How To: Door panel, window regulator and door latch removal

[jhicken]

Before you go to far, check with your local dealer. A few years ago there was a recall on window regulators. I had a similar issue, one day my passenger window started acting up, grinding and not going all the way up. I grabbed it pulled it up and for a few days it was fine till one day I was driving across some railroad tracks and bam, it dropped. I checked hear and learned about the recall, took it onto my local dealer and they not only replaced the passenger but did the drivers side as well. My NB is a '99 and this was in 2006. I'm also not the original owner but the dealer had no issues with replacing both.

-jeffrey

[gforce1108]

Originally Posted by jhicken

Before you go to far, check with your local dealer. A few years ago there was a recall on window regulators. I had a similar issue, one day my passenger window started acting up, grinding and not going all the way up. I grabbed it pulled it up and for a few days it was fine till one day I was driving across some railroad tracks and bam, it dropped. I checked hear and learned about the recall, took it onto my local dealer and they not only replaced the passenger but did the drivers side as well. My NB is a '99 and this was in 2006. I'm also not the original owner but the dealer had no issues with replacing both.

-jeffrey

I usually hear that it's covered for 7 years. I've never seen the official dealer information on it, but I thought it was for the clips that retain the window to the regulator, not for the regulator itself (I could be wrong though). It's certainly worth asking the dealer if it's covered.

[ChuckDubDub]

I had to replace my door latch module, and this write up was invaluable. Combined with these illustrations (see vwvortex link below), I can't say it was a piece of cake, but certainly do-able.

VWvortex Forums: MKIV door locks explained - why you're having problems!!!

[warren]

on the way back from the gas station tonight i discovered i'll need this how-to.

nice write up.

[The NEW Ringo]

You gave me curage to do the repair with your little didy.. Thanks alot my window is fixed two hours later and $64.00 poorer from the dealer for the metal clips and cable. Great write up thanks for taking your time to help us all out..

Marc

[Aelic]

Has anyone ever had a problem with there door handle popping out when you try to open it? It seems like something is broken like a tab or something that holds the handle in so it doesnt come out to far....

I have pictures on a post here....

Broken Handle on my Passenger Side?

[maxiav]

Is there a way to know if it's he motor or the window regulator what I need?

[stock474]

Great thread! I am about to replace the regulator on my driver's window but the glass is in the full down position. How do you get to the two screws holding the window in place if the window is in the down position. Do you know if there is a way to raise the window?
Thanks!!

[Benny4Jesus]

Doing this for a single mom/friend. This is AWESOME! The little tricks are the time killers and this helped a ton! God's grace on ya man! -Benny

[mlt]

Before putting everything back together I decided to check door lock assembly. Repaired microswitch sensed door state correctly and the light came up, however no other electric things worked

I am unable to "lock/unlock" the car by "key" (screwdriver). If I use key fob, nothing happens with the lock (motor should lock it). I cannot lower passenger's window (I didn't install driver's window system at this moment).

Should the battery be disconnected all the time while I'm taking the door apart? I thought that there was no smart electronics in the door just switches, bulbs, actuator. I don't see any malfunction lights on the dash. I have no OBD2 scanner at hand right now.

I took the door apart and replaced that 4th microswitch with RadioShack's one. Since the counterpart was worn out, I left that metal bar that come with RadioShack's switch and glued it in reverse since there was no space left for drilling and I was lazy to do that. Since this thread is not particularly about the 4th door lock microswitch, I posted pics in original tdiclub's thread http://forums.tdiclub.com/showpost.p...&postcount=346

Do you have any idea what might be wrong? I don't want to start putting everything back now, since I won't be able to rise window regulator to secure clips.

[mlt]

Bummer! I missed the thing that there is the door control module near the window actuator. I guess electrics doesn't work since I didn't connect that module, but just door lock assembly itself. Is there a chance that I damaged control module while taking the door apart with battery connected? I just really don't want to put everything back together without being sure that everything is working as expected. The problem is that wire harness is quite short to check everything without actually installing... oh well.

[Tesla]

Check the fuses

[mlt]

Everything is working fine after I connected door control module :-)

I was scared when I was unable to lift the window all the way up to check if it goes smooth before securing bolts. Then I realized that it does go all the way up if I turn the ignition on. I'm not sure if it is expected behavior.

[jayzvw]

This has been BY FAR the BEST DIY guide with awesome pictures. Saved me a fortune!! Next... passenger side! Thanks a million!!!!!!!!!!!!

[armandjones82]

This was a nice DIY on the door panel, window regulator and door latch removal. I think when you purchase a good Door Panel, a Window Regulator Kit and a Door Latch after removing it, things will go well and it will be a good car or a vehicle as a whole. Great job creating this DIY!

[gforce1108]

Originally Posted by jayzvw

This has been BY FAR the BEST DIY guide with awesome pictures. Saved me a fortune!! Next... passenger side! Thanks a million!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are more than welcome... I don't get around here all that often anymore - too many other things going on. I just did a turbo swap (vnt15 for KP39 that was originally on my Jetta) on my beetle and should have documented it more. Not exactly plug and play

[bobs98veedub]

I would have to agree on the posting. It helped out very much!! Just did this on my daughters car this weekend and without this posting I would nave been lost! Now she can lock her car at school and not have to worry about stolen stuff.

Thanks again,
Bob

[added]

Excellent write up and pics. did the job yesterday in less than 2hours at a nice comfortable pace. Saved 300.00.

dave

[BeetleBug310674Miles]

I have replaced regulators numerous times on my 99 vw beetle. This time I couldn't afford to have the dealer fix it so I bought the kit from parts geek. Due to the fact there were NO instructions, my dad just started pulling things off and sticking the new pieces on... needless to say, didnt work out so well. The "spool" which has a spring and winds up came unwound. I now know that the reason there is a metal bracket is to prevent this. Is there any way to fix this or do I need to buy an entirely new kit? ):

[imsos04]

I absolutely MUST say thank you so much for these GREAT writeups . Sunkisd's driver's door latch microswith went bad all of a sudden (he "thought" the door was closed even when it wasn't) and I got ready to pay the 'stealership' more than $500 to replace it. But, then I came across this (and many other) VERY helpful how-to's that gave me the confidence to do it myself (I NEVER would have guessed I could!). I just finished and everything is working fine. My appointment was for tomorrow (not a moment too soon). In the end I only had to pay $140 for the new latch assembly. I am sooooo happy!! I must say I love how Beetle owners team up and help each other and avoid paying such RIDICULOUSLY high prices!!

P.S. Even though Sunkisd is a vert, everything was pretty much the same, except one thing - the rear window bolt had to be removed (not just loosen it) - just for all the NBC owners out there.. I found this website that breaks down how to do this with a vert http://www.vwwebsource.com/vwtechsou...ssp/861303.pdf. This website, along with this great how-to, helped me A LOT.