Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Door handle won't open from outside, but still works from inside

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    298
    My Cars
    E89, E39, E38

    Door handle won't open from outside, but still works from inside

    I took my E38 in for an alignment at Goodyear today. Got in the car afterwards and the door handle didn't open. I thought maybe the car had locked itself somehow, but since the window was open, I just grabbed the interior door handle, opened the door, and went on my way. But later that day, I found that the exterior door handle doesn't work at all now. So every time I need to get in my car, I have to open the rear door, stretch my arm all the way to the interior door handle up front, and push the door open.

    I found this guide for the E53 X5 (http://www.xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php?&topic=417.0), but since Photobucket is a greedy company, I can't see any of the pictures. Is the process the same for the E38? Any ideas? Thanks in advance.
    10/12 E89 Z4 sDrive35i: Alpine White/Coral Red, 6MT, ZMP
    12/01 E39 M5: TiAg/full black leather, Supersprint mufflers + x-pipe, SSK
    04/95 E38 750iL: Jet Black/black, M Parallels, Shadowline, x-pipe and muffler delete

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Denver, Colorado
    Posts
    93
    My Cars
    1997 BMW 740i
    I don't know if my late reply is very helpful now, but I think a plate might've shifted out of place.

    The same thing happened to my car, but in the rear. I opened up my panel and I saw why. There's a reason plate that can slide left and right on the inside of the handle. If it shifts out of place, the handle doesn't work because their isn't a direct connection with the latch.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    NJ
    Posts
    298
    My Cars
    E89, E39, E38
    Quote Originally Posted by humzaqureshi View Post
    I don't know if my late reply is very helpful now, but I think a plate might've shifted out of place.

    The same thing happened to my car, but in the rear. I opened up my panel and I saw why. There's a reason plate that can slide left and right on the inside of the handle. If it shifts out of place, the handle doesn't work because their isn't a direct connection with the latch.
    It's not too late haha, I'm still having this issue. Can you clarify what you mean by "reason plate"? Or is that a typo? Thanks in advance.
    10/12 E89 Z4 sDrive35i: Alpine White/Coral Red, 6MT, ZMP
    12/01 E39 M5: TiAg/full black leather, Supersprint mufflers + x-pipe, SSK
    04/95 E38 750iL: Jet Black/black, M Parallels, Shadowline, x-pipe and muffler delete

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2016
    Location
    Denver, Colorado
    Posts
    93
    My Cars
    1997 BMW 740i
    Quote Originally Posted by rgao007 View Post
    It's not too late haha, I'm still having this issue. Can you clarify what you mean by "reason plate"? Or is that a typo? Thanks in advance.
    Sorry, typo. I just meant a plate. I hate my rear panel still off so I will take a couple picture for you in the day time and send them.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
    Location
    Chicago, Illinois
    Posts
    3,842
    My Cars
    are slow

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Land O Lakes, FL
    Posts
    1,077
    My Cars
    1986 535i, 2012 X5 50i
    I know this is kind of an old thread (maybe you solved the issue already) but in my car, the pivot point of the interior latch mechanism broke and when you pulled the outside handle, nothing happened. I got a sued one from a pick-a-part and removed the old cylinder by pushing three pins (two hold the back of the mechanism to the key cylinder which is held in place by cylinder kept in place by another pin). So, did the switch of cylinders and re-installed everything. Now everything works and two weeks later the rear left door is doing the same (opens from the inside but no from the outside) so I have another trip pending soon!
    Jimmy Moreno
    BMW CCA 115551
    1986 535i, Arctic Blue
    2012 X5 XDrive 501, Sparkling Bronze Metallic

Similar Threads

  1. Drivers door won't open from outside but will open from inside
    By pyzo in forum 1999+ X5, X6 (E53, E70, E71, F15, F16, G05, G06)
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 02-06-2013, 11:19 AM
  2. Replies: 15
    Last Post: 03-29-2011, 05:14 PM
  3. Driver door handle won't open car
    By brunp in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 07-29-2009, 07:20 PM
  4. Door handle won't open
    By thedudewalter in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 11-04-2007, 06:17 PM
  5. door handle sometimes doesnt open from outside?
    By luckytopher in forum 1991 - 1999 (E36)
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 01-24-2007, 12:45 AM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •