Body - Outside Door Handles Inoperative/Frozen

Body - Outside Door Handles Inoperative/Frozen

SI M 51 02 04

Body Equipment

January 2005

Technical Service

SUBJECT

Outer Door Handles Freeze

MODEL

R50 (MINI Cooper) and R53 (MINI Cooper S)

SITUATION

Customers may complain of one or both outer door releases failing to operate in freezing weather. This usually occurs afier a period of heavy rain

followed by a sudden, hard freeze.

CAUSE

Water may enter inside the bowden cable connecting the outer door handle to the latch assembly. If the temperature drops below freezing before the

water dries out, the water may freeze - preventing movement of the inner cable.

CORRECTION

The outer door handles were improved in April 2002-2006. Please see the illustrations below on how to recognize the improved outer door handles.

PROCEDURE

In the event of a customer complaint, replace both lefi and right outer door handles with the improved parts by following the Repair Instruction 51

2002-2006 Mini Cooper (R50) L4-1.6L (W10) Page 155

21 170.

PARTS INFORMATION

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Covered under the terms of the MINI New Vehicle Limited Warranty.