I did something quite similar to Edward when the key failed to turn the
lock from the outside... But when the kids grew up about 8 and 10, they
asked *"What's this red cord?.. can I pull it?" *while I was driving. The
next day I got the lock repaired  by a locksmith and removed the cord. :-)

On Mon, Mar 28, 2022 at 11:46 AM Edward Maglott <emaglott3@gmail.com> wrote:

> I used a pretty low tech approach.  Not very pretty but effective.  I hope
> you can see these photos that explain what I did.
>
> https://photos.app.goo.gl/eaEW6To6q7mxiYDPA
>
> Edward
>
> On Mon, Mar 28, 2022 at 2:00 PM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Here's another link on the same topic
> >
> > https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=352626
> >
> > On Mon, Mar 28, 2022 at 7:57 AM Jack R <jack007@comcast.net> wrote:
> >
> > > Found this on TheSamba
> > > https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=677329
> > >
> > > Great idea to use Bike Cable
> > >
> > > I'm going to do a hybrid of Jim's suggestions and the door handle in
> > > TheSamba.
> > >
> > > Thanks for sharing this wonderful idea.
> > >
> > > Jack
> > >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf
> > > Of John Rodgers
> > > Sent: Monday, March 28, 2022 7:18 AM
> > > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > > Subject: Re: VAN Rear Inside Hatch Opener
> > >
> > > Awesome, thanks!
> > >
> > > On Sun, Mar 27, 2022 at 6:04 PM Jim. Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com>
> > wrote:
> > >
> > > > John, there has been a lot posted about it, and I did mine long ago
> so
> > I
> > > > will try and remember. When it is light enough tomorrow I will try to
> > > send
> > > > you a picture of where the wire goes through the inside hatch sheet
> > > metal,
> > > > that is the one of two holes you have to drill. A picture will keep
> you
> > > > from having to make a couple of trial holes like i did. They are tiny
> > > > though, and they are hidden by the rear mattress unless you look up
> at
> > > the
> > > > inside of the door with the hatch open.
> > > >
> > > > 1. Acquire a bicycle brake cable at a bike shop. It will have a small
> > > > piece of metal swaged onto the end of it that will act as a stop.
> Pick
> > > up a
> > > > small cable clamp. I don't remember where mine came from but I doubt
> it
> > > was
> > > > a bike shop, probably Ace or Home Depot. Pick up a garage door pull
> > > handle
> > > > or whatever you want to use as a pull handle. The poly garage door
> pull
> > > > handle is safe on things if you shut the hatch with something in the
> > way,
> > > > and it is easy to find in the dark. I think I took mine of the
> > emergency
> > > > release on my garage door and replaced it with something else like a
> > lawn
> > > > mower pull handle.
> > > >
> > > > 2. Remove your rear door card.
> > > >
> > > > 3. Work from inside the car. Examine the mechanism to locate the
> metal
> > > > piece that, when pulled (from the inside, or pushed by the button
> from
> > > the
> > > > outside) and punch a dimple and drill a hole through it large enough
> > for
> > > > the brake cable to pass through but not large enough for the swaged
> end
> > > to
> > > > fit through. Insert the cut end of the brake cable through the hole
> > from
> > > > the inside.
> > > >
> > > > 4. Going by the picture I send or your own good sense, drill another
> > hole
> > > > through the inside door sheet metal that will allow the new hole to
> > align
> > > > as closely as possible with the first hole you drilled. The idea is
> to
> > > give
> > > > the cable a fair pull without a lot of angle that could make it stick
> > or
> > > > wear the cable out easily. Lead the cut end of the cable through the
> > rear
> > > > hatch sheet metal hole you just drilled and test it to make sure it
> > works
> > > > by pulling on the wire to ensure it will release the hatch lock.
> > > >
> > > > 5. Use the small cable clamp and the handle of choice to affix the
> > handle
> > > > to the end of the cable and trim the cable.
> > > >
> > > > 6. Refit the rear hatch card.
> > > >
> > > > This works the same on all years and all styles as far as I know.
> > > >
> > > > Jim
> > > >
> > > > On Sun, Mar 27, 2022 at 1:09 PM John Rodgers <jrodgers113@gmail.com>
> > > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > >> Jim, I have an electric lock but the driver motor is mechanically
> > > >> disconnected from the lock. Don't plan on putting it back that way.
> > >  Can
> > > >> you better describe your solution? Or send a picture. It could be
> > that I
> > > >> have a different lock.
> > > >>
> > > >> Planning to come your way one of these days for a visit now that I
> > have
> > > >> my van back. Be nice to see you again.
> > > >>
> > > >
> > >
> >
>