tried door handle fix, power locks not working

[PlanZero]

After prying my door open due to extreme cold and ice, my handle doesn't work properly. It has too much play, and doesn't unlatch until I pull it all the way up. Tried an eBay replacement, same problem. So I tried the easy fix: placing a small bolt and nut into the slot on the lever rod (as described in various threads and you tube videos). It worked great, and the door opened with a halfway pull of the handle like it's supposed to. But my power locks won't work like this. I hit the button and it won't lock on the repaired side. I hear the actuator buzzing but it won't lock. I had to remove the bolt for now and deal with the loose handle. Has anyone else who's tried this repair encountered this?

 

[NY 95 TSI AWD]

I've had that happen to me. The bolt was a hair to big and caused the lock mechanism to bind up. I ended up finding a bolt just big (wide) enough to open the handle enough, but just small enough not to cause the locks to bind.

 

[PlanZero]

Hmm. Guess I have to try a smaller bolt. I think I used a 10mm bolt, as described in the you tube video. However, my handle isn't completely shot so I'll have to try something smaller. Can I even do this with the handle still attached, or do I have to remove it again? It was a PITA just getting the ill fitting bolt off.

 

[NY 95 TSI AWD]

I did it with the handle on. The passenger side wasn't too bad to do. The driver side sucked. You would think with a new handle, everything would just work fine, but that would be too easy .

I used a plastic wall anchor and then put the screw in it, so I didn't have to worry about getting a nut on the back of a bolt.

 

[PlanZero]

Genius!