[Canadian 330ci]

Okay so yes I know another e46 with a door that won’t open.
It’s not a GM5 issue or electrical.

I recently replaced the door lock actuator as the lock wouldn’t unlock without me manually opening from the inside. After replacing the actuator everything was great for about 2 seconds until I closed the door. Suddenly it wouldn’t open from the inside or outside. After 30mins of panic I realized if I disconnected the cable with the yellow neck (leads to outer handle) then I could pull the latch it’s supposed to open and boom door pops open.

Now my first thought is this cable is clearly stretched from time and now it needs to be replaced (Not a fun looking job). But this makes no sense to me, why would to door stay locked even when it’s unlocked just because of the outside handle. Regardless, locked or unlocked the inside latch should open the door yet it didn’t for some reason and I tried many times with lots of effort and force. So so I replace this cable or is there something else I’m missing.

TLDR: door won’t open inside or out without exterior handle cable removed and latch manually pulled. Is it just the cable has to be replaced or is something else going on. Why does the exterior handle effect the interior handle?
A

also why does no one reply to these threads it seems

 

[MrMCar]

First things first; Going forward anytime you perform door lock/latch work use a screwdriver to close the latch fully whilst the door is open. This way you won't have to do what you had to do again. Test a couple of times and if all's good, then do the same with the actuator locking/unlocking. Then close the door.

The latch comes open two ways; Both by cable:
The long cable that attaches to the inner door handle. Also the shorter cable that attaches to the outer door handle.
As to the later, it's very possible it's stretched?

With the door panel removed, see if you can get a good look inside and watch both cables to see just how much or little it pulls on the opening mechanism. Then try to do the same with a long screwdriver. Does it need that little extra? Could be stretched cables.

Then try the same with the actuator removed. Different scenario completely? If so suspect the actuator OR the part the actuator moves in the latch itself might be worn?

You just might have to pull the latch out completely and inspect?

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

BMW parts 3' E46 330Ci Door swivel handle, front (from 09/00)

www.realoem.com

 

[Canadian 330ci]

First things first; Going forward anytime you perform door lock/latch work use a screwdriver to close the latch fully whilst the door is open. This way you won't have to do what you had to do again. Test a couple of times and if all's good, then do the same with the actuator locking/unlocking. Then close the door.

The latch comes open two ways; Both by cable:
The long cable that attaches to the inner door handle. Also the shorter cable that attaches to the outer door handle.
As to the later, it's very possible it's stretched?

With the door panel removed, see if you can get a good look inside and watch both cables to see just how much or little it pulls on the opening mechanism. Then try to do the same with a long screwdriver. Does it need that little extra? Could be stretched cables.

Then try the same with the actuator removed. Different scenario completely? If so suspect the actuator OR the part the actuator moves in the latch itself might be worn?

You just might have to pull the latch out completely and inspect?

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

BMW parts 3' E46 330Ci Door swivel handle, front (from 09/00)

www.realoem.com

thanks!
I closed the latch pulled the lock cable out (that connects the exterior carrier and reinstalled it. Door works again, I think the cable was stuck partially engaged.