How to Remove Left Side Door Panel in a 1999 Jetta

In 1980, Volkswagen introduced the Jetta, which was little more than a four-door version of the automakers Rabbit. Throughout the years, however, the Jetta became more refined, and earned itself the title of best-selling Volkswagen in America. The 1999 Jetta, whose name refers to the Atlantic jet stream, according to VW, was fresh off a complete redesign. Removing and installing the left side door panel is nearly the same procedure, whether you are working on the front or rear door panel.

Instructions

Front Door Panel Removal

1

Look under the pull handle the handle you pull to close the door and find the small trim panel. Pry this trim panel outward with a flat-head screwdriver and remove the panel, exposing the screws behind it.

2

Pry upward on the window switch and pull handle assembly with a flat-head screwdriver to disengage its retaining clips, then pull upward so you can access the power window switch wiring. Press and hold the unlocking button on the window switch wiring harness, then unplug the harness. Remove the window switch and pull handle assembly.

3

Remove the six door panel screws three behind where the window switch and pull handle assembly was installed and three on the bottom of the door panel with a Phillips-head screwdriver.

4

Pry around the perimeter of the door panel using a trim tool to disengage the retaining clips. Pull upward on the door panel to free it from the window trim, then pull the door panel away from the door just enough to access the door handle linkage on the rear.

5

Pry the cable guide from the door trim with a flat-head screwdriver. Pull the cable hook from the door handle.

6

Disconnect any remaining wiring harnesses for the speaker or power mirror, as applicable.

Front Door Panel Installation

7

Pull the window slot seal the rubber squeegee-like seal on top of the window slot upward and off the door. This allows the door panel to slide on easier.

8

Hook the door latch cable over the door handle and slide the cable guide back into place on the door trim. Plug the power mirror and speaker wiring harnesses into their respective receptacles, where applicable.

9

Press the top of the door panel onto the door, then align the retaining clips on the rear of the door panel with the holes in the door. Lightly tap around the perimeter of the door panel to engage the retaining clips.

10

Align the staggered tabs on the window slot seal with the top edge of the door and press the window slot seal downward to seat it on that edge.

11

Install the six door panel screws and tighten them with a Phillips-head screwdriver.

12

Plug the wiring harness into the power window switch. Line up the clips on the bottom of the switch and pull handle assembly with the slots in the door panel, and press the assembly downward to engage the clips.

13

Line up the retaining clips on the rear of the small trim panel with its slots in the door panel, just below the switch and pull handle assembly, and press the trim panel toward the panel to lock it into place.

Rear Door Panel Removal

14

Pry the cover from the pull handle with a flat-head screwdriver, exposing two screws under it.

15

Remove the six door panel screws two in the pull handle, three on the bottom of the door panel and one in the upper front corner using a Phillips-head screwdriver. .

16

Follow steps 4 through 6 in the section titled Front Door Panel Removal to remove the door panel, except substitute the power window switch wiring harness removal in place of the power mirror wiring harness in step 6, as the rear door doesn't have a mirror.

Rear Door Panel Installation

17

Follow step 1 through 5 in the section titled Front Door Panel Installation to mount the door panel onto the door, except substitute plugging in the power window harness with plugging in the power window harness, as the rear door does not have a mirror.

18

Align the pull handle trims retaining clips with their slots in the pull handle.

19

Press the trim onto the pull handle to lock it into place.