Mini '04 Door Lock Problem

[minifll]

My '04 Mini non-S has 110,000 miles. From about 95,000 miles on, the driver side had this problem- it required toggling the central lock up to open the lock. That is to say, doing the "double pull" to open the driver's side door didn't work. If I pulled on the handle maybe 10 times, it might get "lucky" and catch, and then open. I never got into this habit, though, but instead just quickly got used to manually unlocking the door. Note that the passenger side double-pull method works fine.

Now, I can hear the door lock motor doing it's thing, but it's no longer pushing the button up - and so I'm stuck inside when I want to get out! I have to pull on the door handle 10+ times to get it to unlock, then pull one more time to actually open the door. Same thing on the outside - pushing the fob opens the passenger door and hatch (on the 2nd push of the button) but the driver side door lock button won't go up (on the 1st or 2nd push of the button). So I have to open the passenger side and get in some how. As for locking, the driver's side door button does drop to lock. It's only the unlock, or up direction, that doesn't work.

I put my ear close to the driver's side door, and I can hear the motor working. So I think this is entirely a mechanical problem. I think the problem has been around since 95,000 miles, but the door continued to function fine using the central lock switch to unlock all the doors. It's only now that this mechanical issue now affects it even more so that the "up" motion doesn't work. I reckon something needs to be reconnected or repositioned or something. Any ideas?

Thanks!
David

[kingjayson1]

I have had the exact same problem since the beginning of the week, but my drivers inside handle doesn't catch at all now! Have you managed to fix it?

[vopux]

its possible that the rods/cables connecting the door handle to the lock have come adrift slightly causing no operation ut then may catch to open the door. youll do best dropping the door trim off and making sure the cables havent come off!!

[kingjayson1]

Quote: Originally Posted by vopux (original)

its possible that the rods/cables connecting the door handle to the lock have come adrift slightly causing no operation ut then may catch to open the door. youll do best dropping the door trim off and making sure the cables havent come off!!

Thanks for your reply. I dropped the door trim off today and the bowden cable has snapped, I've taken it off and ordered one from the main dealers but reading some posts on here apparently its impossible to reconnect it on the latch module end? Hours of fun await me

[cokey]

Quote: Originally Posted by kingjayson1 (original)

Thanks for your reply. I dropped the door trim off today and the bowden cable has snapped, I've taken it off and ordered one from the main dealers but reading some posts on here apparently its impossible to reconnect it on the latch module end? Hours of fun await me

Yeah, it's near on impossible to reattach the cable to the latch module, with the module in place. You will have to take the latch module out. I know this from past experience.

There are 3 torx screws holding the module to the door. You will need to unclip the other cable (for the exterior door handle) from the module. Then you will need to wriggle the module past the window regulator - it's very tight but will get through. You might also need to unclip the wiring harness (can't remember if there is enough slack on it). You will defiinitely have to have the tweeter/door handle fixture unclipped from the door, to be able to feed enough cable through to the latch. The hook for the cable on the latch is behind a plastic flip cover - this has to be undone.

For detailed instructions on all this, you can see my post here: http://www.mini2.com/forum/first-gen...ml#post3754435

Good luck - it's not a difficult task, just fiddly!