Driver door will not open using inside door handle. outside handle works fine. its almost like the door lock lever is set to lock, no real resistance when pulling lever. pulled door panel and everything looks fine at handle end, but cant see latch end since there appears to be inside a cover assembly. any ideas?

Their is a rod that runs from inside handle to a lever that pulls up on the latch mechanism. The outside handle has a rod that runs to the same place, what I have seen is the rod running from lever to mechanism come loose at the mechanism and neither handle will work.

handles may be in good condition but the lever on the latch itself may have came loose. your mostlikley looking at dismantelling the apolsery with the door closed to rectify it.

Remove the door trim and reattach the rod/ lever that has come out of the fitting of the latch.

the inside of the handle break off remove it you will see it

It sounds like it could be the plastic connecting bit that links the outside door lever to the rod that operates the door mechanism, has broken or become disconnected. To check, you will need to remove the trim on the inside of the door, after removing any screws and the inside door lever and window winder. However now that the child safety lock has been set it could be very difficult to get the door open.
All I can suggest is that you look at the other rear door to locate the position of the safety tab and then try to disengage it by using a suitable thin blade or something on your bad door so that you can again use the inside lever.

Once you have the inside trim off and the plastic sheet, you will see an access hole for the door mechanism and the outside operating handle of the door. It should be attached to the actuating rod by the aforementioned plastic bit. If plastic bit appears OK try re-attaching it or replacing it if broken. If the part of the outside handle which attaches to the rod is broken the handle will need replacing.

You didn't mention if the inside release works. Typically there are little rods and levers involved and something comes loose. If you find a rod off, do something, as it will want to pop off again, only sooner. Sometimes you find broken plactic and you need to get a new part.

It is annoying to get into the door if neither inside or outside will release the door.

Some doors are affected by pulling on a lever, near the time unlock button was pushed... If lock, and unlock )with no levers being pulled (by you)) does not release it, surgery is next step.

It sounds like the plastic connecting bit that links the outside door lever to the rod, that operates the door mechanism, has broken or become disconnected. To check, you will need to remove the trim on the inside of the door, after removing any screws and the inside door lever. However now that the child safety lock has been set it could be very difficult to get the door open.
All I can suggest is that you look at the other rear door to locate the position of the safety tab and then try to disengage it by using a suitable thin blade or something on your bad door so that you can again use the inside lever.
Once you have the inside trim off and the plastic sheet, you will see an access hole for the door mechanism and the outside operating handle of the door. It should be attached to the actuating rod by the aforementioned plastic bit. If plastic bit appears OK try re-attaching it or replacing it if broken. If the part of the handle which attaches to the rod is broken, the handle will need replacing.

since it is the drivers front door it could be the outside door handle , the rod that goes from the handle to the lock asbly or the lock asbly its self take the door trim panel off and then loos inside the door and latch the door with the door open. open the door with the outside door handle and watch the rod and the lever that the rod is pushing down the lever might not be pushing the lever down far enough to release the lock. If the lock does not open try pushing down on the lever and see if the lock releases if it does ck the outside door handle for cracks along the hinges of the handle I have found that most of the time that it is the outside door handle cracked and the rod is not moving the lever far enough to release the lock.

I have the same car, same problem. I've still not been able to fix it, despite taking the inside panels off the rear doors, checking the rods were seated, applying WD-40 to the lock mechanisms, and manually working the mechanism. Child locks are not engaged, but I tried putting them on and off too. Just won't open.

Hi.
Heat will not help and can damage the door lock mechanism further.
You can try lubing the door lock, but I do not thing it will help. I think there may be something wrong with the mechanism, or you will get the same problem from outside and inside.
If the door is opening from the inside , then the door lock mechanism My still be working. On VW the outer handle is connected to the lock by a steel wire, or by a metal shaft.
To access the door lock you need to remove the internal door panel. The door panel is held by hidden screws located on handles and by a set of clips located behind the panel near to the panel border.
I have service manual for several VW models, I will see if I can find the manual for 1995-1997 Passat and I will eventually send the diagrams to undo the door and access the lock.