Volkswagen Repair: Passat Trunk Latch does not stay closed., phillips screw driver, luck john

Question
Passat trunk latch does not stay shut. I can see that the  catch opens and closes, but does not lock around the bar. How do I get at the latch? Is it typically a mechanical or electrical fix?

Answer
Hi John;
Good question.  Well considered, and thought out.  The repair is electrical.  There is a solenoid that is attached to the latch via a cable, and the solenoid has simply stuck in the "activated" position.  Therefore the latch will always stay open.  The solenoid that is up inside the fabric cover needs to be replaced.  There is one screw that REQUIRES a Phillips screw driver that NO ONE in the world makes commercially.  It is possible to bend the tab of metal that this screw goes through after the other more accessible screw has been removed, but you may have to destroy the old solenoid on the way out.  The part has been "superceded!"  In other words there is a new part that is more durable, but basically the same design.  Good luck, John.  I hope this gets you pointed in the right direction.