Sticky Door Handle

ChuckD05 · 01-10-2011, 12:26 AM

For my lifetime of ownership my passenger exterior door handle sticks open... Got the car with 32k a year ago, has 43k now... 06 325xi e90. So if a passenger who does not know about this gets in , and doesnt push the exterior door handle closed, the passenger door will not shut ...

Is this common ? The rear driver side door does this as well but not nearly as easily or as frequently...

Any quick fixes for this... Lubricating it is a temporary fix and is getting old.. Any chance BMW will take care of this under a good will fix under just a CPO...

I was thinking about contacting BMWNA because this seems like a manufacturers defect more than a routine maintenance or simply just a part breaking over time...

any info is appreciated... thanks!

Tzu · 01-10-2011, 01:45 AM

Does the handle spring back? If not, it may be a restoring spring issue in the handle.

If it does, then the restoring spring in the latch is probably defective, or done. This happened on my cheaper cars in the cold as the gunk would freeze up. Squirt some penetrating oil in there and it should restore.

ChuckD05 · 01-10-2011, 02:25 AM

Tzy the door handle does not spring back... it just stays open...

Its been the case since we purchased the car... when we first purchased it they told us they would fix it , which their fix was spraying some lubricant because it was better but when you fully pulled it open, it still got stuck... Resorted back to staying open almost every time you open the handle.

csupernova · 01-10-2011, 12:01 PM

i got mine fixed under warranty a yr or 2 ago. My dealership changed all 4 door handles. It is a common problem on E90.

ddogg35 · 01-10-2011, 01:55 PM

it happen on my rear offside handle
all i did was spray some wd40 on the mechanism and its been fine ever since

BKV122 · 01-10-2011, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddogg35

all i did was spray some wd40 on the mechanism and its been fine ever since

+1 with the wd40

Yea happened to my door handle too. I used all purpose grease and since then no problems (been about 2 yrs now) But wd40 should do the same just dont spray on your paint!

ChuckD05 · 01-10-2011, 09:33 PM

Yea, we used some spray grease today and it is working but this isnt the first time it happened... I guess i will keep a bottle laying around ....

krispeee · 01-11-2011, 12:00 PM

my handles on the e90 does the same thing. wd40 works.

cfreak · 01-11-2011, 04:51 PM

same here wd40 :P

P2 · 01-12-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckD05

For my lifetime of ownership my passenger exterior door handle sticks open... Got the car with 32k a year ago, has 43k now... 06 325xi e90. So if a passenger who does not know about this gets in , and doesnt push the exterior door handle closed, the passenger door will not shut ...

Is this common ? The rear driver side door does this as well but not nearly as easily or as frequently...

Any quick fixes for this... Lubricating it is a temporary fix and is getting old.. Any chance BMW will take care of this under a good will fix under just a CPO...

I was thinking about contacting BMWNA because this seems like a manufacturers defect more than a routine maintenance or simply just a part breaking over time...

any info is appreciated... thanks!

This TSB may help. P2

Chriztofor · 01-12-2011, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ddogg35

all i did was spray some wd40 on the mechanism and its been fine ever since

+2

ChuckD05 · 01-12-2011, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P2

This TSB may help. P2

It upsets me that these TSB's only are covered under new car warranty... I feel like BMW should of went over these things and fixed them before it was CPO'd

Door handle and cupholder both act up... Both TSBs and in both instances I am out of luck...

P2 · 01-13-2011, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckD05

It upsets me that these TSB's only are covered under new car warranty... I feel like BMW should of went over these things and fixed them before it was CPO'd

Door handle and cupholder both act up... Both TSBs and in both instances I am out of luck...

Is that what they tell you? Maybe try the service manager directly. I have had some luck when I present a reasonable argument. Tell him or her that you think these two TSB's apply and they may help out. If if you are like me, it's a bit painful, but I always suck it up because its worth a try. I have rarely been turned away. If you are not like me, and it's not painful, well find some more stuff before you go

PTinVT · 02-02-2013, 12:38 PM

Thread revival - newest one I could find on the subject. My 07 E92 (build 10/06) driver door sometimes sticks in the out position, but of course it didn't start doing it until after the warranty expired. My passenger door rarely gets used, so no problems on that side. Looks like I'll be trying WD40.

Meeni · 05-16-2013, 03:01 AM

I had moderate success with graphite powder. It solved the least problematic handles, but one still gets stuck when pulling it all the way (it does have spring back, it just grinds).

mrbillytalent · 05-16-2013, 08:13 AM

Me e46 and e90 does this. Seems to just be a weakness in their door handle design. I'll be giving the wd40 a try though.

tigermack · 02-12-2014, 04:20 AM

What do I pop off to get the wd40 in there?

BKV122 · 02-12-2014, 02:33 PM

nothing, just pull handle open and spray

401FlaGATOR · 12-10-2017, 08:07 PM

I have this recently on 2 doors I think I am going to try some bicycle chain lubricant called tri-flow. It has PTFE.

AUDELA · 11-12-2020, 11:11 AM

I know this is an old thread but my 2007 325i E93 has same issue. I sprayed a bit of Wurth HHS-K, which is apparently what BMW dealership technicians use to lubricate the E93 top. HHS-K penetrates well and has excellent adhering properties.

For those who used WD-40 and it didn't last, might be worth trying the above. With that said, I just sprayed mine so will update if it indeed lasts.

01-10-2011, 12:26 AM	#1
ChuckD05 NeedsMoarBoost 44 Rep 527 Posts Drives: 08 135i / 06 e90 325xi Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i Mtech [10.00] 2006 BMW 325xi e90 [10.00] 2008 BMW 135i M-Sport [7.80]	Sticky Door Handle - gets stuck open For my lifetime of ownership my passenger exterior door handle sticks open... Got the car with 32k a year ago, has 43k now... 06 325xi e90. So if a passenger who does not know about this gets in , and doesnt push the exterior door handle closed, the passenger door will not shut ... Is this common ? The rear driver side door does this as well but not nearly as easily or as frequently... Any quick fixes for this... Lubricating it is a temporary fix and is getting old.. Any chance BMW will take care of this under a good will fix under just a CPO... I was thinking about contacting BMWNA because this seems like a manufacturers defect more than a routine maintenance or simply just a part breaking over time... any info is appreciated... thanks!
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01-10-2011, 01:45 AM	#2
Tzu Lieutenant Colonel 29 Rep 1,551 Posts Drives: 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1)	Does the handle spring back? If not, it may be a restoring spring issue in the handle. If it does, then the restoring spring in the latch is probably defective, or done. This happened on my cheaper cars in the cold as the gunk would freeze up. Squirt some penetrating oil in there and it should restore.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-10-2011, 02:25 AM	#3
ChuckD05 NeedsMoarBoost 44 Rep 527 Posts Drives: 08 135i / 06 e90 325xi Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i Mtech [10.00] 2006 BMW 325xi e90 [10.00] 2008 BMW 135i M-Sport [7.80]	Tzy the door handle does not spring back... it just stays open... Its been the case since we purchased the car... when we first purchased it they told us they would fix it , which their fix was spraying some lubricant because it was better but when you fully pulled it open, it still got stuck... Resorted back to staying open almost every time you open the handle.
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01-10-2011, 12:01 PM	#4
csupernova Captain 33 Rep 606 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (7)	i got mine fixed under warranty a yr or 2 ago. My dealership changed all 4 door handles. It is a common problem on E90.
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01-10-2011, 01:55 PM	#5
ddogg35 Lieutenant 6 Rep 569 Posts Drives: 318i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: North Yorkshire, UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 Triumph Dayton ... [0.00] 2006 BMW 318i [0.00]	it happen on my rear offside handle all i did was spray some wd40 on the mechanism and its been fine ever since __________________
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01-10-2011, 09:33 PM	#7
ChuckD05 NeedsMoarBoost 44 Rep 527 Posts Drives: 08 135i / 06 e90 325xi Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i Mtech [10.00] 2006 BMW 325xi e90 [10.00] 2008 BMW 135i M-Sport [7.80]	Yea, we used some spray grease today and it is working but this isnt the first time it happened... I guess i will keep a bottle laying around ....
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01-11-2011, 12:00 PM	#8
krispeee New Member 0 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW 325i Arctic Metalic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Signal Hill, CA iTrader: (1)	my handles on the e90 does the same thing. wd40 works.
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01-11-2011, 04:51 PM	#9
cfreak New Member 6 Rep 24 Posts Drives: 325i 2006 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	same here wd40 :P
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02-02-2013, 12:38 PM	#14
PTinVT armchair enthusiast 298 Rep 1,058 Posts Drives: 18 340xi, 02 325Cic, 93 850Ci Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Burlington, VT iTrader: (3)	Thread revival - newest one I could find on the subject. My 07 E92 (build 10/06) driver door sometimes sticks in the out position, but of course it didn't start doing it until after the warranty expired. My passenger door rarely gets used, so no problems on that side. Looks like I'll be trying WD40. __________________ '25 Z4 M40i 6MT Portimao/Cognac ON ORDER '18 340i xDrive M-Sport 6MT Estoril Blue 2/Dakota '02 325Ci vert+hardtop 5MT AlpineWhite/Montana '93 850Ci 4AT Oxford Green/Parchment '71 Buick Riviera, 455 V8 3AT Land Yacht
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05-16-2013, 03:01 AM	#15
Meeni Gateropode 332 Rep 2,846 Posts Drives: BMW 330i 06 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: TN iTrader: (0)	I had moderate success with graphite powder. It solved the least problematic handles, but one still gets stuck when pulling it all the way (it does have spring back, it just grinds).
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05-16-2013, 08:13 AM	#16
mrbillytalent Lieutenant 17 Rep 575 Posts Drives: '99 e46 323i & '07 e90 335i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Toledo OH iTrader: (1)	Me e46 and e90 does this. Seems to just be a weakness in their door handle design. I'll be giving the wd40 a try though.
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02-12-2014, 04:20 AM	#17
tigermack OPN DIFF 494 Rep 1,918 Posts Drives: 10' E90 M3 6MT LB Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pacific Ocean iTrader: (12) Garage List 2010 M3 [10.00] 1995 BMW e36 325i [8.26] 2006 BMW e90 330i [8.43]	What do I pop off to get the wd40 in there? __________________ '10 LB E90 slicktop/speed cloth/6MT ex. '06 330i 6MT & '10 n54 6MT Msport Autocross vids https://www.youtube.com/user/tigermack https://www.instagram.com/tigermack
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02-12-2014, 02:33 PM	#18
BKV122 Major 47 Rep 1,160 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 330xi [9.50]	nothing, just pull handle open and spray __________________ Monaco Blue 330xi - Terra Interior/6-MT/Sport/Premium/Cold/CSL's/M3 Spoiler Lip/Black Kidney's
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12-10-2017, 08:07 PM	#19
401FlaGATOR First Lieutenant 70 Rep 328 Posts Drives: E90 325i ZSP, F30 320i ZSP Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Pembroke Pines, FL iTrader: (0)	I have this recently on 2 doors I think I am going to try some bicycle chain lubricant called tri-flow. It has PTFE.
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11-12-2020, 11:11 AM	#20
AUDELA Private 2 Rep 65 Posts Drives: BMW 325i N53 3.0L (E93) 6MT Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I know this is an old thread but my 2007 325i E93 has same issue. I sprayed a bit of Wurth HHS-K, which is apparently what BMW dealership technicians use to lubricate the E93 top. HHS-K penetrates well and has excellent adhering properties. For those who used WD-40 and it didn't last, might be worth trying the above. With that said, I just sprayed mine so will update if it indeed lasts.
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