Interior door latch cable snapped..

[TheRedGlacier]

So as I opened my door yesterday after work (from the inside handle) I heard a pop, and the door barely opened (still latched but not shut).. So I rolled down the window and opened the handle from the outside. Removed the door panel, pulled the cable, and sure enough, it snapped. Problem is now I can't figure out how to get the other end out of the latch. I was going to pull the front passenger cable, and swap it while I was getting a new cable. I can't find a DIY anywhere just to remove the inside cable, and I can't find the part number. Only finding one for a B6 A4. Dealer wants $54... Uh no. Anyway there is maybe 1.5" of cable left on the latch side. Here's a picture of what I managed to get out.

[ElSabio182]

Pic doesn't work, but it sounds like you're describing a bowden cable.

$35 plus shipping from ECS
Front: https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_A4...1.8T/ES430612/
Rear: https://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_A4...1.8T/ES430677/

Not sure what the problem would be with the install procedure without seeing a pic of what you're looking at. I've done one before, pretty straightforward...I recall having to manipulate the handle and latch to give it enough slack while slipping the hook on.

[TheRedGlacier]

That's exactly the cable. Thank you! My issue was I was wondering if I had to remove the door frame to get the cable to hook onto the latch? Or can I hook it without moving everything out of the way? Do you just push back and slide down the cable to detach it from the latch? Or something else? I want to put the passenger cable onto the driver's side in the meanttime.

[Davdraco1]

Not to thread jack, but how bad is it to pull the door panel? My drivers door handle has always been "loose" like there is slack in the line.

[xdewaynex]

Not to thread jack, but how bad is it to pull the door panel? My drivers door handle has always been "loose" like there is slack in the line.

There is 1 or 2 screws at the top of the panel at each end of the door, then a screw for the plastic trim piece that slides out from under the grab handle, then one more screw behind it. After the screws are removed, grab the handle and pull up. The back side of the panel has fingers that just slide into the door frame.

[TheRedGlacier]

It may be important to also note that in order to get to the screws behind the plastic inside the handle, you have to push on the plastic, and pull down. I press it in with one set of fingers and direct it downwards. I haven't had it break, but I am missing one of them in the car so I guess it snapped on the previous owner.. Be careful.

Edit: It may be very possible that the spring in the handle is dead. It is very common for our cars, including mine.

Otherwise, I would say that you just need a new metal clip. When you take off the panel, the bowden cable that goes from the latch to the handle is secured in place by a plastic cradle close to the handle itself, and then is held in place by a metal clip (looks like a thick staple). This commonly goes missing or breaks. Just as a warning, if it is still there, becareful when you pull it out, the clip will go flying.

[Mad Cow]

Not to thread jack, but how bad is it to pull the door panel? My drivers door handle has always been "loose" like there is slack in the line.

That's the spring on the handle itself, apparently it's replaceable but I don't see how you could do that. And you'd still have to source a spring in that exact size.

I got lucky and stumbled across a good handle in a junkyard.

[Cybersombosis]

If your spring is broken and there is enough material left, you can uncoil 1 spring. It worked for me.

Doug