Anyone know abput older VW door handles?

Joined
17 Jul 2011
Messages
312
Reaction score
7
Location
North Kent
Country
United Kingdom
Theres 2 part to my question, first is does anyone know if a drivers door that wont open from outside is an MOT fail?

Second part is.......The drivers door handle wont open from the outside. It locks and works from inside though.
Its apparently common on VW's. Theres several videos on youtube saying its usually a case of taking the lock out and reconnecting the clip that holds a wire back into the side of the handle. But Ive just tried and theres no sign of a cable and the side of the handle is smooth with apparently nowhere to attach a cable.
So anyone got any ideas? The car is from 2008 so I presume thats why its different from the ones on utube.
Cheers
 
Last edited:
Sponsored Links
Tester may not notice, if you hold open the door for him :)
I was thinking how I used to sit in the car at my old place and do the lights and etc. Dont think they can miss it nowadays.

Little update. I took the passenger side handle off to compare, It seems where the handle side that goes next to the lock protrudes in and sits in a sort of pocket/cradle and that seems to have deteriorated. Problem is what is that called and where can you buy them..
 
Sponsored Links
@Harry Bloomfield Irrespective of whether it might be missed or not, it seems to me to be a pretty important 'feature' you'd not want to be without if the worst happens ....
 
@Harry Bloomfield Irrespective of whether it might be missed or not, it seems to me to be a pretty important 'feature' you'd not want to be without if the worst happens ....

If the 'worst happens', then his internal handle at least is working. I wouldn't suggest driving any car that you couldn't get out of in an emergency. Yes I do appreciate he might be unconscious in the car, but the chance of such an incident happening before he can source the parts and fix it, are very remote.
 
The whole door handle is not expensive on flea bay, depending on which model of VW of course, or a scrap yard should be able to supply.
 
The whole door handle is not expensive on flea bay, depending on which model of VW of course, or a scrap yard should be able to supply.
Yes I've been looking. I think it's the backing plate that's gone.
Not sure if it's tricky to do.
 
Generally a couple of screws to hold them in place or some form of sliding clip. You may have to take the glass out to get to it but generally speaking its more awkward rather than difficult.
What model is it? Check out you tube, someone will have done it.
 
Generally a couple of screws to hold them in place or some form of sliding clip. You may have to take the glass out to get to it but generally speaking its more awkward rather than difficult.
What model is it? Check out you tube, someone will have done it.
Its a passat. I'll take the door trim off in a day or two and see if I can work it out.
 
Check out youtube, depending on the problem you may not need to remove the door trim. Lots of stuff on there.

Reallygood one on mk5 golf if yours is the same

 
Last edited:
It shouldn't take you that long :)
Unless I'm mistaken it's a big job. To get to the handle on the inside of the door the trim comes off then to get to the handle the next whole panel has to come out. I think even the speakers have to be drilled out.
Apparently the window mechanism is in the way. All the videos I've seen about that make it look long winded.
 
Last edited:
Check out youtube, depending on the problem you may not need to remove the door trim. Lots of stuff on there.

Reallygood one on mk5 golf if yours is the same

Its just the outside handle that's playing up. I think if it was the inner handle or lock as well the job would easier. At least that what it seems, I can't find a video showing how to get to the handle. Only ones showing how to replace the window regulator which apparently needs to be removed to get to the handle.
 
Last edited:
Sponsored Links
Back
Top