Help with 1994 318is driver side locking mechanism

[hida]

Hello!

I've got a fairly rundown 318is which I'm trying to restore... and I'm stuck on repairing the driver side locking mechanism, namely because the door is shut and will not open from either the inside or the outside. When I initially bought the car, it was slightly sticky, and required a little push from the outside to get it open, however, as time went on, the door shut one day, and never opened again. I've removed all the door panels and have gotten access to the locking mechanism and sprayed some WD40 on there to lubricate it but still, it won't budge. I have a feeling the latch on the door isn't working when I'm pulling on the handle, in or out, but have no real way to access it.

I guess I'm wondering if anybody has ran into this on our cars before? Pretty rough problem, and I don't really see a solution other than cutting into the door itself and forcing the latch open. :(

Thank you so much in advance for any help, it's very appreciated!

[xxxxxxx]

If I recall there should be a little swinging tab coming out of the mechanism which connects to the interior door handle via a thin metal rod. I'd try reaching in and yanking on that tab... Disconnect the rod from the door handle if you need to. Also might help to put some upward force on the door at the same time you're trying to open it.

Also, google:
https://www.google.com/search?q=e36+door+stuck+closed&oq=e36+door+stuck+closed&aqs=chrome..69i57.3255j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

[hida]

If I recall there should be a little swinging tab coming out of the mechanism which connects to the interior door handle via a thin metal rod. I'd try reaching in and yanking on that tab... Disconnect the rod from the door handle if you need to. Also might help to put some upward force on the door at the same time you're trying to open it.

Also, google:
https://www.google.com/search?q=e36+door+stuck+closed&oq=e36+door+stuck+closed&aqs=chrome..69i57.3255j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Hey, thank you for the response! I've actually searched around google, couldn't really get anything back from it other than applying pressure on the panel and trying to open at the same time.

I was actually just down there playing with it, unfortunately made little progress. Seems like the latch that's behind the door is either stuck or is inoperable. Tried to get the actuator plug off to test it for power but there was very little room to do it, and it wasn't particularly dying before, I just had problems catching the latch.

Are there any fuses that cause this problem? I checked the fusebox already but the fuses concerning the central locking system are all intact.

Realllllyyyyy dont wanna cut this panel just to get to the latch... maybe I could dremel the latch open from the inside? I feel like I'm abusing this poor car lol.

[spyderg0d]

If you get the panel somewhat off.. You follow the rod that comes from the handle to inside the door and attached to the latch.. Where it attached, pull. That will open the latch. If the door hinges are worn, or the door is not alihned properly, you may have to pull the latch tab AND push on the door.

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Also.. If you can even grab the rod thats to the inside door handle and pull it, that will unlatch the door latch.