The door just bounces back without the latch engaging. The locking mechanism appears to work though. I can get round it by holding the inside door latch fully open and pulling the lock button up until I hear a click at the lock. The door can then be shut and locked. The problem is repeated immediately
Any ideas?
I have a '97 & live on dirt roads in the US. The dust gets in the outer door handle & wares the horizontal pivit pin. This makes the door not open from the outside. Looking @ my door handle I can't see that causing it not to close, but its woth a shot.
NOTE: The right side exterior door handle screws are reverse threaded.
Bill
Yeah, maybe. Did it by chance start doing this with recent cooler (especially if close to freezing) temps. I have a 94 Passat, and my mechanisms will occasionally "freeze up" in cold weather, just as you describe. Cleaning them out real well with a spray degreaser product, followed by a light lube with silicone spray, or other low temp compatible lube will generally 'cure' the problem for a year or more. It helps if you warm the lock mechanism up with a carefully directed blast from a hair dryer before proceeding.
Really not a difficult problem to cure.
David Glos
In message , DLGlos writes
OK Thanks everyone; I'll give it a go and see what happens.
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