Golf - door unlocking problem
Discussion
Hi, slight problem.. my drivers side rear door is refusing to unlock, i've done some 'testing' and found the following using the other side as a guide.
I believe it is not unlocking;
the drivers side rear door at all times both inside and out the handle(s) do not feel like they are operating anything, i'd say the door is deadlocked.
on the passenger side if i lock the car from the drivers door and operate from the inside there is a click within the last few mm of travel as the door unlocks - this is not apparent on the drivers side
if i lock the car using the remote and operate from the inside the two handles feel the same (ie do nothing)
same from the outside when locked
when unlocked on the outside the working door you can feel the mechanism operate within the last few mm of travel.
with the child lock on, the working side feels as though it's not connected when the central locking is unlocked
lastly, if i listen to the working door when i unlock the car i can hear a single click as it unlocks - however on the non opening side i hear it click twice with about a second in between.
Few questions: does anyone know what is likely to have failed, is it a part or more likely just an adjustment?
if it is the door stuck in the 'locked' position how can i get it to open without damaging it
anyone had this happen and fixed at a vw dealer - looking for rough sort of costs.
Thanks in advance
I believe it is not unlocking;
the drivers side rear door at all times both inside and out the handle(s) do not feel like they are operating anything, i'd say the door is deadlocked.
on the passenger side if i lock the car from the drivers door and operate from the inside there is a click within the last few mm of travel as the door unlocks - this is not apparent on the drivers side
if i lock the car using the remote and operate from the inside the two handles feel the same (ie do nothing)
same from the outside when locked
when unlocked on the outside the working door you can feel the mechanism operate within the last few mm of travel.
with the child lock on, the working side feels as though it's not connected when the central locking is unlocked
lastly, if i listen to the working door when i unlock the car i can hear a single click as it unlocks - however on the non opening side i hear it click twice with about a second in between.
Few questions: does anyone know what is likely to have failed, is it a part or more likely just an adjustment?
if it is the door stuck in the 'locked' position how can i get it to open without damaging it
anyone had this happen and fixed at a vw dealer - looking for rough sort of costs.
Thanks in advance

Emeye said:
omg!!! that is basically a video of how to break into a golf!chr15b said:
Emeye said:
omg!!! that is basically a video of how to break into a golf!You could try giving the lock a thump! Read this:
http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1...
You may be able to get the door open, but it will probably need a new lock mechanism. A method i use is to press the lock/unlock button on the drivers door repeatedly while actuating said handle (internal) on the faulty door. This has a 50% success rate for me. The other times i have to remove the door skin bolts on the front edge and break into it by releasing the deadlock which is inside the lock mechanism covered by plastic (anti-theft), which frankly is a bit of a rubbish job. If you don't have the replacement lock anyway it's pointless doing it, as when you close the door again to take it to the dealer's, they will have to break in again! As a rough cost, i would quote 1.5 - 2 hour's plus parts around £70 i think. Good luck.
It could just be the cable from the handle to the lock needs adjusting.
pull the outer handle (like in the youtube clip) and there is a small plastic lug in the back (where he puts the pick tool) unclip the lug and let it in a notch. Lock the car, unlock and try the handle.
It's worth a try.
pull the outer handle (like in the youtube clip) and there is a small plastic lug in the back (where he puts the pick tool) unclip the lug and let it in a notch. Lock the car, unlock and try the handle.
It's worth a try.
once u have the door open, take the lock out - little plastic cover on the inside of the door, take that off, and use a Torx 15 (could be 25) bit, unscrew this a fair bit, pull the handle open and slide the lock out, once you get it out see if theres any damage to the little paddle.
if there is no damage to the paddle, put your key in it, turn it and see if it turns the paddle when you turn the key.
if the paddle turns then theres a problem with you mechanism.
if there is no damage to the paddle, put your key in it, turn it and see if it turns the paddle when you turn the key.
if the paddle turns then theres a problem with you mechanism.
Don't know if this helps, but had the same happen on a 2006 Audi A6, luckily it was still under guarantee.
According to the garage it was a known/regular problem with Audis.
They had to completely destroy the door card to get inside the door, then dismantle and replace the locks to get the door open.
As it was a warranty job I didn't have to pay (or even see the bill), but the garage told me they had 2 men working on it for 2 days.
According to the garage it was a known/regular problem with Audis.
They had to completely destroy the door card to get inside the door, then dismantle and replace the locks to get the door open.
As it was a warranty job I didn't have to pay (or even see the bill), but the garage told me they had 2 men working on it for 2 days.
Hi there, sorry I know this is a bit late - but I seem to be experiencing a similar problem with my 1998 VW Golf.
When I bought the car - earlier this year - one of the doors had a locking problem. It was locked shut - and would not open with the central locking, with the key, or by being opened with the door handle on the inside. We took it to a mechanic who said the door-lock mechanism needed to be replaced. We had it replaced with a second-hand part.
6 months later (of VERY light use - usually only me in the car- and it's the front passenger door) - the same door lock busted in the same way. A week later one of the rear doors did the same thing. We took it to the same mechanic - who explained it as 'just one of those things that happen' - so at great expense we replaced the two door lock mechanisms again. He also adjusted the locks, moving some part back that would apparently reduce the impact when doors are shut - apparently this is caused by people slamming the doors, breaking the plastic latches.
Now, another month later and ANOTHER door has done the same thing- despite me being VERY careful when shutting the doors and very light use.
So, I'm just wondering if any of you know if this is a common problem with VW Golfs, or is there a greater problem going on? I'm very naive about these things, so I'm hoping someone can give me some unbiased advice- just to make sure I'm not being taken for a ride. The fact that this has happened to four doors is really starting to worry me - and is really hitting me in the wallet.
Thanks very much in advance for anything you might be able to tell me.
When I bought the car - earlier this year - one of the doors had a locking problem. It was locked shut - and would not open with the central locking, with the key, or by being opened with the door handle on the inside. We took it to a mechanic who said the door-lock mechanism needed to be replaced. We had it replaced with a second-hand part.
6 months later (of VERY light use - usually only me in the car- and it's the front passenger door) - the same door lock busted in the same way. A week later one of the rear doors did the same thing. We took it to the same mechanic - who explained it as 'just one of those things that happen' - so at great expense we replaced the two door lock mechanisms again. He also adjusted the locks, moving some part back that would apparently reduce the impact when doors are shut - apparently this is caused by people slamming the doors, breaking the plastic latches.
Now, another month later and ANOTHER door has done the same thing- despite me being VERY careful when shutting the doors and very light use.
So, I'm just wondering if any of you know if this is a common problem with VW Golfs, or is there a greater problem going on? I'm very naive about these things, so I'm hoping someone can give me some unbiased advice- just to make sure I'm not being taken for a ride. The fact that this has happened to four doors is really starting to worry me - and is really hitting me in the wallet.
Thanks very much in advance for anything you might be able to tell me.
Does that trick in the video actually work? Both my rear doors are deadlocked now and so too are the front doors not working properly.
I have no faith in garages esp as I had one side "fixed" by a VW garage a few years ago when one side deadlocked (@ great expense - charges for cutting the handle off, matching the paint etc and ridiculous charges for labour). Then when the other side went the same way i took it in for a diagnostics check to see if it was the locks or the central locking system. Only to be quoted £900 to fix the problem and them claiming it was the locks. Well if it is the locks the one they fixed it with must have been faulty too. Bunch of lying morons!
I have no faith in garages esp as I had one side "fixed" by a VW garage a few years ago when one side deadlocked (@ great expense - charges for cutting the handle off, matching the paint etc and ridiculous charges for labour). Then when the other side went the same way i took it in for a diagnostics check to see if it was the locks or the central locking system. Only to be quoted £900 to fix the problem and them claiming it was the locks. Well if it is the locks the one they fixed it with must have been faulty too. Bunch of lying morons!
Hi you've properly now sorted the issue, my wife's car has the same problem, was told by VW dealer to give a solid bang 2 inch below the handle, hey preto door opened no problem squirted WD40 in and problem has not returned. This was on drivers door and could not be opened from inside or out. VW said its a door latch problem
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