yep. Already tried that. That's how I open my roof to climb into the car every morning :P Thanks for the suggestion though jcutrell

[Pheonix]

Man, that is crazy and could be a safety issue! Anyhow, maybe you could take the passenger side apart to see how the locking mechanism works and troubleshoot the driver side.

[SwissArmy]

Originally Posted by Pheonix

Man, that is crazy and could be a safety issue! Anyhow, maybe you could take the passenger side apart to see how the locking mechanism works and troubleshoot the driver side.

Yup. As stated in my OP, I did take off the passenger side for comparison. Looks the exact same. Made an appointment with my mechanic/body shop (the guys who did my Magnaflow exhaust) for Saturday morning. Until then, I can only try using brute force and locking/unlocking numerous times.

I heard this issue occurs in e85's when you double tap the unlock button on the key fob too fast too often. Which I find very lame if true.

Until then, I will be spotted jumping in and out of my z4...Dukes of Hazzard style.

[SwissArmy]

UPDATE: No luck in forcing the door open. It's latch is in the lock position when I peer down the tiny opening near the top of the door frame. Or, at least I think it's the latch.

Taking it to my body shop this Saturday, coupled with getting rid of those dreaded license plate holes that I had to live with for 2 weeks. *first world problems indeed*

[3point0]

let us know how it goes, will be interesting for sure

[SwissArmy]

Originally Posted by 3point0

let us know how it goes, will be interesting for sure

Will do. It's still frustrating getting in and out of my car. Especially at gas stations where I have to put on a whole show.

And in the mornings before I leave for work (around 6am) I have to do stretches and jumping jacks prior to jumping into the zed.

I hope to get this sorted in two days.

[elerner61]

So?

[G80indy]

That is a bummer and we are all hoping it works out! Keep us posted

[Blind32]

Haven't heard from him in a while. Maybe the passenger door broke as well and he is stuck in his car. Assemble the search party!

[elerner61]

Newsflash "Lawyer stuck in car gets ill from eating leather interior. Lawsuit launched against BMW for faulty door mech. and...bad taste in car interior"

[SwissArmy]

LOL hey guys. Sorry about not updating this thread on time.

My body shop guys got the door open. Nothing was broken. It was just a cable that was getting jammed when the window rolls down. They tied the cable away from the window. Et voila!

[Blind32]

Glad you made it out alive!

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by djoutcry

LOL hey guys. Sorry about not updating this thread on time.

My body shop guys got the door open. Nothing was broken. It was just a cable that was getting jammed when the window rolls down. They tied the cable away from the window. Et voila!

Damn, and I thought the fix was going to be painting it Orange, putting the number 01 on the side, and adding a horn that played Dixie since you got the Dukes of Hazzard entry kind of down.

All joking aside, I'm glad it was an easy fix, and thank you for taking the time to update the thread with the cause and fix. That will come in very useful for others!

[Danlor]

Exact thing just happen to me and my 03 Z4. Left the windows down in the garage overnight, came back and couldnt open the door. Rolled up the windows after reading this thread and viola, the door opened.

Thanks for letting us know, saved me a lot of pain!