I have recently purchased a high millage '99 Passat. Has run really well but has started to cause problems. The central locking was working intermittently and has now all but failed. The fuel lid will not open when the button at the parking brake is pressed. Is there a manual way of opening. I have had the river of rain water into the passenger footwell also. To cap it all, the lowfuel light has just come on..............

I have the same problem. Is there a way to bypass the automatic fuel door button??? Someone please help... Thank you.

I found this link on the door lock microswitch modules. Seems to be a common problem on this model. My car is in the shop as we speak because the remote won't lock the driver door, unless I unlock then lock.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=1542461

I have the same problem to a "T". When you press the remote only one door unlocks and when you try to open the car with the key only the driver door opens. As well when you lock it with the key (have to do this as the remote door lock only works on one door) only the driver door locks (mechanical connection). My fuel door stopped working about the same time. I have the wagon so I had to pull the pannel and first aid kit rack to get at the gas cap release motor and I then stick my finger in there and manually release the the cap. Nothing like having a classy car. I live in a remote area and the nearest dealer is a 4 hour drive.
If you find anything that will help us please post and I will do the same. Cheers Barry

If you have "river of water" in your car its most likely that the comfort control module (under driver feet carpet) is corodded and trash. It controls all the door and window functions as well as the fuel and rear lid release functions.

Thanks for your post veedubmechanic. Where abouts is this unit and how do I get at it to check it out? I have done a search and I can not seem to find any info on it? Thanks again for your help.
Barry

Well I finally got around to hauling the drivers foot well apart to have a look for the CCM and low and behold after some work I found it. I took it apart and it was quite dry in there but I must say that everything else was dripping wet. I started to search all the wires and eventually found a tiny corrosion mark on a piece of tape. I pulled the black cloth tape off and the wires fell apart in my hands. I then started to look more closely and found a few other wires well on their way to breaking off as well. So trusty soldering gun in hand I cut back all the broken wires and spliced in new wires. All I can say is it is nice to have the remote door locks and gas cap release back!!

Does any one have any ideas on how to keep that area dry?

Check for previous posts on this.. there are 10-15