Broken Door Lock

Hi all,

The driver side door handle lock broke on my 97 Cabrio. I stuck in the key and the cylinder just kept turning around and around and then came out of the barrel with the key.

I called the VW Stealer and they said they have an improved replacement lock (which has 5 pieces) that they will install for $130us. The guy suggested it would be a fairly tedious job and best left for the garage. They would key the lock to fit the ignition key.

The other route would be to buy new door handles on line that contain keyed locks with keys. I could get each handle /w lock for under $20us. However then I have to live with 2 car keys.

Has anyone DIY this problem? My bentley manual is in the mail and I don't know if it will cover door handle locks.

Any info will help.
Thanks

The locks are not that big of a deal. Contact a local locksmith and they should be able to help you without raping your wallet.

It is easy to fix just a littlte tedious. The part that brakes is a shaft two inches about in length with a blade on one end and a hook on the other end with a sping. First pry off the forward plastic on the inside by your mirror. Then unscreww the door lock knob. Then carefully pry under the armrest to remove the armrest. Remove the two screws under the arm rest.Then you need to kind of get agressive, start at the bottom of the door and pull the plastic panel towards the inside of the car. You more or less have to pry under neath the door interior trim. Then yank at the plastic. The trim hardware will not release unless you pull hard. If you break some of the plastic retainers go to VW and get a few new ones. None of the one's I removed broke. Put the window in the up position. Then you can either remove the battery terminals or pully the window relay or if your real carefull the window will not retract on you. I recommend pulling the car battery terminals. The shaft is right behind the door lock. It will be still there wedgeded into the door white plastic lock module. Remove the door handle by removing the screw in the door jam. Remove your lock and handle. Their is a spring that goes between the shaft and the door lock. It falls to the bottom of the door fish it out and reuse it. get the new shaft then reassemble what you took apart above. Happy Driving