Volkswagen Repair: 2000 Beetle alarm, interior door panel, door latch assembly

Question
We have had a lot of rain and since then the door on my beetle has been hard to open. I tried opening and closing it 3 or 4 times and it set my alarm off. Since then when we use the key it sets off the alarm when we start it. The only way to stop it other than letting it stop on its own is to use the remote. If we use the remote to open the door it is fine. Are the two related or just a coincidence?
Gene

Answer
Hi there, Gene;
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.  My computer broke, and I just got back on line about an hour ago, and have been answering questions as fast as I can.
Your problem is not with the key, or the remote, or the alarm.  The problem, almost always, (99.99% of the time) is related to the door latch assembly in the driver's door.  One of the best ways to know for sure if it is the latch is to open the door and look for the "puddle light" in the door, or the interior lights, in the mirror.  If you use the remote to unlock the car, the lights will come on, so wait until they go out again, and then open the door.  If the light in the mirror doesn't come on, it's almost certainly the door latch assembly....$100.00 part, and 2, and a half hours labor to replace.  It's a HUGE job.  The only way in is through the door from the inside, so interior door panel, then window regulator panel(stamped steel), then into the door cavity, and the latch has to be "armed" correctly for it's first use, etc.  If you haven't done one before, this is one for the local Volkswagen specialty shop, or the dealer...I wouldn't take it to just any repair shop.  Hope this helps, Gene.  Good luck.