Door locks

[craig_the_german]

Hi,

I put my key into the drivers side door lock today and when I turned it nothing happens. It feels like there is nothing connected to the key at all, just turns freely both directions.

Is it possible that something has "unclipped" from where the key connects to the locking mechanism or am I up for a whole new lock mechanism?

I have the inner door panel off but it's hard to see where anything has fallen off etc.

Common issue??

Pete

[craig_the_german]

Update,

Seems it maybe the lock barrel that has failed. When the key is turned, the small rod that connects the lock barrel and the lock mechanism isn't turning at all.

The rest of the central locking works fine...from the other door.

Can you buy a lock barrel from VW keyed to suit my existing keys?

Thanks

[craig_the_german]

Ordered a lock barrel today. $169 ex VW Germany and will arrive keyed to suit the car.

Lets hope that solves the problem

[Vdubbin]

hey mate ...there is nuthing wrong with ur key barrel....all vw /audi doors lock and unlocks from the passenger door due to the car being produced in europe which europe drivers drive from the left ....germans just got abit lazy to transfer the locking key barrel to the right side lol

[Rybky]

hey mate ...there is nuthing wrong with ur key barrel....all vw /audi doors lock and unlocks from the passenger door due to the car being produced in europe which europe drivers drive from the left ....germans just got abit lazy to transfer the locking key barrel to the right side lol

wtf?? Lol!

[Vdubbin]

does your car have central locking? if u dont getting one would be an easier option to lock and unlock doors

[Andykombi]

Hi,
Hope that fixes your problem. I have heard locks can be problematic on the mk4's.

Were the door covers easy to remove? I have not tied yet, and am unsure how to start. The door switch only works intermittently on mine, and the switch seems to be on the door latch somewhere.

[Manaz]

hey mate ...there is nuthing wrong with ur key barrel....all vw /audi doors lock and unlocks from the passenger door due to the car being produced in europe which europe drivers drive from the left ....germans just got abit lazy to transfer the locking key barrel to the right side lol

Not so on my car...

[dubbed]

This is another common part prone to failure on MkIV Golfs. Mine has been like that for ages (been locking/unlocking from the passenger side which can get very annoying!). I just got quoted $450 to get it replaced... That wasn't from a dealer.

Although, ironically, on the weekend I attempted to fix my door lock modules on the passenger side and had to remove the lock barrel as part of the process. It's a fairly easy exercise (with correct tools) but now I'm miffed about having to pay $169 on the part to fix my driver-side lock. Appreciate the update though.

Does anyone know if the passenger and driver side door lock are interchangeable?

Also, I have the same issue with the boot lock. And of course my car never came with remote central locking.

[craig_the_german]

My car does have central locking, just not remote central locking...has to be unlocked with the key.
When talking to the spare parts guys, they were sure that there is a left and a right lock barrel as I needed to give details of VIN # and which door it was to fit.
The door panel was easy to remove but as I wasn't sure where the problem was I removed the steel inner door panel and that involved disconnecting the door glass to get the panel off (anyone who has had to replace the plastic clips that connect the electric window cables will know this )
The electronic lock module is working fine as all the central locking works fine and the door can be opened using the inside or outside handle.

From what I can gather, out of the end of the lock barrel is a rod that connects the barrel mechanically to the locking module/mechanism. When you put your key in the barrel and turn it, the barrel "connects" to this rod and this unlocks the doors. In my case, you put the key in, turn it but the barrel doesn't "connect" to the rod and therefore doesn't unlock the door.

I am still waiting for the lock barrel to arrive but when it does arrive it seems like it is an easy fix to change it.

STICKY:Replacing door lock barrel MK4 Golf - TDIClub Forums