Hi and apologies if I missed a relevant thread but can't find the answer to this anywhere.

My Mk3 five door GL TDI driver's door will not open either from outside or inside.

The key works the lock in manual mode, the button goes up and down, but that's all. Passenger door lock needs a new key cylinder, (which I have a kit for but not fitted), so ATM the only way in is open the boot, pull up passenger side button, open pass. door and slide across. One of the few times I've been glad its an auto.

I can lock the car manually, using the key to lock the boot last. Ive looked through lots of you tube videos but none seem right for the car. Tried poking a bent wire in the handle as per one video but couldn't find anything to hook onto release it.

With the door in closed mode, I can't get into it at all, so I figure VW must have a release mechanism somewhere, they think of everything, right?

Needless to say, any advice would be a major improvement.