coolin, sounds like the bar between the outside handle and the latch mechanism is broken. THat or the outside door handle is having issues. Unfortunately, the only way to figure out your problem is to pull off the door panel and then look at what is going on. From there the answer will be pretty self evident.

 

I had this problem once. If you push on the door just above the handle, you may hear a "click" that re-engages the latch. Then the handle may work. If not, looks like you are taking the panel off and seeing what's come unattached. perhaps the plastic clip others have had issues with.

 

I had this same problem. Had to leave my window down to open the door. Expensive fix for me since I pulled on the outside handle too hard and broke it. It ended up being something simple. My buddy that works at the dealer said it's a common problem for x-types. All I had to do was lube up the locking mechanism or latch on the door. It tends to get stuck sometimes. I lubed it up and works like a charm. Shuts more smoothly too. I used white lithium grease instead of WD40 since it lasts longer.

 

Ive heard that this is a common problem too. Mine has started doing the same thing sometimes. Stiffler, exactly how did you lube up the locking mechanism. Did you just spray into the lock or did you have to disassemble something?

 

Guys, as posted, a common problem, especially on the older x types.
Check out the X type FAQ quick link as it should be fairly well documented.
There is also a how to for removal ( with pics ) for the door card

 

I didn't have to disassemble anything. Just spray into the latch. (not where you put the key in obviously)

 

My door won't open from the inside but opens from the outside the door panel from the inside has come away too any answers

 

Yep i had this on the drivers door just last week. If i pushed the door in (when already closed) i would hear a click and it would sometimes open. Secondly i found that their is a button under the handle that when pushed also released the door, but this was still ongoing until i used WD40 lube spray on the door latches and now it works perfectly.

Hope you have the same joy as otherwise its a trip to the body shop to have the door taken apart.

 

Same issue here when I bought mine, both front doors wouldn't open as the temperature rose during the day.

Sprayed silicone lubricant (at night, when the temp was lower and I could open the doors) on the door latches (not handle related, but where the door actually latches closed), and now both doors open perfectly every time.

 

I had this issue a few years back on my 2003 2.1. Despite lubrication and spraying stuff, it wouldn't work so I took the door card off and adjusted the bar that goes from the handle to the lock inside the door. it took a bit of faffing around but in the end it worked

 

Daughter's 04 xtype had this, turns out she'd broken the tang on the inside of the outside door handle, only way to get one was to buy a whole new handle, found one on car-parts.com. Take inside door panel off (2 low screws, 1 screw by hand grab), and pry panel off, remove speaker wire, and wire to latch (high middle). Set panel aside. With window up, peel back layer of foam and look toward the rear of the door, you'll see a whitish clip with a long rod going up. It COULD be that the rod's threads have pulled out of the clip. Replace the clip. If the rod is dangling free and is loose up high, it's probably the tang broken. To fix this, you have to remove the 2 screws holding the window clamps (lower window first a bit), remove window out upward, then, find the screws in the inside door pillar and remove them to slide that pillar aside, now find the little plastic/rubber plug top rear of door and remove, and you can see the screws holding the door handle. Remove both and now the handle can be removed to the outside. Reverse to reinstall.

 

Hi guys & girls . I have the same problem with the front passenger door not opening . It started as soon as I fitted a new battery. I have tried spaying under the handle with oil. Some times it will open but most of the time it will not. Any ideas ? Thanks

 

I've just fixed the same problem on my 05 X Type today. There is a rod from the handle to the lock, which is clamped to the lock by a plastic clip. This rid had slid down a little due to wear on the clip. Fortunately, the rod is threaded, so you can screw on a 5mm nut just above the clip, which will stop it sliding down into the clip ever again.
It's a bit of a devil to get to, but easily a DIY job.

 

This is the easy bit.
If no one has been in there before with oils (wd40 or grease) - use powdered graphite. This is sold as lock lubricant. It's dry - and so doesn't attract muck that then gums everything up. There is a little hole in the back of the latch in the end of the door - it's just the right size for the nozzle to go into. A couple of big puffs. Slam the door a few times to distribute it and operate the lock a few times (with whatever release is working) and that should sort it.
If they (anyone over the last 10 years) have been in there with WD40 or similar before, the powdered graphite may not work, and you may have to resort to WD40 or other oils.

You should ALWAYS use powdered graphite on locks (at least before resorting to oils that will cause long term problems give it a try anyway).

The giveaway on my car was that both front doors stopped working when we had a sudden cold snap - highly inconvenient but very indicative of a lubrication issue.