1997 Volkswagen Jetta Driver Side Door Lock Switch

500VDC

MEMBER
1997 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
115,000 MILES

A friend with a 97 Jetta suddenly had her driver side door key fail to unlock the door. This was after it was in the shop for a coil module changeout. So, the car was at room temperature for half a day, then out into 0 deg. F weather overnight. Locked fine that night with the key. Next morning, the key would not do anything in the drivers door. She was able to get the passenger side door key to open the locks.

Are the door locks electrical only? If the battery is dead, is there no mechanical way to unlock the door?

Since the passenger side door will unlock the drivers door, the electric lock actuator must be OK.

Not sure why the driver side lock switch would fail with a very big temperature drop. Does this sound like a cold temperature problem? Or, is it possible the door key switch has a loose connection suddenly?

Any insight is greatly appreciated!

Matt
Muskegon, MI

1 Reply

15973

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Have had our 1997 Jetta GLX for 11 years, and EVERY winter the drivers side door freezes, and won't open from inside or outside. VW service depts are aware of this problem, but their fix is not to wash any of these models in the winter! Water gets inside door on lock mechanism, freezes, and renders it inoperable.

The only 3 ways to thaw are park in a heated garage for 24hrs, aim a torpedo heater at the door (not too close so you bubble the paint), or enter from an operating door, climb over, and take the car for a 1/2 hour drive with heater on high.

Good luck!
15973