Versions of late 44 Door Lock?

[hah at srv.net]

>Does anyone know anything about either different versions of the late-44
>type door handle, or the TSB that describes lock interference when
>fixing the classic door lock problem?

For a most excellent instructional page, see 
http://members.aol.com/c1j1miller/body.html#Door Lock Repair
(hmm, spaces in URLs didn't use to work in Netscape but they seem to 
now...)

>I have the typical snapped driver's door lock on my '89 200 avant, which
>wasn't too bad (use the passenger's side...) until I took it to my boys
>at the garage for a quick fix.

Mistake #1?

>They now insist that they need a whole new handle as well as actuator
>rod and alarm activation switch, because the old ones are either too
>worn or the wrong version or something, and interfere with the new parts
>- setting the alarm off anytime you touch the drivers door.  There is
>some TSB about bending or grinding a part in reference to this but I
>can't seem to find the details on the net.

I did this a couple of months ago on my driver's door, can't remember 
exactly which part I needed to file down a bit, but it was obvious when 
observing the internal operation with window frame / door sub-panel 
removed. The new, unmodified part hangs up / rubs on the old parts until 
suitably, subtly modified. Mine was actually a broken platic thingamabob 
that holds the lock rod onto the rotating plate, not the fragile plate 
itself, but I replaced the plate with the improved part anyway and zip-tied 
the rod in place.

About the alarm, there are teeth on the switch mating with teeth on the 
lock plate - they are indexed == exactly one correct orientation == slap it 
back together and alarm goes nuts. Guess what happened. Takes a bit of 
fiddling to get it all back together *right*, and someone has skimped.

Took me, oh, three hours or so start to finish with lots of goofing-off 
time.

>In the meantime, they couldn't reassemble the old parts to the status
>quo either, so I now have no alarm/power locks, and have to lean through
>passenger seat to unlock the drivers side everytime. Aaargh.

Recommend not taking any tricky-type-44-specific work there in the future.

HTH
Henry Harper
http://www.srv.net/~hah
1991 200 quattro, 111k
1988 GTI 16v, 215k