Doors won't open from the outside

[smiggy9]

Hi,

Anyone had this fault? How did you sort it?

Both nearside passenger doors won't open from the outside, after unlocking the car with the remote control key. It has happened gradually, first noticed the rear nearside door not opening on Friday, then on Sunday the front passenger door won't open.

When I use the remote key, the door activators sound as if they are engaging/disengaging as normal, i.e. the normal unlock 'thud'. But no joy when I try to open the door(s). I can open the doors from the inside using the handles no problem.

VW Passat SE Estate 1.9tdi

Is this a back to dealer job?

Cheers,

Steve

[Quatrelle]

This has come up a lot in the past few weeks. Do a search, there's loads on it.

[sathound]

Forgive me if I am being stupid, but this isn't simply the way the key is programmed is it? Mine opens drivers door only with one press of the remote and requires 2 presses to unlock all doors from outside.

[martin1810]

Door handle very very loose. Peg has come out of carrier. Door handle feels ok but no lock. Carrier cable to lock has come off. Door handle feels like it is trying to work lock (bit more resistance). Cable has stretched or lock is worn. You need to sort it soon because the doors may jam shut. Then it is a pain.

[smiggy9]

Thanks for the replies folks!

Door handles feel completely normal, not loose. Can't determine any difference in handle operation/feel/resistance from the doors that do work versus the doors that don't. They just don't want to open from external........8(

In answer to other post about the use of the remote, yes, I am double clicking the fob to open all the doors, as I've been able to do since getting the car from new.

[CliffA6]

If it's the same as my A6 there are micro switches on the latch mechanisms. I have the same problem on my drivers door - it sometimes opens sometimes not. If I lean on the door a bit it sometimes operates. I posted a query about this about 2 weeks ago..... A door strip down and lubricate the mechanism may work otherwise I may have to replace the whole latch (£125). I'll wait till the weather improves. In the US there seems to be a microswitch repair kit but I haven't as yet managed to get the details.

[Quatrelle]

Have you tried the methods used by others on here to fix this?

[martin1810]

If it's the same as my A6 there are micro switches on the latch mechanisms. I have the same problem on my drivers door - it sometimes opens sometimes not. If I lean on the door a bit it sometimes operates. I posted a query about this about 2 weeks ago..... A door strip down and lubricate the mechanism may work otherwise I may have to replace the whole latch (£125). I'll wait till the weather improves. In the US there seems to be a microswitch repair kit but I haven't as yet managed to get the details.

The microswitches are for remote locking, alarm, courtesy lights etc. They don't have anything to do with mechanical opening, by handles.

[smiggy9]

Well well well!!! I saw an excellent thread on this site with a similar problem. One member said that they got a fix by opening the door, holding open the inner handle and then pulling the external handle. I went out to my car after work to go home and tried it, and it worked! (for the rear door) I felt the external handle kind of re-engage with something, there was a slight click. I then closed the door and voila! it could then open easily enough.
I tried the same with the front passenger door but this didn't do the trick. Perhaps there is a different kind of fault with this door. I'm going to get WD40 blasted into it, as has also been mentioned in that thread, then I'm going to wait a wee while for the weather to improve a bit......

[Jo Illingworth]

Mine did this, drop the window and open from inside, shut the door and try the outside, if not do inside handle again and repeat. Mine took about 4 goes!