HELP! Locks jamming on 97 740i

[harryP]

Is there any way to get the door panels off when you can't open then door?

[harryP]

some how i have to get to the lock mechanism but not sure how. Any ideas?

[libertylover]

Taking the door trim off to get to the lock mechanisms but it's a little hard to describe. I've removed the door trim of other cars but I haven't done it on this car.

Door panels are held in place with a combination of screws and special plastic fasteners that just push into a mating hole. Go slowly and don't use excessive force.

Look carefully for any screws that you can find on the panel and remove them. One probable place: At the top of the handle used to close the door there may be a small access trim piece, say 1 inch square. Pry that up with a small screwdriver and there should be a good-sized screw underneath to remove. Normally, there are 2-3 more screws on the bottom side of the armrest as well and these may be hidden by some sort of trim piece that pries off to gain access.

Door lock and window buttons are usually on a panel that can be pried up carefully. To remove the panel you'll need to disconnect their electrical connectors or let them slip back through their own hole and allow them to dangle.

Mostly the panel is held in place by the special plastic fasteners (which are available at auto parts stores in case you break one). They sort of look like this: [[-->>>. If you push this into a hole on the right it will go in easily but come out harder due to the ">>>" shape at the end. However, they're made of plastic and they WILL come out, though stubbornly at times.

Once the door trim is off, most cars have a plastic moisture barrier that is glued into position and this will have to be peeled off as well. Try not to tear it. The glue is kind of messy but usually reusable when you put the barrier back on after your repairs.

At this point you should be able to see the locking mechanisms and figure out what's wrong. Even after removing the door trim, access may be difficult (just how dexterous are your fingers?). Hope this helps. Good luck!

I found a link on the www.roadfly.org forum and so I'm editing this post. I don't know if this will help or not but here it is:
http://evansweb.info/article.php?sto...30118211916675

[harryP]

Thanks, much appreciated