E46 - Drivers door handle has stopped working??

[Theoldfm]

We haven't used our E46 for a couple of weeks and when I have gone to open it tonight, the drivers side door handle no longer works.

The central locking is all working OK and you can open the door using the inside lever but for some reason, the outside one just doesn't appear to be doing anything.

I am assuming that there is some kind of electical switch inside it the is operated by the central locking - when the car is locked you can pull the door handles but they don't engage the locks, which is how the drivers side door handle now appears to be.

Any ideas???

[anonymous-user]

Theoldfm said:

We haven't used our E46 for a couple of weeks and when I have gone to open it tonight, the drivers side door handle no longer works.

The central locking is all working OK and you can open the door using the inside lever but for some reason, the outside one just doesn't appear to be doing anything.

I am assuming that there is some kind of electical switch inside it the is operated by the central locking - when the car is locked you can pull the door handles but they don't engage the locks, which is how the drivers side door handle now appears to be.

Any ideas???

Quite common and happened to my old 330ci. The handle mechanism breaks inside. I think you have to get the whole lot replaced though.

[taylor86]

NOO!!

Dont buy anything before you try this, seriously. it works:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hT9E-BQOJk

[Theoldfm]

Thanks for the replies - I had a search around on some other forums and it appears that this is quite a common fault with the E46.

To fix it you simply need to remove the door panel and then reclip the cable onto the end of the door release mechanism, putting a zip tie around it to hold it all in place.

Sounds too simple to be true but I have fixed it tonight and it took all of an hour to do!!

Job jobbed.

[taylor86]

nice one! i need a day of doing these sort of jobs!