Yes, you need to remove the door panel. First, unscrew both the handles and the armrest. Use a putty knife or something else that's flat to pop the bottom three sides of the panel off. Then bump it with the heel of your hand at the bottom so it will slide upward, out of the window channel. You can unscrew the two mounting screws for the handle assembly when the window is up.

Next, check out Zenon Holtz' site. Lots of good stuff at www.zeebuck.com, but here's the link to his page on unsticking and re-keying the door locks:

http://www.zeebuck.com/bimmers/tech/doorlocks/doorlocks.html





Good luck!
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ClayW
1976 Fjord 2002 Sunroof

Project Blog

"Finish the thing, do it right the first time and drive the son of a bitch!"
-Gray Baskerville on hot rod advice

My car came back from the mechanic today and unfortunately he had the same issue with my car. It was bad prior so I don't hold him responsible. but I do need to fix it now. Thanks for the help.

PS my car runs awsome now!!

I guess it should, now that I replaced the ENTIRE engine from block to distributor.
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75 2002

wow excellent info

thanks Mars

and Clay for the link and pics, super helpful
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Dave in MA
'75 Golf 2002

I remove the door handles without removing the door panel. Just pop out the bottom and trailing edge plastic plugs and reach up inside with a rachet/10mm socket to undue the leading end of the door handle. Guess this might not work if you've got big beefy arms, but I manage OK.

Bob Napier