Why Your VW Door Won't Open

Years later and this video is still saving people money and sanity. Thank you

Thank you for this video. Four years ago I got a mechanic to remove this clip from both passenger and driver front doors after the passenger door got stuck and wouldn’t open from outside or inside. The door handle pull didn’t feel much different afterwards but the door didn’t get stuck again ... until last week. So I revisited your video comments and other sites mentioning this problem. This morning, after days of thinking about the problem, I just walked up to my 2011 Touran, unlocked it, opened the window of the offending door, reached in, pulled the interior handle and pulled the exterior handle at the same time. Voila! The handle clicked and the door now opens again. Now to trade the car in before it happens again. Hope this helps someone out there.

Thank you for this. It helped. That spring that serves no purpose is sort of a "programming spring", it used only the first time you install a fresh module, you hook the latch into place with it. When you lock the car the first time it determines the length of the cable, so you wouldn't get too much free play. When first unlocking the car with the new module, it snaps free, in the position it is in in this video, you will hear it do so, it's pretty loud. Then you can get rid of it, the next time you open up the door, if need be. Just in case anyone was wondering what the purpose of that spring is.

Thanks! I drove around for 2 days with a door I couldn't open. 30 seconds and it was fixed. Good thinking.

Hi Jon Thanks for the vid. Sorry if i'm repeating an earlier comment, but the spring that you removed and discarded is the very thing that presets the position of the handle pull mechanism so you dont have to push it with a thin screwdriver. With pliers, move the spring untill it locates in the hook on the lever. This holds it firmly in place while you are connecting the cable to the handle and releases itself automatically when you operate the door handle for the fist time. That's what it's there for. Cheers Martin

Great video. This just happened to me. You saved me several hundred dollars from the dealership ! Thank you !

This helped me with a 2009 Porsche Cayenne where the right rear door would not open from the inside or outside. 1 and 1/2 days of trying all sorts of solutions (remove inner panel, cut large holes in the regulator plate, and undo door hinges etc.) , came across this video. Was able to pull the metal clip out and the door opened! Thank you!

Jon- Thank you so much. My 98 Beetle's drivers door would not open inside or out. Your video was the only one that made sense . Popped right open.

Saved my day. Opened my jammed VW Passat 2005 passenger door today with this tip using a hacksaw blade at the inside of the window. Thank you.

Wonderful, thanks. My tiguan exterior drivers for handle malfunctions when cold. This explains it, and I think this is my issue. Thank you for the clear explanation. Great instructional video.

You saved me hours of frustration! I could not get the door open - either handle would not work. This solved it. Thank you.

Thank you so much man! I have lost several hours from my life, trying to figure it out why this shitty mechanism isn't working normally. After watching your video, I have to disconnect the tiny strand, attached to the outside lock. After that, the door was able to be opened. Probably, last time when I had it connected was too tight. So now I have to tune it more precisely. Thanks again and long life to guys like you! :-)

YOU are the man. I changed the lock to an "EBAY" lock and was never able to open the door. I took a verry lonk but not so high kitchen knife. After a little force at the part where the bowden is connected, o could open the door. Takes only around 5 minutes :-) I´m driving a VW Touran 1. Many thanks for this video!!! Great - Greetings from Germany!

Brilliant video. I just spent most of my morning taking the door apart and investigating the problem to no avail, then came on YouTube and did your screwdriver trick, instant fix!

Top video saved me banging my door handle every time i wanted to open it . It was really starting to get on my nerves

You've just saved me a lot of money and hassle, many thanks!

Thanks this helped me out. After fitting new after market actuator door kept sticking closed and couldn't open with outer or inner handle. I removed the pin and it's now fixed.

We've been having this problem on our VW Polo. Thanks for the helpful video.

A million likes for you sir, just saved me easily upwards of $500 now I can continue to replace my window.

Best MK4 door problem advice found so far,spit on bro 👊✔️