Rear Hatch on 01 Golf Won't Open ..Help

[Getriebe Guy]

The rear hatch on my 01 Golf doesn't open since mid-winter when it was really cold. Any help on how to troubleshoot/fix this would be appreciated.

 

[Getriebe Guy]

OK I searched the forum and it appears I need to break plastic interior panel and get at the latch which has some linkage that is likely broken??

 

[Nico3d3]

You're right, I think you may be able to remove the plastic interior panel without breaking it. You first need to remove both phillips screw holding it and then, maybe you can pry it out even if the door is closed. Once it's removed, you will see the door ketch at the botton. There's a metal lever which is normally pulled by a rod to unlock the door, but the rod is probably not connected anymore to the lever.

 

[Getriebe Guy]

Thanks for the reply. I'll try to do it tomorrow.