Passenger door wont unlock / open !!!

[snugglebum]

Today i went to pick my dad up and he tried to open the front passenger door while i was pressing the unlock button. The door now won’t unlock or open. The only way u can get the interior door lock to pop up is to pull the interior handle. Doing this the lock pops up then drops when u let the handle go but the door doesn’t open. This is going to cause a few problems transporting the family as the wife was due to give birth 3 days ago !!!!
I think i read a post about the door locks a while ago saying once this happens then u have to rip the door panel off to get the door open ???
Anyone know how i can get the door open ? Is the door lock knackered or is there just a bent rod ?

Any advice would be great
2001 Allroad 2.7t

Cheers
Lee

[NickPicks]

This used to happen on my old coupe, and I used to curse my wife every time she did it!

My Coupe always seemed to sort itself out after a few lock and unlock cycles.

It sounds like you're going to have to take the door panel off to see what's going on inside. I think you should be able to do this with the door closed.

Meanwhile, your wife will have to travel to hospital in the back seat!

[Peter D]

The door may not be closed properly. Spead the load out and firmy and sharply push the door then try and open it. Had it happen twice on my A6. Regards Peter

[snugglebum]

Thanks for the advice guys.....

I’ve managed to get the door open, but its cost me a door card. I tried using a block of wood cushioned with a cloth and a rubber mallet to knock the deadlock free. I banged on the door with the mallet while my dad unlocked and locked the car. Tried this in various places around the door lock with no success.

In desperation I called the local AUDI dealer to get a quote to repair the door £££££££s. So then i called the local specialist £££££££s again and this time he told me it was a 2 day job ???

I called the dealers again for the price of a replacement door card and lock.
Door card £233.85 + VAT (10 Days)
Lock £103.45 + VAT (In stock)

I then removed the passenger door card from our other A6 to gauge the position of the lock mechanism in relation to the door card. I then cut a small hole in the door card using a drill and a hacksaw blade. Coated the exposed lock and mechanism in WD40 (let it soak in). 2 small taps with the mallet directly on the lock and presto!!! it opened.

I’ve removed the lock and cleaned it, then soaked again in WD40. Having been re fitted its working fine. I’m now going to WD40 the rest of the door locks and our other A6 too.

Can’t afford to replace the door card until after Xmas.

Hope this will help anyone who has the same problem. If you need a picture of where to cut the door card just PM me.

Cheers
Lee

[peterbythesea]

Hello Snugglebum,
Hopefully I can send this to you directly as I have now have a five post history, Yipeeee!
Same dilema as you my front passenger door won't open. I have drilled and cut a slot in the door near the lock and used the good old wd40, but to no avail. Could you please forward any photos or any further details to help me.

Best Regards,

Peterbythesea.

[snugglebum]

Hi Peter

Have you been able to place a piece of wood directly on the lock mechanism ? With the wood directly on the exposed door lock, tap the other end firmly with a mallet while someone else locks and unlocks the car. I found this the key to knock the deadlock free.

I will post some pictures for you later tonight

Cheers
Lee

[snugglebum]

It doesnt look very pretty but it did the job

DSC00410 (1800 x 1198).jpg
I cut a large hole to expose most of the lock

DSC00409 (1800 x 1198).jpg
Placed the block of wood directly onto the exposed lock

DSC00412 (1800 x 1198).jpg
Hit with mallet while locking / unlocking doors

Hope these help
Cheers
Lee

[peterbythesea]

Lee,
Once again many thanks for posting the photos, I will be trying this weekend to sort out. Will let you know how successful I have been.


Peter.