[Vwdiesel] Help with Rear Doors...SOLVED

[Mark Shepherd]

Glad you solved it... or have you? :o)
Just went out and played with my Quantum locks. Which spring is it that
broke? not the rotary one that pops open the actual latch that sticks
outside the side of the door is it?... Because I'm nearly absolutely
certain that this will 'unlock' with no spring. Which takes me back to the
thought that the door handle pivot has worn and does not push the paddle
far enough.
 This is such a common problem on these doors... As the pivot wears more
effort is needed to pop the latch... to the point where two hands squeezing
barely do it and then tempers fray and I have been known to pull the handle
right off....
So take handle off and check pivot wear....
Miser


Doyt says:

And the prize goes to BRIAN HARRISON, of Stewiacke, Nova Scotia, Canada.

His solution worked exactly as described in his post (below).  And it took
about 20 minutes per door.

NOW the VW world has an archive report of the solution to a very disabling
and apparently common problem of our Jettas, and perhaps our Rabbits.

WOW! Thanks all who replied. It was a step in the process.

Gratefully,   Doyt Echelberger in Rustbelt Ohio
85 Jetta TD
84 Rabbit D
82 Jetta D (deceased but parts are still in the garage.)
87 Audi 5ktq still pulling 15 # of boost
76 VW Westfalia (rebuilt 2 liter running fine)
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
At 10:16 AM 10/6/2005, you wrote:
>Hi Doyt;
>I have had to fix the door on my 85 Jetta a few times over the years.
>I can't recall if the Rabbits are similar in design or not, but this is
>what works on A2 models.
>I have found that there is a small spring that breaks inside the latch,
>then you can't open it from inside or out. My way to get it open is to
>use a narrow,
>long ( 1/8 " or 3/16 " ) blade screw-driver and from the inside of the
>car,
>use it to trip the latch and open the door. You have to press the seat
>cushion
>back and get in between the door frame and door with the screw-
>driver
>and keep prodding until you pop the latch. Use the opposite  rear
>door as
>a guide or try to find another car the same to see how the latch
>works and where to push to let it open.
>If you poke at it in just the right spot while pushing out on the door
>from the inside
>you can get it open. You may scratch the paint on the door frame a
>bit
>but you can get it open, usually in 10 to 20 minutes once you see
>where you have to
>press the screw-driver.
>Once you get it open, take off the latch, clean it out, lube it and
>replace the spring.
>
>Good luck, it can be done with out taking everything apart or
>breaking anything.
>
>Regards;
>Brian
>
>--
>Brian Harrison CET
>Stewiacke, Nova Scotia, Canada
>"VW Diesel Driver Since 1978"
>63 Type 2
>72 Beetle
>85 Jetta GL td 625,000km
>95 Passat GLS td wagon 360,000km
>97 Jetta GL TDI 240,000km
>www3.ns.sympatico.ca/roseland
>
>
>
>