2002 330ci Door Latch Problem

[zero1niner]

I have a 2002 330Ci, and today I had an unusual problem. The passenger door will not open from the inside door handle. The problem is intermittent, but it has happened at least 6 or so times today.

Today is the first time I have had the problem, although I have only had the car for a few months. Dont know if this could be a possible part of the problem or not, but it is raining like crazy here today.

Anyone have any ideas what the problem might be?

Thanks in advance.

Frank

[AF]

Is the door being locked with the remote and then you are trying to open it ?


If so that could be the problem, if you use the remote to lock the car, you need to use it to unlock the car ...

[Carskibum]

That happens to me when its cold out. Like u its on and offfor me too.

[Chendol]

Happened to me last year and drove it straight down the dealer when it happened. They replaced it and it hasn't recurred since.

Good luck.

[zero1niner]

Is the door being locked with the remote and then you are trying to open it ?


If so that could be the problem, if you use the remote to lock the car, you need to use it to unlock the car ...

I am sure its not the remote problem. It happens when myself and a passender get in the car, go somewhere, and then park and try to open the door. Each time it happened, I had to open the door from the outside.

Bummer is that the dealer will keep my car for the whole day then tell me 'sorry we couldnt reproduce the problem'.

At least I am glad to know that I am not the only one having the problem. Just maybe they will know what I am talking about and fix it anyway.

[mandms7]

Interesting that you posted this, because I have the same car (2002 330Ci) that I just bought a couple months ago, and the exact same thing happened to me the other day. I pulled the handle once to unlock the door, then pulled it again to open it, and all that happened was the handle pulled out - it felt like it broke. I had to keep locking and unlocking the door to get it to open. I was trapped in my own car!

[vatkens]

I’m with BMW of North America, LLC. I’m sorry to read about this problem with your door latch. If you and your BMW center would like our assistance, please phone us at (800) 831-1117 or email us at CustomerRelations@bmwusa.com, and mention Reference #200501400315 so that we can help you more efficiently.

[Memphis10]

I have a 2003 325i and I experienced this door latch problem. I opened the door, got into the car, and when I tried to close the door, it wouldn't close. I kept trying to close it but the door latch wouldn't engage and the door would just bounce off. Infact, the locking system inside the cabin didn't work and neither did the one on the key. It has happened to me twice since then and it happens in the morning when it is cold outside. It works fine the rest of the day. The first time it happened, I got stuck inside and couldn't open the door. I couldn't drive because the door was just hinged and not closed. I had to wait for 20 min before the locking switches started working again and door closed. I took it to the dealer and they changed the door latch assembly but the problem has occured again since the repair. I took it back but they could not replicate it. Waiting for a cold day again to take it in.

[fso_BamBam]

I am sure its not the remote problem. It happens when myself and a passender get in the car, go somewhere, and then park and try to open the door. Each time it happened, I had to open the door from the outside.

Bummer is that the dealer will keep my car for the whole day then tell me 'sorry we couldnt reproduce the problem'.

At least I am glad to know that I am not the only one having the problem. Just maybe they will know what I am talking about and fix it anyway.

This exact same thing happened to me, except on the driver's side door.

http://bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48059

It was intermittent, just like you said, but then it broke, and broke for good. I knew if I took it to the dealer, they could replicate the problem, which they did and fixed it under warranty.

[mwette]

I had this happen last week for the first time on my 10/02 build 330Ci.

[adtinio]

this has happened to my car just recently, but with the driver side door. my car is also a 2002 330ci. basically, after driving (and after the automatic lock engages), when i try to get out of the car, the first pull of the handle unlocks the door (the little lock stem pops out). the second pull however does not do anything. there's no tension on the handle and i can't get out. i have to reach over and pull the outside handle to get out.

same as you, it happens intermittently. another similarity we have is that it seems to happen when it is/has been raining.