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Thread: Passenger door won't open from outside. Opens fine from inside

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
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    2006 BMW X5 3.0i

    Passenger door won't open from outside. Opens fine from inside

    I have a 2006 x5 3.0i. The other day, I wasn't able to open the passenger front door from the outside. Opening from the inside works just fine. I pull the panel and vapor barrier to see what was going on and it looks like the window is blocking the completion of the handle pull from the outside. My theory is that the window regulator clips failed and caused the window to shift back slightly. However when I try to wiggle the window back and forth, it feels pretty solid. Plus, it trails up and down just fine. BTW, door won't open whether the window is up or down.

    But before I tear into the door, pull the window and replace the clips, I'd like to get any input as to whether it is something else. The door handle feels fine and solid. Doesn't feel like it is broken. It just pressing up again the last 1/16" of the window. Annoying. And the reason I think it might be the regulator clips is that I replaced the window regulator on the driver window not too long ago and the clips in that window were brittle and just fell apart when I pulled the window out.

    Thanks in advance for any input.

    James

  2. #2
    Pelican Parts's Avatar
    Pelican Parts is offline Senior Member Supporting Vendor
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    Aug 2013
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    Hello and welcome to the forum! You're likely correct about it being the regulator clips being the issue - in our DIY article we suggest having some on hand in case they break when removing them.

    http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...eplacement.htm
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  3. #3
    Join Date
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    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
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    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  4. #4
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    Thanks Power04. Since there is no play in the window, gonna go with the door handle carrier. Start there anyway. No desire to pull a window out again.

  5. #5
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    Thanks Pelican. After further review, I'm thinking its the door handle carrier. If not, then I'll move onto the clips.

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    If the outside handle sticks out just a little more than the plastic handle trim, it's 100% the handle carrier.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Oh, and don't buy aftermarket if you don't want to do the job again.
    -Abel

    - E36 328is ~210-220whp: Lots of Mods.
    - 2000 Z3: Many Mods.
    - 2003 VW Jetta TDI Manual 47-50mpg
    - 1999 S52 Estoril M Coupe
    - 2014 328d Wagon, self-tuned, 270hp/430ft-lbs
    - 2019 M2 Competition, self-tuned, 504whp
    - 2016 Mini Cooper S

  7. #7
    Join Date
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    E39M5, E500 4WD
    +1. Abel (328Power04) has absolutely nailed it. It is ALWAYS that pot-metal handle/carrier. On the E53, it's as common as....oh, use your favorite cliche' here.

    Not much fun, without experience on this item. There are several items which you just "get used to". Like gently pushing the lock piece of the handle back. Like backing off the allen head screw for this, or backing off the phillips screw towards the inside; lining up the damned rubber gasket......

    What instructions do you have? Pro? Bentley? Or Mr. Bedgdiddle, over on YouTube? (I made that up, don't look for it)

    And as Abel warns: Do NOT buy aftermarket. Lord knows, the OE unit is weak enough, don't go sticking worse stuff in there!

    Chris Powell
    Racer and Instructor since, well. decades, ok?
    Master Auto Tech, owner of German Motors of Aberdeen
    BMWCCA 274412
    German Motors is hiring ! https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...1#post30831471

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
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    2006 BMW X5 3.0i
    Thanks everyone! It was indeed the handle carrier that broke. Found a great how to video online from Bimmer Zeit (YouTube) and completed the repair easily. Well, took little finagling to get it placed though, but easier the the window actuator I did before. He has several videos which are a great resource. I also watched a video of his on how to replace the transfer case gear actuator and was able to that for $10 after mine failed.

    This was my 9th repair on the car since I bought it a year and a half ago. I have been able to do everything myself thankfully and saved a fortune from having to take it in to a mechanic. But couldn't have done it all without guidance from this forum, so thanks again for all the advice. And I'm sure I'll be back soon...
    Last edited by jbharve; 09-27-2017 at 11:57 AM.

  9. #9
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    Glad it worked out for you.

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