Questions and Answers

Volkswagen Jetta GLS Door Panels Q. HELP! I have a 1996 Volkswagen Jetta GLS, 2.0 liter, automatic transmission and 185,000. The transmission has a slow leak that my mechanic cannot find. He has replaced the seals, reset the pan gasket/filter screen, tightened everything up. It leaks down in about one month time and then starts slipping to let me know fluid is low. Runs great when fluid is normal.

Also, I have the same drivers side window problem you addressed for someone else (re: window falling down into the door.) I probably can do this myself, but how do I get the panel off? Does it have plastic snap-in buttons on the backside of the panel that push into holes in the metal to hold it? If so, can these be bought an replaced; I assume they will become stripped once pulled out.

On this same door, the outside lock cylinder does not work. It seems that a retaining ring or something has come off and the cylinder spins and spins with out locking the door. I can put in my key and pull in all of the way out. How hard would this be to replace? Can do it when the inside door panel is off? Approximate cost?

Please help. I went to a Volkswagen Jetta dealer and cannot afford them and no one else wants to touch a Volkswagen Jetta. Other than these aggravating problems, the car looks good and runs well.

Thanks!
Gary
North Georgia

A. There are not too many places a transmission can leak. And if he cleans the transmission and rechecks it a couple of weeks later, the leak should be easy enough to spot. Without seeing it, I can't really tell you where it's leaking and it seems that he has gone through everything. Have him look at the fittings on the radiator, it may be leaking there.

The door panel is not all that difficult to remove. If the plastic clips should strip or break, they are readily available at the Volkswagen dealer.

1. Cover ¤ Clipped into door/door pull	2. Cover ¤ For vehicles with power windows ¤ Clipped into door/door pull
3. Cover plate ¤ Pull off of door frame (clipped)	4.Insulating plate
5. Screw ¤ To secure door handle ¤ Quantity: 6	6. Trim piece ¤ According to equipment level, with LED
7. Door trim panel	8. Securing clip ¤ Two- piece
9. Screw ¤ To secure door tray ¤ Quantity: 6	10. Door tray ¤ Secured by screws through rear of trim ¤ Speaker mounted to door tray
11. Speaker cover ¤ To remove press down retaining lugs using screwdriver through opening in door tray (arrow)	12. Screw
13. Door handle ¤ Secured by screw through rear of trim	14. Control knob ¤ Connected on inside opener plate

Once you have the door panel off, you will see the lock cylinder. From what you describe it sounds like the lock cylinder is bad. Lock Cylinder P/N 1H0837061F $10.25. I would recommend spending a couple of dollars more and take the old and new lock cylinder to a locksmith and she can re-key the new one to use the same key. Then you won't have two different keys to worry about.