If you have problems with door handle mechanisme for the inside is lagging or not opening the door every time. Try this little trick before buying a new mechanisme or cable ☺
Great fix, thanks for the idea, it resolved my issue! Instead of a piece of wood I used a small zip tie, the benefit there is the head of the tie fits into the hole where the cable end belongs and it won't fall out. Satisfying to be able to open the door properly!
Last night I stopped to get gas in my Cooper and my door won't open. Had to roll the window down and use the outside door handle. Found your video and quick fix this morning and it works great! Thank you.
I have fixed the door handle 3x with felt tape as the manufacturer suggested. The 3rd time I did it, it didn’t even work when I put the door panel back together. Can’t wait to try this and see how it works thanks for posting it
This is a brilliant solution. Even with Brian's video, where he's removing the entire cable mechanism from the door, it wasn't clear to me how to remove the cable barrel end from the latch clip. In the end, I just yanked up on the cable to clear it from the latch clip. Then I positioned the barrel terminator as you suggest and stretched the cable to reinsert it in the latch clip. To support the plastic barrel clip holder from deforming, I used a short machine screw. It should last at least for a while. If it it eventually fails, dealer repair likely will be needed but that was my alternative now anyway. Thanks for posting!
Absolutely spot on. Great explanation and it worked a treat. I also took opportunity to lubricate the door lock mechanism as it was getting stiff. - Probably why the cable stretched. Thank you so much.
Just want to say, I ordered a new latch from bmw before I saw your post, I did your fix and it worked perfectly, quickly called up bmw and cancelled my order (was gonna cost me 300+ for the latch and cable) Thank you
I had this issue and realized it was caused not by a stretching cable, but by a broken clip inside the door. This clip held the cable we see in the video, but inside the door, on the left side. Without it, there was low tension. Fix: remove faulty clip, pass ziptie through the hole and use a washer to secure it in place.
Thanks mate, just fixed my daughters driver door. Dodgy cars salesman told us it was a "standard feature" with mini that they open on the second pull. What a tosser.
Actually he was right. First pull should unlock, second pull should open door. It's in the manual. On mine, first pull doesn't unlock, so second pull won't open door. I might have a bad cable.
BLOODY GENIUS!!! Thank you for the great idea. Just saved me from a garage bill and now my car will pass it's MOT! I just glued a Dowling in and it worked a treat!!
Good fix and it works! . I used a pair of wire cuter and nibbled open the side of the plactic housing right were that lead cable end goes, just enough to expose the hole. I found a blue male fork wire end connecter fits perfectly into the hole. ( opposite side shown in this veido), I bent, not cut! off the metal tip at a 90° and wigged it in that hole with the metal tip facing into the hoseing. Worked perfact and last longer as that wood will deteriorate but yet a great idea as well.! Fyi.. that cable stretched or the lock mechanism broke or bent the retaining tab. Replacing it is difficult and likely costly other wise. Car is a 2005 so I'm amazed it lasted this long lol. Good luck ya'll.
The cable actually digs into the piece of wood slightly which then holds it in place permanently. Don't use anything metal or anything that won't allow the cable to seat itself or it could fall out
good exmplanations thanks for sharing, are the door latches the same in all versions? I have Mini One I 2004 90km, not sure whether I can buy the one for r56 or cooper, thank you for help
Worked a treat for me thanks for posting. but does anyone know how to fix central locking issue where it will lock but not unlock? Looks like the mechanism to lift the latch isn't working.
Has anyone tried this for Mini doors that only have this problem when it's cold? My door works fine, unless it gets cold. I'm probably going to have to try this trick, since I've taken it to the dealership twice for this problem and they haven't been able to fix it. They can't do an internet search and find this video, I guess? However, I'm concerned that the cable might contract when it's warmer and crush/damage the white plastic holder thing that you put the piece of wood into. Also, would anyone happen to know the diameter of the hole the piece of wood fits into?
It doesn't work! Have anyone another solution?? I don't want to open the door from outside with the help of opening the window .. i have tried out anything. Can anyone help me ?
Great fix, thanks for the idea, it resolved my issue! Instead of a piece of wood I used a small zip tie, the benefit there is the head of the tie fits into the hole where the cable end belongs and it won't fall out. Satisfying to be able to open the door properly!
does it really work?
@@kustom45k It does.
Last night I stopped to get gas in my Cooper and my door won't open. Had to roll the window down and use the outside door handle. Found your video and quick fix this morning and it works great! Thank you.
I have fixed the door handle 3x with felt tape as the manufacturer suggested. The 3rd time I did it, it didn’t even work when I put the door panel back together. Can’t wait to try this and see how it works thanks for posting it
This is a brilliant solution. Even with Brian's video, where he's removing the entire cable mechanism from the door, it wasn't clear to me how to remove the cable barrel end from the latch clip. In the end, I just yanked up on the cable to clear it from the latch clip. Then I positioned the barrel terminator as you suggest and stretched the cable to reinsert it in the latch clip. To support the plastic barrel clip holder from deforming, I used a short machine screw. It should last at least for a while. If it it eventually fails, dealer repair likely will be needed but that was my alternative now anyway. Thanks for posting!
Absolutely spot on. Great explanation and it worked a treat. I also took opportunity to lubricate the door lock mechanism as it was getting stiff. - Probably why the cable stretched. Thank you so much.
Just want to say, I ordered a new latch from bmw before I saw your post, I did your fix and it worked perfectly, quickly called up bmw and cancelled my order (was gonna cost me 300+ for the latch and cable)
Thank you
It's working!!! Million thanks from Hungary!
I had this issue and realized it was caused not by a stretching cable, but by a broken clip inside the door. This clip held the cable we see in the video, but inside the door, on the left side. Without it, there was low tension. Fix: remove faulty clip, pass ziptie through the hole and use a washer to secure it in place.
Thanks mate, just fixed my daughters driver door. Dodgy cars salesman told us it was a "standard feature" with mini that they open on the second pull. What a tosser.
Actually he was right. First pull should unlock, second pull should open door. It's in the manual. On mine, first pull doesn't unlock, so second pull won't open door. I might have a bad cable.
Yeah… he was right. Same with BMW’s. 2 pulls. 1 unlocks, 2 opens 👍
BLOODY GENIUS!!! Thank you for the great idea. Just saved me from a garage bill and now my car will pass it's MOT! I just glued a Dowling in and it worked a treat!!
Good fix and it works! . I used a pair of wire cuter and nibbled open the side of the plactic housing right were that lead cable end goes, just enough to expose the hole. I found a blue male fork wire end connecter fits perfectly into the hole. ( opposite side shown in this veido), I bent, not cut! off the metal tip at a 90° and wigged it in that hole with the metal tip facing into the hoseing. Worked perfact and last longer as that wood will deteriorate but yet a great idea as well.! Fyi.. that cable stretched or the lock mechanism broke or bent the retaining tab. Replacing it is difficult and likely costly other wise. Car is a 2005 so I'm amazed it lasted this long lol. Good luck ya'll.
Thank you so much for this video. I'm not imagining my passengers being trapped in a blazing inferno now.
Brilliant. Thank you for sharing. Another MOT fail avoided.
Thanks for posting this video. Worked like a charm! Saved me time & money! I used two small nylon cable ties instead of a branch.
Alan E how did you attach them Alan
This really help me a lot today. Thanks for a quick and straightforward knowledge!!
Worked and saved me 200 euros!
Thanks for posting. I fixed my driver door using this video today...Can't imagine what BMW/MINI would have charged...
Thanks vm, worked for Mini Cooper 2006 as well. I have inserted a screwdriver torx bit, that just fit perfectly :) inside door handle works again....
Thanks a lot, this really worked out. I just fixed my driver door and saved a big penny.
The cable actually digs into the piece of wood slightly which then holds it in place permanently.
Don't use anything metal or anything that won't allow the cable to seat itself or it could fall out
This worked brilliantly. Thanks so much for sharing!
Brilliant! Worked great! Thanks!
Thank you for this. Worked a treat.
good exmplanations thanks for sharing, are the door latches the same in all versions? I have Mini One I 2004 90km, not sure whether I can buy the one for r56 or cooper, thank you for help
Yes they are the same, just did this to my 2005 and it worked perfectly
The cable is only like 30$ and easy to do yourself however clever trick. Hopefully stays in for awhile..
Thank you I will try to buy one instead of doing this
This worked!!!! Thank you
Worked for me too. Thank you.
FabzRustRider thank you 💯
Great idea thank you !!
Worked a treat for me thanks for posting. but does anyone know how to fix central locking issue where it will lock but not unlock? Looks like the mechanism to lift the latch isn't working.
perfect, thanks !
Thanks for sharing
That works mate thanks !!;)
Has anyone tried this for Mini doors that only have this problem when it's cold? My door works fine, unless it gets cold. I'm probably going to have to try this trick, since I've taken it to the dealership twice for this problem and they haven't been able to fix it. They can't do an internet search and find this video, I guess? However, I'm concerned that the cable might contract when it's warmer and crush/damage the white plastic holder thing that you put the piece of wood into. Also, would anyone happen to know the diameter of the hole the piece of wood fits into?
NICE!!!
Franchement merci je viens de le faire ca fonctionne nickel merci encore
I should have twigged it myself.
WHAT IS BRIAN MOBIL ONE ? WHER CAN I FIND HOW TO REPLACE THE CABLE?
ua-cam.com/video/N9H33ad1UcA/v-deo.html
It doesn't work! Have anyone another solution?? I don't want to open the door from outside with the help of opening the window .. i have tried out anything.
Can anyone help me ?
Hi I just tried this and it didn't work the cable is now too long and it pushing into the housing
I have the same problem.. What did you do?
@@clarasuricate8659 I ended up having to buy a new cable
@@deborahblackmore5688 was it easy to change it yourself?
@@clarasuricate8659 no as I have a trapped nerve in my right shoulder I had to pay a garage to fit it for me
I can't believe how shitty design mini cooper's are, literally not designed to be worked on, unlike...every toyota, ever
I cant believe this actually worked...