On my 90 Jetta 4 door, the passenger side door latch mechanism is seized. My Jetta does not have power locks, and the lock is in the "unlock" position. The inner door release handle moves, but it doesn't open the door. I cut the outer door handle off, and sprayed the latch mechanism w/ WD40. This approach has not worked.
Does anyone know any trick to releasing the door with a seized latch? The latch mechanism has a small lever that the outer door handle would appear to depress. My latch mechanism handle won't move, and I have forced it to the point where I thought it might break or bend.
I'd rather not cut off the door and replace it with another door. I'd like to tear off the interior trim to get to the latch, but the latch mounting screws are accessible from the outside of the door. I have access to metal cutting tools: sawsall, etc., but I'd like to keep the surgery to a minimum.
Has anyone else solved this seized door latch problem without destroying the door?
thanks,
Andy