Does it have two cables and one broke?

Yes, it has two cables. The cable from the latching mechanism to the outside handle is a short one. Check out this link.
http://www.taligentx.com/passat/maintenance/doorlockmechanism/

 

thanks i will use that to get into it, the electrical parts work, its just that the handle does not move anything to open the door...

 

well i took the door panel off then the window regulator but couldnt get it all the way off due to not having the tool to remove the lock. but i could see that the cable was not broken but the end that attaches to the handle was not connected. i will have to get the tool to remove the lock before i go any futher. when i put the window back in, the window wouldnt go all the way back up.:crazy: spent about two hours trying to fugure that out, i finaly just started the car and tried that and the window went all the way up.:banghead:
but i learned alot about the door and the window stuf while trying to do this.
I could not tell if any thing on the handle was broke.
I called the dealership for help but all there so called techs were off, go figure...
will have to buy some tools today and give it another try.
if anyone has any tips for doing this that a noobie needs to know, feel free

 

Just follow the instructions in that link.

The "Lock Set Screw Torx T20" is the one you'll need to back-out in order to remove the key-cylinder from the outside of the door. Don't remove the screw completely, just back it out enough so that it releases the key-cylinder.

Once the key-cylinder is out, you can see/access the end of the short cable. As you can see in this photo, it's end simply pops into a ribbed grove. The installed cylinder retains the cable end in that groove. Also note that the cable end will fit anywhere along the groove. This is to adjust the cable tension. If adjusted too tight, the latching mechanism won't action properly and the door won't open. If adjusted too loose, the outer handle won't open the latch until it is pulled really far out of the door. Find a happy medium.

 

Thanks Steve that is a good write up that i can follow. Ill need to get the tools tomorrow, but I think I can do it with your directions.
again thanks, Ill update with progress and may even take some pics to help someone else out in the future.:thumbup:
Do you have to take the door panel off or can this be done through the cylinder hole?

 

Hey thanks. I have had that problem for a long time. Sadly my life schedule hasn't allowed the time to yank the door off and troubleshoot the issue!

 

this only takes about 5 mins. to do if its just the cable comming out of the track it rest in under normal conditions. back out the screw under the plastic cap it will stop turning when the cylinder will come out. you can see the cable through the hole where the cylinder goes and reinstall the cable. Mine doesnt have a lock cylinder on the pass. side but the part looks like the handle. If yours has a lock, some one posted to "put the key in to help pull out the cylinder". Mine came out with pulling with my fingers. you could try this first.
wish I had.

Good luck...

 

I might be a little slower than most, but thought I would point out for the rear doors, you need to pull back the weather stripping to access the torx screw. The first time I went to do the job, I did not realize this. On second pass, I pulled back the weather stripping and there it was! Hopefully this saves someone a few minutes of head scratching. As firefighter316 pointed out...very quick job once you find the screw...5 minutes tops.

 

Sorry for the thread revival. I have a problem with my drivers door handle. It would not open from the outside so I followed the instructions from this thread on how to remove the key cylinder and adjust the lock release cable and I have got it opening from the outside BUT now the handle will not close flush with the door when I let go of it after pulling it out. Something has obviously come out of place where the back of the door handle goes into the door but I cannot see what the problem may be. Has anyone had this problem before? I would like to get it fixed soon because its annoying me the way it is

 

Check the cable adjustment.
Where the cable fit to the door handle, there is a set of grooves, fit it in the appropriate groove for correct tension.

 

Anyone?

 

I have the same problem. I just replaced my rear door handle, and now, while it works, it won't sit flush. I can see that there seems to be a plastic bracket inside the door that the handle needs to be inserted into, but I can't make it fit. As a result the door handle opens, but it's clearly still temperamental.

Also, I pulled back my weather stripping for this job, and I'm not quite sure how to get the plastic t-handle clips back into the rubber strip. any ideas?