Vw Golf driver door won't open, other doors open

chris_john_lane

I'm having problems with the driver door on my Volkswagen Golf. When I use the fob or key to open the car all the doors open except the drivers door. When I lock the car all the doors lock and the drivers door stays locked. At first the drivers door would open sometimes but now it's locked all the time.

dodzy

Sit in the car, lock it with the fob, then unlock with fob. Does it open from the inside ? If yes, then my money's on the central locking unit in the affected door. I've identical problem on rear driver's side door. Same symptoms. Wont open on exterior handle after fob unlock but fine from inside. Definitely a fault in the CL unit. Audi wanted €180. Ebay came good for €40. Not too difficult to replace.

chris_john_lane

dodzy wrote: »

Sit in the car, lock it with the fob, then unlock with fob. Does it open from the inside ? If yes, then my money's on the central locking unit in the affected door. I've identical problem on rear driver's side door. Same symptoms. Wont open on exterior handle after fob unlock but fine from inside. Definitely a fault in the CL unit. Audi wanted €180. Ebay came good for €40. Not too difficult to replace.

It won't open on inside either, doesn't matter what I do. At first it would open if I held the handle on inside and pressed the fob while doing so, now it won't open at all. At the start it would open some days but then lock again for a few days.

dodzy

chris_john_lane wrote: »

It won't open on inside either, doesn't matter what I do. At first it would open if I held the handle on inside and pressed the fob while doing so, now it won't open at all. At the start it would open some days but then lock again for a few days.

Oh bugger. So you're having to get in / out the passenger door every time ? Jasus, thats torture. My moneys still on the CL mechanism. Must have completely failed. Unfortunately, it is a bitch to work on if you cannot open the door. Removing the door card is the first thing that you need to do, and obviously, the door really needs to be open for this ! What year / model is the car ?


http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?13433-door-wont-open-Mk4-golf

chris_john_lane

dodzy wrote: »

Oh bugger. So you're having to get in / out the passenger door every time ? Jasus, thats torture. My moneys still on the CL mechanism. Must have completely failed. Unfortunately, it is a bitch to work on if you cannot open the door. Removing the door card is the first thing that you need to do, and obviously, the door really needs to be open for this ! What year / model is the car ?

Yes it's embarrassing!!! It's an old golf, 1998, mk4, 1.6 litre. I've been waiting to see if it'll open again then take it straight to garage so it's easier to fix. Car is in great condition otherwise so it would be worth fixing

chris_john_lane

Brought to a garage, I've been told lock needs to be replaced and he'll have to break some of the panel inside to get in at the lock

dodzy

chris_john_lane wrote: »

Brought to a garage, I've been told lock needs to be replaced and he'll have to break some of the panel inside to get in at the lock

You'll pick up a door card from a breakers. The lock fix is a priority IMO.

chris_john_lane

dodzy wrote: »

You'll pick up a door card from a breakers. The lock fix is a priority IMO.

So what exactly do I need to ask for when buying the lock?!

Chimaera

chris_john_lane wrote: »

So what exactly do I need to ask for when buying the lock?!

From my reply to your other thread about this (it's a really bad idea to open multiple threads on the same topic BTW):

Most likely this is cracked solder joints within the lock's electronic module. Common problem on VWs of this era. Fix is simple enough provided you can open the door: pop out the lock module and reflow the solder joints.

If you can get the door card off, you may be able to jolt the lock enough to get contact on the solder joints and unlock it. If you can't unlock it, you're going to have a hell of a time getting the door open.

Chimaera

A secondhand lock from a breakers would be fine, but you'll need to reflow the solder joints in it before fitting it or you'll end up with the same problem. I'd also recommend reflowing the joints in the locks in the other three doors while you can still open them.

jonny_b

Hi lads. Sorry to drag up an old thread. I'm having a similar problem on a mk 5 passenger door. I hear the door trying to open but fails on the first few attempts to unlock it. I have to push hard against the door to get it to unlock. I'm assuming the lock may be out of alignment? Any ideas on how to sort this on the cheap without too much hassle?