Urgent Door Lock Help Needed

@all,

I just replaced the door lock (driver's side) on my Passat 3B, manufactured in December 1998, because the microswitch was defective.

The new lock from RAR is supposed to be almost brand new.

Everything is reinstalled. All the control cables are connected.

The door is closed AND IT WON'T OPEN ANYMORE!!!!!

What could that be?

Ich kann innen ziehen und aussen am Türgriff ziehen. Nothing is happening.

And that's on the driver's side door!

Please help me with a tip.

Sure, no problem.

Greetings.
Peter.

Hi!
You probably installed one of the Bowden cables under tension. Is the door panel already reattached? If so, try to pry it up from the top of the door frame with the window open and detach the inner Bowden cable from the latch. Disconnect the Bowden cable from the outside handle using a thin screwdriver. Then, close the door and, if necessary, gently but firmly tap the door handle 2-3 times with your fist (be careful, as the door panel could bend if you hit it too hard). The spring should now be relaxed. Unlock the door again (with the key or remote - it doesn't matter) and try to open it using the inner Bowden cable. (Alternatively, use a 2-3 mm welding hook to insert it into the outer Bowden cable while pulling the door handle, between the handle and the lock cylinder).
Good luck with your tinkering.

Note: After installing the door lock, do not close the door, but only engage the latch in the lock. Then, perform a complete function test (locking and unlocking, opening and closing from the inside and outside). Advantage: if it doesn't work, you can easily remove it again.

@Blechghost,

If I understand correctly, was that your first post?

I was really lucky there, almost like having six correct numbers in the lottery .

You are my good spirit and you saved my weekend .

It was actually the small Bowden cable connecting the handle to the lock. The plastic part was incorrectly attached to the lock mechanism. This put the cable under tension.

After I knew from you where I needed to look, it was very quick. Thank you very much.

Great that this forum exists.

That was quite a scare. The door was locked and wouldn't open .

Of course, you should check that beforehand on the unlocked lock.

How do you know that so precisely? Have you experienced it yourself, or are you an expert in the field?

Greetings.
Peter.

@ Perly

I've been dealing with door locks for VW Golf 4, Passat 3B, Lupo, etc. since 1998.
I am a qualified professional in the bodywork department of Volkswagen.
I just bought a TDI myself and stumbled upon this forum by chance. It's great.
I'm glad it helped you.

Thank you, the tip about bending the upper inner edge of the door panel was exactly what I needed to solve my problem!
After replacing a microswitch on the driver's side door lock, I initially had no problems for two days. However, suddenly, the door could no longer be opened from either the inside or the outside, even though the depressed door latch pin moved completely upwards when the interior door opener was activated (so I didn't suspect a problem with the cable).
Upon inspecting the cable mechanism through the misaligned door panel, it became apparent that I had accidentally broken the plastic guide used to secure the cable housing during installation. This caused the cable to become slightly jammed and put it under tension. After releasing the tension, the lock then opened smoothly with the first pull!
So that you don't experience the same problems I did, please pay close attention during installation to ensure that the door panel is not moved excessively after inserting the cable housing into the plastic guide (ideally, clip it securely to the door immediately).
I'll probably try fixing it temporarily with a strong piece of tape before I replace the entire cable assembly.
If the problem happens again, I now know what I need to do.

Quote:

I am a qualified professional (VW, body department).

Well then -- welcome to the club .