Attempting to fix Deadlocked doors. Any advice?

[wilzy]

Hi all,

I've recently got myself an 98 Golf Mk4. Both the front and rear left doors wont open. It seems like its deadlocked.
the key fob and driver window controls doesnt seem to do anything to the left doors. no clicking on both left doors, no movement with the lock knob. When the interior door handle is pulled, the lock knob rises by sinks back in with the handle released.

After many weeks of searching through forums and videos. it seems like it is a common problem.
The only solution i've seen is to drill through the door from the inside to release one of the screw on the lock assembly.

I am hoping anyone who been in this situation or helped with fixing deadlocks will be able to recommend a less "damaging" solution.

Wil

[r32 uberwagen]

i had a similar problem when i pick up my R, if you went to open the car with the fob it would open then lock straight away, and if you used the key the same thing would happen. so you had to turn the key in the lock and open the door and press the fob button all at the asame time, which would open the car and set the alarm off. good fun!

i took it to an auto electrician who said that a solder had gone in the driver's door- problem solved for pretty damn cheap.

sounds like a similar problem- can you get into the car at all?

[wilzy]

I believe its a solder problem within the lock mechanism. Unfortunately i dont have a remote fob. I meant using the key when in my earlier post.

I've tried hitting or thumping the lock area, hoping that the movement will make the electrical contacts with the faulty solders. No hope. I'm waiting for my set of new lock mechanism to arrive from ebay. Its only on the left doors, i can still get into my car from the driver side. It just annoying and frustrating. Darn those locks!

Thanks for sharing your experience. I might ring up some auto electricians and see if they can open it at a reasonable cost. Cheers!

[leighaus]

You need to start your car and have a second person standing outside the stuck doors pulling on the handle while you hit the door unlock button on the drivers side door. Once you get it open, fix it. Be prepared, as you may not be so lucky opening the door again.

Also if you replace the door actuator be prepared to replace the window clips-kit as they will fail upon removal if they haven't been upgraded.

Good luck (cost me 700)

[wilzy]

You need to start your car and have a second person standing outside the stuck doors pulling on the handle while you hit the door unlock button on the drivers side door. Once you get it open, fix it. Be prepared, as you may not be so lucky opening the door again.

Also if you replace the door actuator be prepared to replace the window clips-kit as they will fail upon removal if they haven't been upgraded.

Good luck (cost me 700)

Thanks for the heads up about the clips.. might as well buy the clips and have them changed at the same time.