Door actuator/sensor is stuffed. RWC issue?

[kapowww]

Basically the door actuator/sensor is stuffed. Interior light doesn't turn on and off when the driver's door is opened or closed. Also had another problem this morning when I unlocked the car and got in, then had to give my wife the keys to open the house as she forgot something. The door locked itself and activated the alarm as it does, but it left me stuck in there as I didn't want the alarm to go off.

The dealer I bought the car off said it's wear and tear so isn't covered under warranty.. Jerks. I still have a few weeks left of my warranty so want it sorted. My question is is this a roadworthy issue? I can see the dangers of it not working, including the little red light in the door which would help when pulling over on the side of the road. If it's not, is it an easy fix??

[Coralon]

It wont affect roadworthy and really is wear and tear so I dont know if they will fix it under warranty. The part is relatively cheap but you need to take the door card off to fix and it can be down right painful to do from everything I have read.

[The_Hawk]

I don't know that I would agree with "wear and tear" for something under a warranty...

Have they quoted what it will cost to fix??
My default position would be they fix it under warranty, but depending on how you feel about these things you could negotiate a shared cost.


There is always the DIY option if you want to try that path. A quick search of the interwebs finds this:

VWVortex.com - MKIV door locks explained - why you're having problems!!!
which references this:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=77648

[kapowww]

It wont affect roadworthy and really is wear and tear so I dont know if they will fix it under warranty. The part is relatively cheap but you need to take the door card off to fix and it can be down right painful to do from everything I have read.

I didn't think it affected roadworthy but just wanted to see if there was a loophole or something. You know mechanics get you on every little thing during a check. One guy got done coz his interior light was busted - something that would relate to my problem..

[qsilverza]

Hi JP, I have had quite a bit of experience with car yards and the standard this isn't covered under warranty.

is it the 3 month warranty provided or the 12 month ? If it's the 3 month phone the dealer up and tell them this is a fault and not wear and tear and if they dont fix it along with the haldex system ASAP than you will take them to consumer affairs.

I've had the same trouble in the past with dealers when I bought my bora the clutch would go shonky after an hour turned out it was a pressure plate we played games for weeks, eventually, I told them, I'm going to consumer affairs,I got a quote and it was fixed in the week.

it's about a 3/400 $ repair when you factor in time and component.

[dom123]

anyone know how much the part is worth?

[Back Door Shenanigans.]

anyone know how much the part is worth?

It depends on what it is. If its the solder its free. If its a micro switch (which is what mine was) Is only like $10

[kapowww]

Thanks for linking me up yo. I'll have a look at it after my long to-do list.. (Haldex service, coilovers, rims, stereo system.... ahh!)