How to Remove a 1998 Jetta Driver's Side Door Panel

The drivers door panel on a 1998 Volkswagen Jetta contains the door handle, speaker and accessory control knobs. This panel is secured to the door skeleton with a combination of plastic retaining pins and steel screws. The door panel must be removed to gain access to the interior door components such as the window motor and door handle mechanism. To prevent damage to the door panel and door skeleton, the door panel fasteners and supporting trim pieces must be removed in a specific sequence.

Instructions

Removal

1

Pry off the cover clipped into the door pull handle using a flat-head screwdriver. Vehicles equipped with power windows have a slightly smaller pull handle cover, but the removal process is the same.

2

Pull the triangular side mirror interior cover piece off of the door panel. Remove the insulating plate underneath the side mirror cover piece.

3

Remove the six screws holding the door handle to the door skeleton using a Phillips screwdriver. Locate the window crank, if equipped, in the center of the door panel. Remove the window crank retaining clip on the shaft of the window crank using a flat-head screwdriver. Remove the window crank from the door.

4

Locate the LED trim piece, if equipped, on the top left edge of the door panel. Insert a flat-head screwdriver in between the LED trim piece and the door panel. Pry the LED trim piece out of the door panel and disconnect its electrical connector.

5

Insert a putty knife in between the door panel and the door skeleton. Work around the circumference of the panel, gently prying the door panel away from the door skeleton in order to separate the retaining clips from the skeleton. Grip the door panel with two hands and lift the panel directly up to separate the upper door panel flange from the leading edge of the door skeleton. Reach around to the back side of the door panel and disconnect the electrical connectors for the speaker and power window/lock switch controls. Remove the door panel from the vehicle.

Installation

6

Reconnect the electrical connectors for the speaker and power window and lock switch controls, if equipped.

7

Align the door panel with the door so the plastic retainers in the door panel line up with the panel retaining holes in the door. Press the door panel onto the door so the retainers enter the retaining holes. Tap around the circumference of the door panel with a rubber mallet to fully seat the door panel retaining pins.

8

Reconnect the LED trim pieces electrical connector, if equipped, and reinstall the LED trim panel piece into the door panel.

9

Reinstall the window crank, if equipped, onto the window crank shaft and push the retaining clip down onto the back of the shaft until it locks into place. Reinstall the door handle cover onto the door handle by aligning it with the door handle and pressing down until it snaps into place.

10

Position the door handle onto the door panel and reinstall the six door handle retaining screws using a Phillips screwdriver. Reinstall the insulating plate behind the side view mirror and reinstall the triangular side mirror cover piece.