Carefully slide the door handle forward. Insert the key into the lock and then turn it 90 degrees to separate the handle from the lock actuating lever. At this point, the handle should come off completely. Install the new door handle and then reassemble the door in the reverse order of removal.
Full Answer
How do you remove the side of a car door handle?
Use a flat head screwdriver, or pocket knife, protected by a cloth so as not to damage the handle, to wedge a gap in between the two pieces of the handle. The side facing into the car will now pop off (picture 1), and reveal a couple Philips head screws.
What to do if your VW MkIV has a jammed lock?
You might need to do this to fix a jammed lock, replace a broken sensor or motor, or install new speakers. I did it personally to install new speakers. Keep in mind that this instructable will for the most part apply to other MkIV Volkswagen models, including Passats and Jettas.
How do you lock a car door with a window slot?
Raise the door panel over the locking mechanism such that it lines up with the hole. This is easiest to do while holding the lock steady from under the panel. Put the top of the door into the window slot where it belongs while lining it up with the lock hole.
Step 1: Remove the Inside Door Handle
This car is built with plastic snaps that keep together a majority of the plastic panels, handles, and latches. The part you grab on the passenger side door has a ridge running down the middle. Use a flat head screwdriver, or pocket knife, protected by a cloth so as not to damage the handle, to wedge a gap in between the two pieces of the handle.
Step 2: Remove Door Panel Screws
You will need a T20 Torx bit to remove 3 screws at the bottom of the door panel, hidden under the edge as pictured. There is also one other sneaky screw on the inside edge of the door, near the top. You will need to open the door as far as possible, and still may have trouble getting an angle at the screw.
Step 3: Mind the Tricky Parts
Once the door panel is completely off and disconnected, do whatever you took the door panel off to do. (DUH)
Step 4: Reassembly
To put your door back together, first reconnect all of the electrical components. Then make sure the door latch hook is put back in the hole in the inside of the inner door latch. Raise the door panel over the locking mechanism such that it lines up with the hole. This is easiest to do while holding the lock steady from under the panel.
The rear hatch lock is coded to the car and must be ordered VIN specific from Volkswagen
That being said if you are having problems with the hatch lock, tumbler or actuator there are many things that can go wrong and not all of them cost money to fix. I recommend that you remove the rear interior panels and find out what is really wrong before you order parts. Please see our article on inner rear panel removal for help.
Project Photos
Figure 1 If you are locked out of your hatch there is no way to access or remove the lock tumbler (red arrow) or handle (yellow arrow) from outside of the vehicle. You will need to remove the inner rear panels to get at the mechanisms.
