Could anybody please help...

I have a 2002 '02 RS. When I unlock/lock the vehicle with both the remote central lock blipper, and using the key in the ignition barrel, the front passenger door does not unlock or lock.

At first it was an intermittant problem but now it wont work at all.

Any ideas? Could I fix myself? Using VAG com perhaps?

Please help as i'm afraid of visiting the dealer with it being xmas and finding a big bill waiting for me!!

Thanks all,

Luke.

It looks like a hardware failure in the wiring or door actuator to me.

Expensive?

I'd guess at water ingress into the door. Had the same problem with my mk1 vRS. Fixed under warranty, so no idea of cost unfortunately

Mine did the same aswell as the antihijack locking the passenger door only for it to unlock again - very annoying.

All fixed now courtesy of a microswitch and some soldering.

The microswitches that sense the door is closed are dodgy and break. Also the solder joint on the circuit board inside the door lock mechanism crack.

So far i`ve sorted both front locks with a new microswitch (abou £1.30 ea. from RS Components) and resoldered the pins on the board. Took about 2 hrs per door including taking the door to bits......

Has been covered on here before aswell as TDiclub and VWVortex.

Check :- Stupid door Switch!! $3 Fix!!! - TDIClub Forums

Are the puddle lights and dash indicator coming on when you open the front doors? That will tell you if the microswitch is broken.

I can dig out the part number of the swicth if you need it.

It may be the problem but it could also be a number of other things...

Cheers

Thanks for the help guys.

Are the puddle lights and dash indicator coming on when you open the front doors? That will tell you if the microswitch is broken.

Cheers

As to the above, all that happens when I open the front doors is the interior light comes on (which obviously is set to do so anyhow) and the little red open door symbol on the dashboard comes on.

Also, if this might help identify exactly what is broken:

> I can get the passenger door to open if I keep pressing the unlock button quickly about 6 or 7 times and it finally unlocks

> When I first bought the car, VAG com was used and diagnosed what I was told an "intermittent fault showing on the passenger door locks"

Thanks again all for your replies.

If the interior light comes on and the dash symbol is showing the microswitches are fine.

I could be a dodgy wiring connection (water ingress) check/clean the wiring connectors inside the door or it could be a dodgy solder joint on the circuit board, the only way to find out is to try each of these things.

Looks like you`ll have to take the door to bits whichever way you go.

Cheers - will get the door apart, or should I say my brother will!

See what happens.......

Good luck.

You`ll need a 12 point spline bit to remove the lock (like a torx bit but with more points)

You don`t need to remove the window, just remove the bottom bolt from the window runner and gently move it out the way while removing the lock.

Well....

My brother took the door panel off this afternoon.

Once off, he realised this job was out of his depth as he has only got engine tuning/basic service knowledge and has never been inside a door before.

So, the black foam stuff covering the door that sits behind the panel got taped back up as we had to pull it away, and the door panel went back on.

Bizzarely, the problem APPEARS to be cured?!!!!

All we did was wiggle the locking mechanism and blow down the sides of things so we could see what we were doing!? Plus the fault was present on VAG com.

It hasnt been rechecked on VAG com yet but to date the door lock is now fully operative.....but don't ask how.

At that rate, if it recurs, reopen the door, and clean the wiring connectors to the door actuator.

Also, make very sure that the foam membrane is properly resealed, since that's what keeps rain from running down the window and into the car.

If you wiggled the connector on mine it temporarily sorted it.

It sounds like cracked solder joints to me.

Hopefully it`ll hold out though.

Used the only thing we had to hand, and taped the foam membrane back up with plenty of that thick brown parcel tape stuff; hopefully that will suffice?!

Lets hope the wiggling technique does hold out! Touch wood......