B4/97 Passat...Door handle issues....won\'t open
Can't perform search...Drivers side door will not open from the outside. It opens from the inside fine. The latch or catch from the outside is not engaging far enough to enable it to open. What has to be done to fix this. Last time I had issues, I lubricated the hell outta it and it worked fine. This time, no go. I guess the question is how do I fix it and if necessary to pull interior door panel, how does it come off. Tried this A.M. before work and the top will not let go, felt like something might break so I quit.
Thanks in advance for any and all assistance,
Luke
oh joy, door lock problems. I've had my share of them.
To remove the door panel -- remove six screws on the seam of the door, 3 on the handle side, and 3 near the hinge side, pry off the plastic handle cover from the bottom of inside pull handle. The handle will have the window switch wiring and power mirror wiring in there -- be gentle of course...
There are two #3 philips screws, somewhat deeply recessed. Seems obvious, but at this point, you should have eight screws in total, six black ones, and two large gold screws.
Remove the black triangle plastic peice, top of the panel, closest to the windshield. It's almost impossible to remove this peice without damaging it. Usually end up breaking the plastic clips that hold it in behind it. Be prepared to buy a new one. I've only once removed it without damaging one... RB manual gives a procedure to remove it properly, but good luck.
Pull off the panel now, starting slowly, gently from the bottom then each of the sides. The top will be pain to remove, without forcing it too hard. Be firm, but and pull from each side, eventually it will give. I must emphasize to go SLOW, or you will/can rip your panel. I don't how much a new panel costs, but I bet it's a LOT!
The door handle is probably ~$100, my passenger door handle was $110 CAN, cuz of the damn electronics tied into it. Typical VW made the part integrated with the PCB -- so you have to buy the entire unit.
Remove the big screw on the door seam nearest the door handle. Handle should be free, push it forward and pop it out, wire will be attached somewhere. When you install the new one, make sure the window is rolled up. (ask me why I know this....)
From what I recall the left side door handles use normal threaded screws (righty tighty, left loosey) DON'T quote me on that. I do know that the right side door handles use the OPPOSITE thread. (ask me how I found out!)
The last thing is removing the lock cylinder from the old handle to the new one -- my parts guy did it for me. Be careful you don't lose the circular spring -- it can fly off... (small, could be lost easily)
Hope that helps.
Richard