What often happens on the older door latch mechanism is the tiny spring
inside that holds the button either up or down breaks. Then gravity
makes the button drop down, into the locked position. But you can still
open the door using the key to hold the button up while you pull down on
the handle. The spring is inside of a sealed assembly and not trivial to
access.

There is a simple workaround it this turns out to be your problem. Just
get a piece of hose or tubing that snugly fits over the button shaft.
Push it against the door. That friction will hold the button up instead
of the dead spring.

Mark

David Moyal wrote:
> Advice needed on 2 fronts: (1) sliding door on my '83 vanagon  broke
> yesterday - unlocked it, pulled handle down to open, something went "snap"
> and handle wouldn't pull down. So - door is "
> locked" closed. I pulled the panel today, and plan to attack the latch
> mechanism tomorrow. (2) I once again tried searching the (?) "spare" list
> archives for info & get as far as (in this case) item 58, doors & body. No
> response to search terms...what am I doing wrong? Where should I be looking
> for searchable archives? Thanks much, volks. David
> '83 diesel Westy (AAZ convert)
> '61 BMW R69S
> and too much other old junk to mention....
>