I HAVE AN O3 PASSAT, WHEN THE OUTSIDE AIR TEMP IS BELOW ABOUT 12 DEGREES(MOST MORNINGS HERE IN THE ADIRONDACK FALL & WINTER) THE DRIVERS DOOR WILL OPEN BUT WILL NOT STAY SHUT. A HAIR DRYER DIRECTED AT THE LATCH FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES GETS IT TO WORK. OF COURSE IF YOU GO ANYWHERE AND THE TEMP DOESN’T WARM UP YOU ARE IN TROUBLE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE CAR IS A 5 SPEED. HARD TO DRIVE, HOLD THE DOOR AND SHIFT AT THE SAME TIME. TRIED FREE ALL SPRYED INTO THE LATCH BUT DID NOT HELP. ANY SUGGESTIONS? ALREADY HAVE BUNGY CORDS BUT NEED A MORE PERMANENT SOLUTION. CAR ONLY HAS 37K ON IT.
I suggest liberally spraying WD-40 into the mechanism at the door’s edge, then “working” it some. WD-40 should dissipate the moisture and leave a bit of lube.
Cleaning the latch mechanism and then lightly rre-tubing it should take care of it.
BTW ALL CAPS are considered shouting and are difficult for most people to read.
have tried that sveral times, VW technical advise from dealer says that wont work because latch mechanism is basically sealed, suggests replacing latch to the tune of $300.00 (guestimate)