This is to all the BMW owners out there. I recently just had the door actuator in my 2003 325i go out on me. I mean it stopped working and I couldnt open the door It Was Locked. You can get the door panel off without having the door open. Only thing that saved my ass was installing a new center console lock switch (which was broken) and after hitting it a hundred times the door finally opened. You can not change the actuator without having the door open. Thank God I saved the day.
Excellent detailed video without and he doesn't waste a lot of time with talking about stuff you don't want to hear. Great shots inside the door as well, which few show :)
Very helpful & gives me the confidence to undertake the job myself. I recently replaced the door handle carrier too. Very pleased with myself.Front left door is frozen locked and I've been dreading breeching the door card to get the door open. To my delight, this morning it unlocked and I was able to open the door! Car was parked in hot sun in a humid climate so I'm wondering is the problem electrical or mechanical? Mind you this door was playing-up for 12 months and I now regret not repairing it last year. So I jammed the door mat across the lock mechanism and tied the door to the pillar so lock wouldn't engage. It is now parked in my workshop so I'd better started. Thanks again from Australia!
Great video. I have the symptoms of occasionally all 4 doors not unlocking when using the fob, BUT the tailgate does unlock. (2007 X5 e70). I wouldn't expect all 4 door actuators to be faulty at once - but does the drivers door actuator control all the others? Would you think I have a problem with the drivers door actuator or the control module? (98% of the time everything works fine). Would you also recommend disconnecting the battery when doing this repair?
As someone else mentioned, you left out a VERY IMPORTANT step -- you must remove the door handle key mechanism if this is the driver side door. I realize this is passenger side door, but it should be pointed out that this step is necessary on driver's side.
you didn't' finish the job. How do you remove the inner handle release from the d.actuator? What about replacing the outer door handle cable? Any tricks or tips? Thanks
Does the door lock actuator have any effect on the window control from the drivers side, when using the switch on drivers side the passenger door window is not responding?
Hi, have a problem the drivers side door. All my other three doors r able to unlock n lock perfectly with the key BT the driver's door won't lock. The lock switches r able to go up n down for all the doors. (Bmw 318i) kindly help....
When I use my FOB sometimes If I press it a couple time it would work like it was stuck or something. Even using the key it wont open. It feels like nothing is in the key lock now. Is it complete broken?
hello I have a 2003 BMW X5 when I put the key in to lock the door my alarm doesn't activate and the other doors don't lock just the driver side what do you think the problem is
a little late to the party, but check your window switch for that door, as the door Actuator gets power from the cable that runs to the power window up down switch for that door. I had to using a power probe and supply power to the blue wire and the black cable for ground and the motor turned on and I was able to unlock my door to get the door unstuck, to do this repair.
Hi ,I have BMW 323i 2 doors 1999,the driver side door is not opening by remote which i changed the battery the passenger side is opening .i saw your video regarding the removal and replace door lock actuator .can you help me ,do i need ccomplet door lock actuator or just electrical part for that.again thank you for sharing .
This is a common problem with BMW. Seems that your actuator in your driver door lock stopped working. If Im not mistaken, the actuator is built in the whole door lock assembly, therefore, you would need to replace the whole mechanism. Check out our store, we should have that part in stock. Thanks
Any tips on how to get the door open when it's stuck shut? Front driver door will not open from inside or outside. You do hear lock sounds and button goes up and down both with key and remote. But it will not release door.
my 2006 X5 rear door has been stuck for a while.I have managed to get the door panel off and peel back the foam in the hope that one of the cables had just come loose. Both cables are attached and when pulled work correctly but i still can't open the door. How are you able to remove the actuator if you cannot get to the three screws holding it in place?
Hello, If your working with a BMW E46 3-series models, the actuator and locking mechanish are all integrated so its really one piece. If you lock your car using your key fob and all doors lock except driver, then you should replace actuator promptly, otherwise, if actuator stops working, you will not be able to open your door and you will have to tear your door panel to access the actuator. Hope that helps. Check out our website for bmw used parts www.bimmermerchant.com
bimmermerchant thanks. It's a e39. When you use the key the car locks and unlocks. The button piece goes up and down, but driver door will not open. It's stuck shut. Trying to find way to open panel to get door to open.
hey, what if my back doors and my hatch it's locked. will that means I have to replace the actuators on all that or is it something else? I have a 2006 BMW X5.
Hello, Its not common for actuators to become faulty on both rear doors and rear hatch. You might have a faulty General module that needs replacing. A general module controls locking mechanism on your X5 and should be located below your glove box. Hope that helps.
Thanks for the info. It started back working again. The middle unlock button wasn't working at the moment. Now I have another problem. My passenger door will not open from the outside but it will from the inside. Can you tell me what problems could be causing this as well? Thanks in advance.
You said that if the lock stops working, you recommend changing the actuator right away, otherwise you will be faced with removing the door panel later. Is that what you really meant? I thought we were removing the door panel to change the actuator already? I don't mean this is a smart-alek way, I'm just trying to figure out if there is a way to fix it without removing the door panel. Thanks for the video. It is very helpful.
revolution1964 Yes, thats what we meant. If your door won't unlock due to faulty actuator then you won't be able to open door therefore making it harder to remove door panel with out tearing it apart.
Do not assume installation of a new actuator could be done in reverse. Since this dude recommends a replacement for purchase on his web site he should've also said that for installing a new one you need to: 1) remove the Door Lock; 2) install the actuator, and; 3) align the door lock stem with the withe nylon cross on the new actuator.
I could not get my old one out with the door lock still keeping it in place , could not access the Allen screw holding the door lock in 🤦♂️ to remove the actuator i had to put it all back with the old actuator still in 🤷♂️
+nidia anzaldua This actuator will not fix your key issue. Seems like the pin that's connected to your door lock cylinder is broken and therefore makes no contact with the actuator assembly.
There is ONE STEP MISSING!! I You need to remove the 4mm (allen) hex bolt to loosen the door handle key mechanism in order to get the key lock spindle out of the actuator. It won't just "fall out" unless you do this to pull the door handle out half an inch for clearance. You need to take off the little black plastic cover to get access to that bolt.
u can get lucky sometimes by pulling the outer door in and out rapidly and hard (not so hard u break the handle). do it for 30 seconds at a time. Also try putting the window down and applying weight up and down on door as you rapidly open door handle. another trick is to lock and unlock the doors allot of times trying in between each one. i can normally get 90% of them open after 5 minutes of the above. Mostly from being rough with door handle from outside and applyin weight in differnt places. it literally pops open. if all the above fails.... remove trim and get the drill then release it. its pretty messy and time consuming.
Ohhh no had to remove door panel and rip door actuator off!! Pain in the ass! but hey door unlocks and locks. Now If I can get the back doors to unlock without having to pull the handle once on the inside that would be awesome
How did you get it out without removing the actual door lock that still holds the actuator in place when the 3 torx bolts are removed ?
This is to all the BMW owners out there. I recently just had the door actuator in my 2003 325i go out on me. I mean it stopped working and I couldnt open the door It Was Locked. You can get the door panel off without having the door open. Only thing that saved my ass was installing a new center console lock switch (which was broken) and after hitting it a hundred times the door finally opened. You can not change the actuator without having the door open. Thank God I saved the day.
Im confused. My door is stacked shut and locked.
I recommend taking this out when replacing the door handle assembly. Makes it so much easier.
Excellent detailed video without and he doesn't waste a lot of time with talking about stuff you don't want to hear. Great shots inside the door as well, which few show :)
Very helpful & gives me the confidence to undertake the job myself. I recently replaced the door handle carrier too. Very pleased with myself.Front left door is frozen locked and I've been dreading breeching the door card to get the door open. To my delight, this morning it unlocked and I was able to open the door! Car was parked in hot sun in a humid climate so I'm wondering is the problem electrical or mechanical? Mind you this door was playing-up for 12 months and I now regret not repairing it last year. So I jammed the door mat across the lock mechanism and tied the door to the pillar so lock wouldn't engage. It is now parked in my workshop so I'd better started. Thanks again from Australia!
Great video. I have the symptoms of occasionally all 4 doors not unlocking when using the fob, BUT the tailgate does unlock. (2007 X5 e70). I wouldn't expect all 4 door actuators to be faulty at once - but does the drivers door actuator control all the others? Would you think I have a problem with the drivers door actuator or the control module? (98% of the time everything works fine). Would you also recommend disconnecting the battery when doing this repair?
As someone else mentioned, you left out a VERY IMPORTANT step -- you must remove the door handle key mechanism if this is the driver side door. I realize this is passenger side door, but it should be pointed out that this step is necessary on driver's side.
Thank you for watching the video. Thank you for sharing.
Hi fantastic video but my problem is door won't open I have removed door card everything looks to be working ok but I can't open door
My doors will lock from the inside, but they wont lock with key or the lock button inside or the fob. I have 2003 x5 4.4 I'm not sure what to replace
you didn't' finish the job. How do you remove the inner handle release from the d.actuator? What about replacing the outer door handle cable? Any tricks or tips? Thanks
Does the door lock actuator have any effect on the window control from the drivers side, when using the switch on drivers side the passenger door window is not responding?
actuator and window control are independent
Hi, have a problem the drivers side door. All my other three doors r able to unlock n lock perfectly with the key BT the driver's door won't lock. The lock switches r able to go up n down for all the doors. (Bmw 318i) kindly help....
Do you have to disconnect the battery before removing the airbag?
When I use my FOB sometimes If I press it a couple time it would work like it was stuck or something. Even using the key it wont open. It feels like nothing is in the key lock now. Is it complete broken?
hello I have a 2003 BMW X5 when I put the key in to lock the door my alarm doesn't activate and the other doors don't lock just the driver side what do you think the problem is
a little late to the party, but check your window switch for that door, as the door Actuator gets power from the cable that runs to the power window up down switch for that door. I had to using a power probe and supply power to the blue wire and the black cable for ground and the motor turned on and I was able to unlock my door to get the door unstuck, to do this repair.
Hi ,I have BMW 323i 2 doors 1999,the driver side door is not opening by remote which i changed the battery the passenger side is opening .i saw your video regarding the removal and replace door lock actuator .can you help me ,do i need ccomplet door lock actuator or just electrical part for that.again thank you for sharing .
This is a common problem with BMW. Seems that your actuator in your driver door lock stopped working. If Im not mistaken, the actuator is built in the whole door lock assembly, therefore, you would need to replace the whole mechanism. Check out our store, we should have that part in stock. Thanks
Do you have a lock actuator removal for the drivers? for a 325i 2001 plus the door is closed but it is accessible from the inside
Do you suggest disconnecting battery before trying to remove airbag?
always
Any tips on how to get the door open when it's stuck shut?
Front driver door will not open from inside or outside. You do hear lock sounds and button goes up and down both with key and remote. But it will not release door.
Francesca Biundo i have the same problem :(
Did you guys find a solution other than having the door ripped off?
my 2006 X5 rear door has been stuck for a while.I have managed to get the door panel off and peel back the foam in the hope that one of the cables had just come loose.
Both cables are attached and when pulled work correctly but i still can't open the door.
How are you able to remove the actuator if you cannot get to the three screws holding it in place?
Did you ever figure it out?
@@chrismarquez9691 Hi i seem to recall it was sticking and spraying the lock mechanism with loads of WD 40 and it cured it.
How do you remove the airbag of the front passenger side door? i am facing that problem right now. I replaced the actuator on right back seat already.
First, disconnect your battery then there is an upper and lower bolt on the airbag. then proceed to unclip the plug on the back of the airbag box.
How do you know if you need just the actuator or the whole lock mechanism?
Hello, If your working with a BMW E46 3-series models, the actuator and locking mechanish are all integrated so its really one piece. If you lock your car using your key fob and all doors lock except driver, then you should replace actuator promptly, otherwise, if actuator stops working, you will not be able to open your door and you will have to tear your door panel to access the actuator. Hope that helps.
Check out our website for bmw used parts www.bimmermerchant.com
bimmermerchant thanks.
It's a e39. When you use the key the car locks and unlocks. The button piece goes up and down, but driver door will not open. It's stuck shut.
Trying to find way to open panel to get door to open.
hey, what if my back doors and my hatch it's locked. will that means I have to replace the actuators on all that or is it something else? I have a 2006 BMW X5.
Hello,
Its not common for actuators to become faulty on both rear doors and rear hatch. You might have a faulty General module that needs replacing. A general module controls locking mechanism on your X5 and should be located below your glove box. Hope that helps.
Thanks for the info. It started back working again. The middle unlock button wasn't working at the moment. Now I have another problem. My passenger door will not open from the outside but it will from the inside. Can you tell me what problems could be causing this as well? Thanks in advance.
broken cable latch or broken handle carrier.
either one, you won't know till you remove. My best bet would be cable.
You said that if the lock stops working, you recommend changing the actuator right away, otherwise you will be faced with removing the door panel later. Is that what you really meant? I thought we were removing the door panel to change the actuator already?
I don't mean this is a smart-alek way, I'm just trying to figure out if there is a way to fix it without removing the door panel.
Thanks for the video. It is very helpful.
revolution1964 Yes, thats what we meant. If your door won't unlock due to faulty actuator then you won't be able to open door therefore making it harder to remove door panel with out tearing it apart.
Whats "tearing it apart" mean?
Hello where are you located? Do you have a repair shop in LA?
Do not assume installation of a new actuator could be done in reverse. Since this dude recommends a replacement for purchase on his web site he should've also said that for installing a new one you need to: 1) remove the Door Lock; 2) install the actuator, and; 3) align the door lock stem with the withe nylon cross on the new actuator.
I could not get my old one out with the door lock still keeping it in place , could not access the Allen screw holding the door lock in 🤦♂️ to remove the actuator i had to put it all back with the old actuator still in 🤷♂️
how can i do that with the door closed? ( rear left door ).
Unfortunately door needs to be opened.
i have 2006 x3 my key will turn 90 degrees both ways and wont unlock. would this fix it?
+nidia anzaldua This actuator will not fix your key issue. Seems like the pin that's connected to your door lock cylinder is broken and therefore makes no contact with the actuator assembly.
+bimmermerchant. what do you think we need to change? would i need a while new key?
My door is locked shut. Any Ideas? He says its nearly impossible has to be a way
Unfortunately we don't have any ideas on how to open your door.
Do you know how to test a door actuator before buying a new one
if door doesn't unlock with key fob, then your actuator is bad.
Check ur fuses and wiring first if they are fine it’s more than likely ur actuators
There is ONE STEP MISSING!! I You need to remove the 4mm (allen) hex bolt to loosen the door handle key mechanism in order to get the key lock spindle out of the actuator. It won't just "fall out" unless you do this to pull the door handle out half an inch for clearance. You need to take off the little black plastic cover to get access to that bolt.
where is this 4mm hex bolt located?
I was going to say the same thing! Good catch.
SO that happened on the car I just bought. how do I open said door now that the actuator is broken?
u can get lucky sometimes by pulling the outer door in and out rapidly and hard (not so hard u break the handle). do it for 30 seconds at a time. Also try putting the window down and applying weight up and down on door as you rapidly open door handle.
another trick is to lock and unlock the doors allot of times trying in between each one.
i can normally get 90% of them open after 5 minutes of the above. Mostly from being rough with door handle from outside and applyin weight in differnt places. it literally pops open.
if all the above fails.... remove trim and get the drill then release it. its pretty messy and time consuming.
thanks I managed to get it
awesome ;)
did you manage to get it open without having to hack it ?
Ohhh no had to remove door panel and rip door actuator off!! Pain in the ass! but hey door unlocks and locks. Now If I can get the back doors to unlock without having to pull the handle once on the inside that would be awesome
Ha. That sucks. Well good luck!
Se puede repara el motor?
No. Tiene que remplasar toda la unidad.
www.bimmermerchant.com
I'm here because my door won't open from inside neither outside 😔 😢
Did you get any help
Thanks, the video helped me remove the part and exchange it.