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Passenger Door won't open from outside

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#22 ·
Yes it sounds like you need a new actuator. You can find them on ebay fairly easily or from a breakers.

Beware, now that you have got very familiar with the fitting of the nylon piece into the metal lever......the new actuator may NOT come with this bit so you will have to transfer it over before fitting.

Also, it isn't very easy in my experience to fit the bowden cable for the external handle until the actuator is bolted back into the door........however, you have now had plenty of experience of doing this already!
 
#23 ·
I replaced both of mine a few years ago. I found the most difficult task to be attaching the
inside handle's cable to the actuator. One trick that helped was to wedge something into the
outside handle first to squeeze the lever and put the attachment point at a more favorable position.
Another alternative would be to put that one in before bolting the actuator back into the door.
Also, don't forget to slide the window assembly toward the outside of the door (by first loosening
the bolt at the bottom of the door) so there's actually room to get the actuator out and back in.
(don't forget to slide it back again afterwards!!).
 
Discussion starter · #24 ·
cristo said:
So pulling up on the rod when locked doesn't unlock it?
Sounds like you may need a new actuator, then, unless I've misunderstood.
Click to expand...
It works normally (when the door doesn't work from the outside) but as soon as I fixed it my door so the outside worked then it wouldn't.

Does the actuator drop the window? Not sure what it does tbh
I do have plenty of experience now.

I popped into the garage where by car is booked in and explained the door. He said as long as it works for the MOT it will be ok. But I would really like to fix it. The mechanic said it might be the catch
 
#25 ·
The actuator does several things, some mechanical and some electric. The mechanical bits are the opening of the door catch by either the external handle or the internal handle (both operated by bowden cables) and also the door button connected by rod from its location in the top of the door which sets the door lock.

The electric bit is about operating the lock via the central locking control which is locked/unlocked by the cable plugged into the actuator.

The actuator plays no role in lowering or raising the window glass.

Usually it is the electrical bit of the actuator that fails so that it doesn't work on the central locking remote control in the ignition key or the master lock/unlock switch in the centre console.

My last one failed electrically but still worked mechanically and I only changed it when my wife got fed up standing alongside the car (in the rain!) whilst I got in and opened the door using the internal handle!.

When changing the actuator, you need to fit the bowden cable for the interior door handle and the door button rod before inserting the new actuator back into the door.......if I remember correctly, you cannot connect the exterior handle bowden cable without the actuator being back in the door as the cable isn't long enough to attach it. But you have plenty of experience dealing with this now!
 
Discussion starter · #26 ·
Excellent thanks. Car didn't pass the MOT the suspension bush had gone front N/S (I thought it was the CV joint) so he's fixing that for me now. Not to bad. I'll order an actuator then and change it next weekend hopefully.


How do I check what model my car is it's 04
 
Discussion starter · #30 ·
Update on my door.

Well I change the actuator. Didn't take long about 45 mins and went quite smoothly


Problem with the door is exactly the same!! Can't believe it! The only thing I can think it is now is the actual handle/bowden cable. Or do you guys have any other suggestions?
 
#31 ·
miss_corerupted said:
Problem with the door is exactly the same!! Can't believe it! The only thing I can think it is now is the actual handle/bowden cable. Or do you guys have any other suggestions?
Click to expand...
If there's nothing physically broken on the handle and the cable is correctly installed, the cable is the only thing left surely?!?! What an *** pain!
 
#33 ·
Sorry to hear that.
Are you having trouble with the inside handle, the outside handle, or both?
(2 different cables -- one from inner handle to actuator, and one integral
with the door handle, either pretty cheap).
 
#34 ·
Make sure the bowden cable is sitting correct in its sleeve. It took me 3 attempts to correctly fit it in my acuator the very first time I done mine and I foolishly built the frigging door back up before discovering it lol
 
Discussion starter · #35 ·
It's just the outside handle that's not working. It whas defiantly (disconnected at the mo so at least the car will work from the inside) in the sleeve correctly. I done it at least 15 times and then OH was out there for another 45 mins trying everything I had
 
#36 ·
If you get someone to operate the door handle whilst you look inside the door (with the panel off of course!) does the bowden cable appear to be operating and moving the lever on the actuator? I don't actually know if you will be able to see this, as I have never tried it, but I'm guessing that you ought to be able to check if the cable is moving as the handle is squeezed.

I don't know how the bowden cable is attached to the door handle, or if it is replaceable. I guess if all else fails you could take the handle off and check it/change it.

By the way, is the new actuator operating okay with both the central locking, and the interior handle/bowden cable?
 
#38 ·
There's enough double entendres in this thread for a Carry On film... :big_grin:

miss_corerupted said:
I do have plenty of experience now.
Click to expand...
miss_corerupted said:
Well I fiddled with the green knob for ages and it has made no difference. I tried pulling up the rod as hard as I could but it didn't do anything... I have done this so many times now I can do it on handed and by feel...
Click to expand...
miss_corerupted said:
... then OH was out there for another 45 mins trying everything I had
Click to expand...
Sorry, can't actually help with the original problem :serious:
 
#39 ·
Hi there I see this is an old thread but hoping for a reply, I just got a 08" cooper with the Mayfair package it looks and goes beautifully, however we have discovered a problem opening the passenger door similar to what's described. Probably a rookie error, but we have read the manual and tried all different combos and still no joy. The door unlocks using the remote and can be opened from inside, but outside handle won't open the door. The convenience button works to lock and unlock. Everything seems to be working except handle. Is there something we are missing? Or could it be the door handle is broken? Pls any reply would be appreciated....
 
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