Open Passenger Door on 03 Passat

[Roy B]

Although I am a Forum member for almost a year, this is my first question. I have a problem at present with the front passenger door of my 2003 VW Passat 1.9TDI 130BHP 1896cc diesel saloon with Comfortline spec., which I cannot open either by the outside or inside handles and it doesn't matter if I attempt to open or close the door using the button on the key or by operating the key in the driver's door lock.

I have spoken to my mechanic who is a diesel expert with over 30 years experience, but is not a VW Main Dealer. He said he spoke to the service manager at a main dealer to ask about how he could open the door. The service manager said that they have come across this problem many times and their solution is to place a long length of 3" X 3" timber (that goes across the 2 seats and through the open drivers door) against the inside of the passenger door near the lock and to hit the timber very hard with a sledge hammer from outside the driver's door. My mechanic was not sold on this approach and he intends trying to remove the door card after removing the passenger seat and thereby gaining access to the lock to open the door. I am not happy with this approach either as I am sure that the door card will be damaged and will never be right after.

Can anyone offer some good advice on first opening the door with as little damage as possible and secondly the best method of resolving the problem with the locking mechanism.

I would really appreciate you help.

Roy B

[passat 130 tdi]

try taking the earth off the battery for a while , it may just reboot the module . long shot but worth a punt.

[Hex69]

Also, I've heard people that have got it free by holding the handle open and thumping repeatedly with their fist on the door where the lock is.

Have a search for this on here, whilst it's not a common problem, it does sometime happen.

[martin1810]

The service manager is having a laugh. If none of the handles work you can sometimes get the fob to do the job. You constantly bang on the door near the handle on the inside or outside whilst pressing the fob button. This often jars the lock undone. Also removing the trim and door shield is ok and won't hurt the car....Promise.

[Roy B]

Also, I've heard people that have got it free by holding the handle open and thumping repeatedly with their fist on the door where the lock is.

Have a search for this on here, whilst it's not a common problem, it does sometime happen.

You won't believe this but just before we started to remove the door card, I tried the inside handle one last time and ...........yes, it opened. I could not believe it. Thank you so much for your assistance. Roy B

[Roy B]

The service manager is having a laugh. If none of the handles work you can sometimes get the fob to do the job. You constantly bang on the door near the handle on the inside or outside whilst pressing the fob button. This often jars the lock undone. Also removing the trim and door shield is ok and won't hurt the car....Promise.

You won't believe this but just before we started to remove the door card, I tried the inside handle one last time and............yes, it opened. Thank you so much for your assistance. Roy B

[Roy B]

try taking the earth off the battery for a while , it may just reboot the module . long shot but worth a punt.

You won't believe this but just before we started to remove the door card, I tried the inside handle one last time and............yes, it opened. Unbelievable!!! Thank you so much for your assistance. Roy B