QuestionQUESTION: 1997 BMW 528i driver door will not open, all other doors are ok. This has happened before during cold weather only. How do I get it open and what part do I replace before my wife kills me.
ANSWER: (If she's a widow, would she sell the car to me cheaply?)
Can't tell enough from your description. Does it work from either the inside or outside? Is the door frozen shut by water around the seal? Does it clear up when the car warms up?
Assuming it's not a frozen seal, it sounds like a linkage either off or bent. Best move is to remove the inner panel and start looking.
Good luck.
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QUESTION: Additional info: Not a frozen seal. Appears electric, like the electric locd is interfering. Door handles (in and out) work ok but door will not release. Electric locks seem to work (all doors) both with remote and inside button. Door will not even pry open. What does a "actuator" do ? This has happened before, only cold weather, usually clears up in a day or two, this time it has been over a week. I will give her your email address in case she wants to sell, only after the funeral, BMW is black and good for the trip to the cemetary.
AnswerThe fact you have power going to the locks hints that it's more likely mechanical than electrical.
Both the inner door handle and outer door handles on that car are connected to the latching mechanism by linkages. Sounds like something is either off or bound in the linkages, or the mechanism is frozen.
Best bet is to take the inner door panel off and see what's happening. Unfortunately, that's tough (impossible?) to do without being able to open the door.
Not sure of the temperatures there (I'm in Minneapolis where it's currently -9F). Is there someplace you can take this to warm it up? An enclosed parking garage, etc? If not, I'm afraid taking it to a mechanic or dealer may be your only option.
Good luck. (And thanks for passing my email address along!)
