Originally Posted by
nirvana19
Yes.
I had the exact same problem. Took my car into a BMW shop with my the trim around my right rear door pulled off and my seat popped out for an inspection (I was going to finish opening the door later). Car failed inspection (not because of the door) and the guy wanted 3k to fix it (problems including lack of rear center seat belt, underneath the rear seat which was half off, wiper blades, one twisted brake hose, and a ball joint/thrust arm...oh and ps fluid was somewhat low (oops)). Anyway, guy said he would fix the door for about 100 bucks. Decided to save myself time and gave in. ******* charged 266 dollars of labor to fix the door and 90 for the failed inspection. And about 40 dollars in shop tools and parts (he didn't even replace the actuator, just pulled it out and plopped it on the floor so the door locks and unlocks manually).
So basically, you have to pull that door panel off and get the actuator off. Only way to do it.. I tried everything else. Its just a matter of pulling as much trim off around the door as you can and pushing and pulling and sticking something behind the door and prying off as many clips as possible until you can get the panel off. Then you just have to put it back together...