Passat rear door deadlocked, help!

[gezmason]

Hi there, my 02 130PD Tdi's rear passenger door lock has died in locked position. Have trawled many threads regarding this with no definitive answer. Wires ok in grommit between doors, tried thumping door whilst unlocking but no luck. I have removed door card but not sure how to get at lock without removing screws on edge of door. Presumably it's possible to get at to unlock it without smashing to pieces but how? Would like to open mechanism and check for dry solder joints? Any help most appreciated

[Crasher]

Sometimes it is the Bowden cable to the door handle being too tight but without opening the door, the only way to release the tension so you can use the inner handle is to butcher the outer handle and Bowden cable so requiring a new painted handle. This problem can be really unpleasant to deal with. Does the lock button move up and down on the remote or manually?

[stonedagain]

Mine wouldn't open from the outside handle a few days ago, the cable had somehow detached itself from the handle.

[gezmason]

All sorted, 2nd hand lock of ebay , all put back together and still didn't work! Examined the wires again in rubber between doors and found the lower black plug connector had green corroded pins, cleaned up and now all perfect and only cost 26 quid. Anyone else out there with same problem, check these connecters 1st!

[Crasher]

How did you get the door open?

[gezmason]

Got door open by taking window panel out enough(door locked shut) that i could get to the lock and butcher it(move/break deadlock lever) and what a relief when it opened!! Prob would have been ok but assumed it was dry solder, hence if anyone has this problem for gods sake check wires/plugs first!! Better still NEVER by a VW, get a Honda!!