So, here’s my dilemma. The front passenger side door on my 2001 VDP suddenly stopped unlocking. Not an intermittent problem; always worked then stopped. Neither the key fob or the dash button or the lock pull or the door handle will unlock it. I’ve checked the appropriate locking mechanism fuses and audibly verified that some solenoid inside the door is operating. I’m thinking the problem is mechanical and I’ll need to go inside the door to diagnose and repair it. Here’s the rub. In order to remove the door panel, it would seem that the door must be open! Does anyone know any other non invasive, (i.e. no crowbar) way to get the door open? Also, any speculation as to what I should look for or might find when and if I get into the door would be much appreciated.

 

If the solnoid breaks, and my was broken, the lock pin won't move up and down but the inside handle should still open it. It is possible you also have a broken door cable.
Take off the palstic piece behind the interior door handle by removing the small round plug and the screw behind it.
Then pry off the wood panel, starting at the back end. Now you will have some access to the door handle, but very little. You might be able to see if the cable is broken. If I can get photobucket to behave, I have all sorts of pictures of the door.

 

To remove the door panel, take out the screw underneath the door pull. Roll the window down, then pry the bottom of the panel off the clips and lift it up.
You probably can't do this with the door closed, but at least now you know how it is supposed to come off.

 

Welsh Enterprises sells cables on Ebay. About $55.
Sounds like more than one issue is going on. You will need to remove the door panel.
10 minute job. (Then 4 hours to find the little piece you dropped....) Good luck

 

Any luck on getting it open?

 

It is possible to remove a door panel with closed door. I've did it twice, actually.
Solenoid was broken, yet it's motor was still operating.
Once the door panel is removed - get a pry bar and force solenoid arm to unlock a door.
Remove a door lock with solenoid, replace solenoid (front and rear are different ones) and reassemble a door.

 

The question is "HOW" did you remove the door panel...

 

Just pull&prey
Even if the door is closed it is still possible to free the lower part of the door panel.
Move a seat backwards. Lift a door panel up (with a open window). After that it's possible to get inside and disconnect a wires. Pull a door panel backwards (to the rear part of the vehicle) and it's done.
Quite easy job, BTW.

 

I repaired my door lock solenoid myself. But then again I am kind of cheap, and I like to fix things rather than repair them. A broken solenoid should not stop the door from unlocking though, At least mine didn't.

 

Yep, it's possible to repair it.
It could stop the door from unlocking. If the white plastic thing, that limits the movement of the solenoid arm, is broken then it could stop an arm from moving.