Door lock problems, electronic now mechanical

[Hachigo87]

Well upon first purchasing my Beetle the door locks seemed to work intermittently. First-off it seemed like both doors with the key just locked and unlocked manually. Later the passenger door would electronically lock & enable the alarm maybe 95% of the time. (Which would also work the power windows up and down). All the while the door lock buttons on the inside of the car never have done anything but make a clicking sound from behind the dash.

Here and there lately the drivers door would work as well. Unfortunately it started working again the other day, but then when I went to come back out and use the lock the next day, it was extremely stiff. Stupidly, I pushed hard enough, and it seemed to have worked. But upon parking the car and closing the door, it beeped once and rolled the windows down, the lock was stuck in unlock. I messed with it enough and got the lock to stay centered, but now it won't even manually lock the doors anymore.

Am I out a lock cylinder and need to suck up the dealer cost to buy a new lock or is there a fix for this? I don't mind the electronic locks not working and me putting myself back to where I was at this point..

Sorry if this is kind of vague, let me know if I can re-clarify anything. Thanks!

[Johnny.M_CZ]

Hello, you can replace microswitches in locks. But - is it okay in car from 1998? I d´rather change whole locks. Search for aftermarket parts. You should get them because VW will charge you a lot of money for original pieces. Microswitches in door locks are common problem in our cars.

Next thing I would check the wiring between doors and coupling station in lower A pillars on both sides. In the black hose between doors and car the wires are known to be broken usually.

[BUGSTUFF]

Our '98 is in the shop for a similar problem - lock cylinder wouldn't spin freely and the key was stuck in the lock. Wouldn't lock/unlock or operate the windows. Finally got the key out.

Dealer ordered a new lock cylinder from Germany - it has to be coded for the car. Part is about $70 plus labor. Waiting since 12-5 for the part to arrive.

[Hachigo87]

After reading around a bit I figured the microswitch was the problem with the electronic part of the locks. But I'm guessing the drivers door lock binding up and not even manually working with the key means I just need a whole new lock cylinder?

[Johnny.M_CZ]

Yes, you should replace the lock cylinder to make it work.

[Hachigo87]

Wanting to look at this again when I have access to a heated garage / it starts getting warmer out.
I found a few writeups about fixing the microswitch, anyone have any experience on tearing apart the lock cylinder, or am I best off just replacing it with a new unit unfortunately?

[beetlebug7]

Originally Posted by Johnny.M_CZ

Yes, you should replace the lock cylinder to make it work.

Do you know were I can buy a new lock cylinder, mine will unlock but not lock....strange.

Any info I would appreciate....thanks

[resa]

I just bought a 2000 beetle. the passenger door will unlock but you have to open it from the inside. Can anyone tell me how to fix this?
thanks

[peanutsmom]

Same here.. Any help? Please and thank you.. My driver door will lock and unlock with me putting key in and locking it but I can not push the driver lock down to lock it. I have to lock it with the key. As for the passanger side I can not do anything with the key I have to manually push lock down and open it from inside. When I lock the driver door and all the locks are locked it does set the alarm but I do not have any key with any remote for the doors or trunk. I call the keys "Valet" keys.. I have a 98 2.0 5 speed. non turbo.

[peanutsmom]

Bump.. Please someone give me some advice?

[Smileybug]

Valet key should set the alarm still. Have you tried the key on the trunk? Mine works it.

I don't think I can manually push down the locks on either door in my car, but I haven't really tried.

[peanutsmom]

The valet key opens my driver door and trunk but not passanger door.. I am wondering as to why my switch in the doors will not lock or unlock the doors?

[Hachigo87]

Well for a while since i could only lock my drivers door manually with the door closed I was rolling the window down, pushing the pin down from outside the car and locking it from the passenger door so I could roll the windows up with the key.

A few weeks ago I went to unlock my passenger door and the key ended up not wanting to come out. Needless to say I had a spare and drove it to a friends shop and I gave up and took the door panel off and I'm pretty sure ended up breaking the lock from within the door. So any suggestions on trying to fix both now?

Do I have to go to a dealer and buy all new lock cylinders set to my keys or do I have an alternative here in which I can just repair the internal locks on what I have with a junkyard set? I'd appreciate any help/guidance, thanks!