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The interior light on my 03 Jetta doesn't go on when I open the drivers door. It will when I remove the key, but not when I enter the car. The alarm to let you know you've left your lights on also isn't working; and the other day the car locked me in, and when I put the key in the ignition the alarm went off. They tell me it's the door switch. How do I remove the panel to get at it, and then what is the process to replacing it????
These switches fail sometimes, when this happens the control unit is not aware that you have opened the door
The switch is integral with the lock unit, and they are not easy things to replace either. remove the internal door trim. unplugg the wiring inside. remove the outer key barrel and unhook the cable from the outer handle to the lock unit. unbolt the lock unit. the window regulator will have to be unbolted from the window (remove the 2 plastic circular access panels and wind the window down to a level at which the 2 bolts are visible), lift the window clear once unbolted (using your hands, slide it upwards in its guide rails, stick it in place with tape). once this is done the window regualtor can be unbolted (10 or so bolts) and removed, complete with the door lock.
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If I am remembering correctly, the switch is part of the latch. Each door has its own switch to turn on the interior light, and it sounds like the switch in the driver's door latch is either stuck or junk. If it has to be replaced it is very simple to remove for those that know how, but a nightmare for those that don't. The exterior handle has to be removed to release the pull-cord to the latch, interior trim panel and vapor barrier has to come off. Electrical harness, lock rod, interior handle rod, all have to be removed. Now the latch. Then it all has to go back together, and most importantly, it all has to work. I'm not saying it's not possible. I'm saying that it can ruin your day and your wallet if something goes wrong.
The drivers side door latch is bad. Just replaced one in my daughters 99 beetle. $184 dealer part. same thing no lights then alarm will mgo off for no reason, lights will come on at random times while driving, no chime when key is in.
Open the driver’s door.With a screwdriver or equivalent trip the latch on the door 2 clicks so it is in the locked position, just under that finger get a can of Brakecleen and hose the snot out of it.I mean really firehouse it.As fast as it evaporates I still had it running out of the door drains.Be careful not to get cleaner on the plastic door panel, trust me take extra care. Open the outside door handle to release the latch, then open and shut the door for a while, like a few dozen times, to work the latch.Repeat as necessary.Follow up by shooting some PB Blaster, WD-40 or whatever light lube is handy. If this doesn’t work, give it might take a day or so to work free.If still nothing then the micro switch might actually be broken, but this usually does the trick
you have a bad drivers door latch, the micro switch inside is not telling the computer that the latch has been opened which would normally mean the door is open.
If remote locks and unlocks driver door but does not unlock passenger doors,then follow the advice above: Get in the car using the key to unlock the doors. From the passenger
side lock and unlock your doors using the button on the passenger
door. Get out and the remote should now unlock all the doors with 2
presses. Worked perfectly for me after several other suggestions (and dealer) failed.
Do you have electric locks in the vehicle? One test to do is turn on the car's headlights and open the door. You should hear a chime when you open the driver door. One other thing is to unlock the doors with the remote if you have a remote open the driver door, get in the car but don't put the key in the ignition. The doors might relock after 15-20 seconds. This proves that the door signal open is not being processed. Just tell me what model VW and what year and if you have electric locks and I'll help you.
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