Opening rear door on MKIV VW Golf : handle broken, child lock engaged
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- čas přidán 28. 11. 2009
- This is NOT a way to break into a VW! This video goes along with a VW Vortex thread here: forums.vwvortex.com/showthread... . Apparently failure of the outside door handle is pretty common, the symptom being that you cannot open the door from the outside even when it is unlocked. You can usually open it from the inside... unless you have managed to engage the child safety lock... in which case you've got a door that will not open from either the inside or the outside. What to do?!? Your VW dealer may quote you some ridiculous price to get you out of this fix, or people may tell you to do something silly like cut a hole in your door panel or break off the handle. No need! Just insert a pick or some similar implement into the handle as shown in the video, probe around until you feel something that feels like it might be part of the latch, then give a little twist/pull. I was inspired to try this after finding the following post: wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_... .
- Auta a dopravní prostředky
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Thank you for this, Doug. The exterior handle on my Passat stopped working, and my wife inexplicably engaged the child lock in an effort to fix it; using this method remedied the situation.
Doug,
Thank you for this video. The exterior handle was broken. I, like an idiot, thought that enabling the child lock would some how fix the handle. Closed the door and then you know the rest of the story. :)
Like you mentioned on vwvortex removing the door card gains you zero chance of accessing the lock mechanism. VW did a great job in building a door assembly that is a PITA to fix.
Again, thanks for taking the time to make this video.
Cheers to you!!!!!!!
Tom
Hey, I'm BRS, the guy who posted the original fix on Wiki Fix. This is pretty much the same tool as my modified coathanger and works on exactly the same principle. A cheap coathanger was the nearest that I could find that I knew I could use. Doug's tool looks a bit more pro than my solution but both work a treat. Incidentally, I've had over three thousand emails from all over the world after I posted that fix. I even had an email from some guy at VW thanking me! Keep the faith Doug! Cheers BRS
Just happened to me on long stay trip to Spain from UK in my Mk4 Golf Estate, garage here wanted 230euro to remove door & fit new handle, found this video & opened door in 30 seconds after I found & bent a piece of strong wire! Door handle bought on eBay UK for £12 & awaiting delivery here in Spain, top man you are! saved me a fortune! many thanks
Excellent - glad this helped... and now you have a few more £ for sangria!
Wonder if this trick would work on driver side rear door on a uk model?
Got same problem the door won't open tried so many tricks but all in vain..
Thank you. With the child lock ON and the opening cable detached from the outside handle, your method did the trick...after 3 attempts, 3-5 min each. THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!
That's great!! Glad to hear it. I know the video isn't the best, and it's pretty hard to know exactly what you're supposed to be hooking onto, but I think just knowing it's *possible* is half the battle. :)
Fantastic video, saved me a huge bill as the garage would have had to rip the door card off as well! A note to anyone attempting this, I used a BBQ skewer and bent the tip about 5-6mm at 90 degrees. Then insert the tool into the runner on the inside of the handle pull with the point facing up. You are then trying to hook the cable on the back panel and pull! Thanks dougfrommaine!!!
Found this a key point, thank you. It's like 'scraping the cable off the back panel' then pulling back out towards you isn't it.
For anyone struggling just keep trying and trying it will soon click and the door is open.
It took me about 2 hours on and off with a coat hanger, when it finally opens its worth the wait.
Thanks again Doug
Hey - good to hear from you. Let me thank you too! I was so happy to have found your post and get that door open, I felt like I should "give something back" - I figured there must be some people who - like me - might have had a little trouble picturing the door-opening procedure you described. Feel free to link/refer others to this video if you like. Cheers, Doug
Thanks a lot! Its been two years since I tried to fix the outher door handle by turning the child lock key and closing the door. :P The guys at the VW dealership said that they had to force the door open by breaking the door. But after watching your video yesterday, i decided to give it a go by myself. I made a similar tool to the one you with a steel wire from a lamp. After 5 minutes of turning and twisting, it finally opened :) You saved me a lot of money and frustation :D
This worked well for me, although i used a wire coathanger with a 5mm hook bent on the end. After many hours of fiddling with other so called fixes, this one was completed in just 10 minutes. Thank you.
Thank you! I watched so many videos, and they all took off the door panel or cut a hole in the door. I got the door open and turned the child safety lock off. Maybe I will fix the lock mechanism eventually, but for now opening the door from the inside is good enough for me.
Thanks for posting this bro'. It worked great.
Saved me bucks and frustration !
Cheers
Excellent! I was so happy - and relieved - it worked for me that I was prompted to make/post the video to try and help anyone else stuck in the same predicament! Many thanks again to "BRS" in the UK, the fellow who posted the original "text only" solution on Wiki Fix. Cheers!
Nice one, I being a compete tool when finding out my exterior handle was broke I enabled the child lock.. Duh.. As the door was closing I knew what I just done.
Anyway after reading on forums I thought I was doomed until I stumbled on this peach of a video
Thanks a lot
Great - glad it helped. There are apparently quite a few "tools" like us out there! :) My similar feeling of euphoria after finding the original text-only post about how to get the door open was what prompted me to make the video in the first place.
Than you, tahnk you! You saved me in Czech Republic with passat B5.5. You are great man.
Very glad to hear that! When I first learned this trick 13 years ago, there was only a written description on the forum I mention in the comments. I was so excited to have found a way to get my door open, I decided to post a video, to hopefully help others. I'm always happy to hear when it works for someone. Cheers @Vojtasebek!
I am also facing the same issue as you have explained. Thanks for the video - i will give it a try. With what exactly you are trying to open the door and from where can I get this?
hi, If you haven't already, pls. read the paragraph at the top of the page - you might have to click "show more" to read the whole thing. The tool I used was a "right angle pick" They're available pretty much everywhere and usually come is a set/4 along with a straight, angled and hooked pick as well for < $10. For example, you'd likely find them in the "cheap Chinese-made tool bargain bin" at the any hardware or auto parts store. Certainly @ Amazon or Harbor Freight. Handy to have in general.
doug, pls advice if this procedure can open the rear door for golf 6 2010, i do have same problem.
The door cannot be opened from the inside with the child safety lock engaged. That's the point of the child safety lock - to keep kids in the back seat from opening the door from the inside. Someday when you have kids and you see them pulling on the door handle while you're going 60 MPH you'll appreciate having that feature. :)
Hi i have got a mk5 gti the back nearside door won't open from inside or out do u think it's the same problem u have hear because I don't want to break all the door cards to get it open
hi i have the same problem with my vw 2006 passat tdi front passanger side door has not open from outside but it does open from inside,
do u thing same problem i have got in this video? many thanks
Thank you!!! It worked greatly on 2004 VW Jetta!
Great, glad to hear it!
saved my bacon! thank you! (ps. works on 3 door golfs also!)
Thank you very much man ! It works very good and easy!
is this going to work on the front passenger door on my 2002 vw polo? i have no child lock activated on the door, it just wont open, from inside or outside.
thank you Brother just saved me hours of work.
frank johns Excellent - glad it helped!
very good job, it was very helpful! Congratulations, keep it up! thanks a lot!
I have a 2007 WW Passat...looking at your video the handle looks different from mine and i have the same problem as your video says....does it work on my car too...thanks.
Boa noite. Conseguiu resolver o problema do seu passat (porta traseira)?
did you deal with the problem I also have the same.
This worked on my passat thanks for sharing this massive help.
Great!! Always glad to hear that. Thanks!
Hi again. Before you go too far, definitely try to remove the inside panel from the door. In my case with the rear door, I was actually able to get the whole thing off from the inside without opening the door. It didn't help me get the door open, but maybe in your case it would. Not sure it that's possible for the front of course. Best of luck.
Nice work I have a passat 05 same concept i think but different design. in my case the cable came loose and my child lock is on. I tried making a tool like yours from and old grill but it was to wide to slide in, my space is so narrow maybe i'l try making a tool again with a thin long nail. In my case I can take my cap off which reveals a grey cover does not seem to come off can't seem to find any guides really.
+Sigurvaldi Gudmundsson Hi. Yes, that gray piece you see under the cap doesn't come off - it's part of the door handle, which only can be removed/released from the inside of the door. Not sure where you live, but that little pick I was using is typically part of a set of four which is available at almost any hardware store for a few bucks. On-line, Harbor Freight, Amazon, etc. all have them. Your idea with the nail would likely work, though - maybe put an angle on both ends, and then clamp the nail in a pair of vise-grips so you can get some leverage. You do need to be able to exert a bit of pressure. Cheers, Doug.
I would doubt it. Even for the rear door, the door needs to be unlocked for this to work, i.e. it is a workaround for the handle being broken. Imagine the door to your house... if the doorknob was broken off, you could stick a screwdriver in and turn the strike mechanism, but that's not going to get the door open if the deadbolt is locked. I'd suggest checking out the VWVortex forums if you haven't already. Good luck!
You sir.... Are a legend god only knows how much money you have saved me
"A friend of mine", huh? :) :)
Good luck - hopefully it works on MK5 too!
top man just fixed my locking closed the door and wouldnt open this fixed it and a drop of oil on the lath thanks
accidenti averlo visto prima " il video"non facevo tutto sto macello....grazie comunque
Hi again. After I got the door open, I was able to disengage the child lock, and then the door worked just like it did before, that is, I could only open it from the INside because the outside door handle is broken. That's certainly preferable to not being able to open it at all, but no, the technique in the video doesn't actually FIX the broken outside door handle - it just gets the door back open so you can un-do the child lock. Years later, I still haven't bothered to fix it!
@PugetSoundFlyer Great news - glad it helped!
HI I WUD LIKE 2 KN HOW U CAN GET THE BACK DOOR OF MY FABIA OPEN AS IT WONT OPEN FROM IN SIDE OR OUT
Do you know if this works on a front door where the lock is stuck in the locked position? Cheers.
@dougfrommaine I have this same problem. I turned on the child lock and central locking no longer open the door. What i must do when I put this pick? Can you somehow illustrate? What inside that lock I need to hook up, turn or push?
+Mifczu Hi, There is a little cable that has likely come loose from your door handle. When you pull on the handle, it is usually pulling on this cable to open the door. With the pick, I basically trap the end of the cable against the door handle, and then use the door handle to pull the cable, now held in place with the tool. If you look at the video entitled "Why your VW door won't open" you'll see the lock mechanism and the cable. If you look at this picture (stuff.jfettigmachines.com/tdi/doors/tn_IMG_2220.jpg) you will get an idea of how the cable fits into the door handle. Hope that helps!
Hi. I don't know if you've got the same issue - did you engage the child lock? If not, then it's something different, like maybe your door is stuck in the locked position. The technique in the video only works if the door is UN-locked, but the outer handle is broken and the child lock is engaged. Pretty specific situation. Sorry I can't be more help...
I've done this and it worked perfectly thanks:) just want to now how I can get the little black pin back so I can open door from outside? Please help!
+Claudio Herbert Hi, Sadly I don't know of an easy way to fix this... which is why my door still doesn't open from the outside 7 years later. :) If you Google something like "MKIV VW replace door handle" you will likely be able to find your way to a write-up of the whole process, like on the forums at vwvortex.com, tdiclub.com or myturbodiesel.com. If you do find a trick to re-seat the cable that doesn't involve taking the door apart and removing the window clips, let me know!!
the rear door on my 2000 Octavia tdi wont open from inside or outside. None of the electric windows nor the central locking were working when i bought the car.
I have managed to get the door card off by undoing the torx with a needle nose which has revealed a second hand door with the usual paint pen labelling what the door is off.
Can you doing it whit a Toyota Echo??? Because i forget the 2 set off my hey on the car and now i want to try to open up the door! :(
Please reply!!! Or doing 1 more video please
hey i have a 99 jettta the front door only open inside the handle out side not opening door how do i fix it??
I can't put in side the handle to unlock the door my rear door of passsat is not open
Hey I have a VW Golf 02 and when I unlock with the remote control all the door buttons pop up besides the rear driver side door. The door also won't open no matter what i try. The dealership wants $300 to fix it but I can't afford that at the moment. Is there anyway you know of how I can fix this so the door opens?
Hi - glad it helped! I was so incredibly relieved the procedure worked for me I felt compelled to make the video. After reviewing the handle replacement procedure, though, I decided I could live with one door that didn't open from the outside. :) There are some excellent posts on the vwvortex forums which document the procedure, so definitely have a look if you've not already done so. Cheers, dougfromaine
What tool r u usin aswell sorry for all the questions m8
THANK YOU for this ! Life saver....
Yup, ditto here...outside door inop and the kid set child safe option on door....now none of the handles work and door locked shut....gonna try you method...Thanks!!
my rear seat handle came off, is there a way to fix this problem, 2004 gti
Does it work with front doors on 3-door?
Thank you Doug I have been searching for an answer to this till I found your video .. It works too to make it even better))
does it work with toyota camry ? 2018-2023
hi! I have the same problem but I have 2006 vw jetta and the right rear door wont open ,I tried this but there isn't any room for the tool to go in
what can I do to fix it?
thanks
Hi, Sorry, I know this works with MKIV, but '06 is MKV, yes? So it is probably different somehow. Obviously not any improvement, though, if you're having the same issue! :( Good luck!
Hey again. It couldn't be opened from the outside because the outside handle is broken. Meaning, before stupidly engaging the child lock, I already *was* reaching in from the front door to open the back one. Making sense now? If you read the full comments "about" the video, it should pretty much explain the situation. Cheers.
Good luck - hope it works for you!!
Wish I would have seen this video before I did it my way! I had the child lock on and then the cable came off.... I fixed it by taking out the lower seat cushion and using some patience and trim removal tools I exposed the location and drilled a hole through some body metal, exposing the child lock switch. Do not do it this way!!!
+Craig Kerr Oh my! Before I found the original post that inspired me to make this video, I was nearly ready to cut a hole in the door! Well, at least you're back in business. Thanks for sharing your experience! :)
+dougfrommaine There is one very excellent VW mechanic in Eugene, and even he was clueless on the fix. I can only imagine what the dealer would have charged. I did loosen the torx screw, remove the dummy lock cylinder, and then easily reattach the cable to the handle. Total repair cost: $0. Thanks again.
I flicked the mechanism with a screwdriver but it appears to be deadlocked. when i unplugged the electric window circuit block the other three doors and windows work perfectly (the plug was full of water probably from sitting in the rain at the scrappy). i tryied the block off the passenger door and it still wouldn't unlock the door or work the windows.
anyone have a similar problem with a dead locked door?
thank you!!!! you saved me! my dealer wanted to force their way into the door!
Will this work if the door is locked and won't unlock? I have an issue with the rear door where it won't unlock and child lock is on. Thanks.
hi, No, unfortunately this will not work if the door is locked, e.g. with the door lock switch or central locking. If it did, it would be a really easy way to break into someone's car... which it isn't! Sorry. On an MKIV, it is possible - by taking out the lower seat cushion and using some patience and trim removal tools - to take off the inside rear door card/trim without opening the door... which might get you access to whatever part of the locking mechanism is malfunctioning. I'd search the forums on VWVortex for more info on your lock problem, and photos of where all the door trim clips are located - no doubt someone has posted some good tips or instructions. Good luck!
@dougfrommaine cheers mate i will take a gander at that site.
Excellent Video, good work.
Interior or exterior? If interior, you will need to remove the inside door panel, which is not too tough - I was even able to remove mine without opening the rear door. If it's the outside handle you've got a tougher problem. In either case, I would suggest searching the MK4 forums on VWVortex - there are lots of posts and pictures that should be helpful to you.
Yeah, i can get the inside panels off, but as you say, if the lock is stuck then it doesn't help opening the door. The only thing to do (that I know of) is to smash the lock mechanism off from inside of the door and hope you don't damage the door itself.
Hi Dougfrommaine! i have a Mk5 also with the same problem.. i made a pick from a cloth hanger.. but when i was going to use it i found i Little bit of plastic that mooved further in where the hole is in your video! do you know how i can get that out or is it impossible? thankfull fore respond=)) / Philip
Hi. To be honest, I'm not sure. Perhaps there's something else broken in there? You might want to remove the handle to get access to what's inside. I'd suggest you check out other videos to see how it's done. Searching for "MKV door handle" yields some good results. Anyhow, it's not hard in theory, but if you live in a place where cars rust, like I do, and your car has some corrosion, like mine was, things might not pop-out quite as easily as you see in the videos of pristine cars from southern California. :) Good luck - let me know how it turns out!
The thing is that the door is locked.. and i cant open it from iether way.. and vw tell me that it cost like 650 euro to fix it.. i live in sweden by the sea så things rust.. but this car is a 2004 with 50.000 km on the meter so its in mint codition☺
Oh right, of course the door is closed otherwise you would not have this problem! Sorry!
Just to be clear, the door does need to be *unlocked*. If your handle is broken and your child lock is on AND your door will not unlock, they you really are out of luck. But when you say "locked" I am hoping you just mean "closed and won't open".
In my comment a few years ago to "Mifczu" I gave a link to a picture shows really clearly what you are trying to do with the pick, or clothes hanger in your case. Scroll down and take a look at my explanation in that comment, maybe it will be helpful. The link to the picture no longer works, but I found it on the "wayback machine" a.k.a. the internet archive, here: web.archive.org/web/20140720151840/stuff.jfettigmachines.com/tdi/doors/tn_IMG_2220.jpg
Check it out.
You just need to somehow pull on the little plastic end-piece of the cable - pulling the cable is what opens the door. The handle just pulls on the cable when everything is working as it should.
I'll keep my fingers crossed!
hello, did anybody deal with this problem in passat b6?
This video just saved my arse thank you mate 👍
Great, always happy to hear that! Cheers.
Can get back to me plz and when u opened ur door did it work fine ???? Thanks
I have tried this on my mk5 golf but there isn't any room for the tool to go down ! Anyone else experienced this?
Hi i have a Mk4 golf and one off the rears doors deos not open from inside or out. It Locks and unlocks fine. What tool did you use and also what is the procedure off opening it. Please help
Hi, First, look at the video to get the general idea. What you're doing inside the door is as follows: There is a little cable that has likely come loose from your door handle. When you pull on the handle, it is usually pulling on this cable to open the door. With the pick, I basically trap the end of the cable against the door handle, and then use the door handle to pull the cable, now held in place with the tool. If you look at the video entitled "Why your VW door won't open" on CZcams, you'll see the lock mechanism and the cable. If you look at this picture (stuff.jfettigmachines.com/tdi/doors/tn_IMG_2220.jpg) you will get an idea of how the cable fits into the door handle. As for the tool, I think you can see at least the end of it in the video, but it's just a little right-angle pick. Not sure where you are, but they have them, usually in a set of four, for a few $ at most hardware stores in the US. This is basically what it is: www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-pick-and-hook-set-66836.html . Hope that helps!
dougfrommaine Hi thank you so much for the reply. I really appriciate it. Will try it and will let you know. Thank you.
@josearmandodias Não há problema - obrigado pela sua resposta. ;)
how do i unlock my rear passanger door?. child lock engaged and cant open from handle.
Cheers for that, just wanted to make sure there wasn't some sort of release that could be triggered on the mechanism. Have a nasty feeling I'm going to be chiselling off the door lock from the inside :(
There is a little plastic rectangle thing that is supposed to go where you put the hook through. Put it back in place and the line will have tension to pull the door open.
how do i get that plastick bit out? i cant get my tool, in there is that plastic bit in the way..
Hi. The video shows how to open the rear door. So for the passenger side, you'd just need to do the same thing, except stand on the other side of the car. :) Seriously though, your door must be unlocked for this to work, i.e. lock button up. This is just a way to bypass a broken door handle. If the problem is that your rear door is LOCKED - i.e.the central locking system lock is locked - and you can't unlock it, then you have a different problem - I always suggest checking vwvortex.com forums.
@josearmandodias Esta não é uma maneira de roubar o carro. Só funciona se a porta já está desbloqueado. Se a porta está trancada, não vai funcionar. Se você não pode ler em Inglês, talvez você não deve postar a sua reclamação.
@Ambrew11 - I had the same situation on my golf after some idiot installed speakers and drilled them through a set of wires :| . I suggest you open the back door front cover using a torx short screwdriver after that you can pick it through the speaker hole.
Do you know if this would work on a mk5 golf
I don't know for sure myself. From the comments here, though, someone mentioned it worked on a 2007 Jetta. Not sure it that is IV or V, or if Jetta follows the same years as the Golf, but maybe it will work for you.
I jus want to get the door open and see what needs fixing and get it done jus really hard to get open otherwise
please. I have a passat years 2005. is it posible to open ith the same system??? the doors is blocked.
It would probably work. Someone else who had a Passat was able to get the door open this way, though I am not sure what year their car was.
did you deal with the problem I also have the same.
Worked on my 2007 Volkswagen Jetta!! :)
Great - happy to hear it worked for you! :)
GREAT, but would've been even better if you gave instructions about the position & depth that you were aiming to get that lil hook to... ALSO what is it that you're eventually managing to hook onto on the inside & what motion you're performing to get the lock unlatched...
Thanks for the advice. Maybe you can make a more useful video - mine was shot was many years and several cars ago, so I won't be making any improvements. To be honest, when I did it, I had no idea what I was trying to hook onto - I just fished around and eventually "hooked" the right thing. However, over the years people have asked lots of questions about how to perform the procedure, so I did a little research trying to find a good illustration of what's on the inside. I'll re-include it below. Hope that helps. Cheers!
------------------------------
In my comment a few years ago to "Mifczu" I gave a link to a picture shows really clearly what you are trying to do with the pick, or clothes hanger in your case. Scroll down and take a look at my explanation in that comment, maybe it will be helpful. The link to the picture no longer works, but I found it on the "wayback machine" a.k.a. the internet archive, here: web.archive.org/web/20140720151840/stuff.jfettigmachines.com/tdi/doors/tn_IMG_2220.jpg
Check it out.
You just need to somehow pull on the little plastic end-piece of the cable - pulling the cable is what opens the door. The handle just pulls on the cable when everything is working as it should.
------------------------------
Thank You very much.
Sorry, no idea on a 2010. Though if your rear door handle is broken too, I'd bet VW is probably still using the same breakage-prone part! Anyhow, it probably wouldn't hurt to try - just be gentle. :)
Will this work on a VW Passat tdi 2007 model,please help??????
Sorry, don't know. I know it will work on all 4th generation models, which, for example, on the Golf went from '99 through '04 in the USA. but... give it a shot - can't hurt. Do post back if you try. Cheers, and good luck!
Thanks.... ok will do!
THANK YOU!!!!!!!
wow! Nice tool.... this can be useful
fairplay bro worked a treat chuffed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeh and it'll sswork a treat for anyone wanting to lift yr motor of its
contents!!!
Sent from my Sony Xperia P
ha ha
Does it works for Golf 7 plz ?
Sorry, I don't know for sure. Someone posted that it worked for them on an MK6, though, so it might work on MK7 too. It wouldn't hurt to try.
p.s cant use the method you showed in the vid as its all busted unside.
Hi - sorry - don't know for sure. Good luck!
Hi. Sorry, don't know off the top of my head. I still haven't fixed my door handle - after digging around inside the door I decided it was something I really didn't want to do... but if my driver's door was broken, I'd probably want to fix it too. Check the forums at vwvortex.com - look in the section based on the series of your car, e.g. MKIV (99-04 IIRC), MKV, MKIII, etc. Many people have posted lots of good instructions and pictures about fixing many common problems like the door handles.
No I never touched the back door but for it not to work from inside and out it hopefully cud b the child lock engaged
@Z100027 Hi/Bonjour. Je ne comprend pas -je parle seulement un peu, mais translate.google.com dit-moi "totally impossible to open passenger door was already closing the door with all its possible pneumatic system of the can" - qu'entendez-vous?
Grr! I need to know how to do this on a 2000 Honda Civic :/
Hey. Working on the doors isn't the easiest thing. If your door is locked then the trick in the video won't work. There are many things that could be wrong with your door, but the most likely is a problem with the lock actuator. I would suggest you search the forums at vwVortex.com for "MKIV Rear Door Lock" - there are a lot of "how to" posts and lots of good pictures. If what you see is within your DIY comfort level, go for it! If not, well, at least the other doors still work. :)