Repair Mini Cooper Electric Door Lock Actuator / Locking Mechanism

This instructiable details how to repair a Mini cooper door lock actuator. I did this to my 2003 mini cooper s. I was sick of reading about the countless number of people who have been forced to replace this poorly designed component with a new one ($130) because BMW made them "non-serviceable". This unit IS SERVICEABLE - if you are clever enough ;)

I would also like to thank the guys over @ NAM (northamericanmotoring.com).

~enjoy

Step 1: Are you sure you have a broken unit?

Confirm that  in fact you do have a bad door lock actuator. Check [1] fuses [2] other door locks functionality [3] wiring harness.

get your tools ready. I used torx, flat head screw drivers, pin, acetone, multimeter, DC-power supply.

Comments

[mgkadijk]

Thanks for the post. I followed your instructions and repaired my 2004 Mini Cooper door lock actuator. I would just say that it is important to note the position of the gears and motors as you are disassembling. I didn't and had to take it apart a second time after it didn't function after the first test. When you are actuating those little motors up and down, you can get lost as to which way it should be.

It has been at least 2 months since I repaired mine, and it is still functioning.

[MolecularSandwich]

It has been about a month and everything is still working well!

[oakback]

Nice! My rear door lock actuators on my Mazda 5 are all but dead, but I was dreading taking them apart. I'm sure all door lock actuators have a lot in common, so I'm sure this will be helpful when I decide to tackle it.

Where is a good place to buy the little motors, if necessary?

[MolecularSandwich]

Its been my (limited) experience that generally you can repair most electric motors. As for a replacement - I woudl look to source a motor from another actuator - it is very tight in those cases and hacking one to fit would not be easy. Good luck!