XC70 has lost the ability to open the rear trunk hatch

Stephen0523 · Post by **Stephen0523** » Wed Oct 19, 2016 3:13 pm

Hello! Recently our 2002 Volvo XC 70 has lost the ability to open the rear trunk hatch door.
Very frustrating as there is no key area on the outside or no handle on the inside to open the trunk.

Has anyone experienced this and if so would anyone have a fix?

Thanks in advance,
Stephen.

TrstnBrtt · Post by **TrstnBrtt** » Wed Oct 19, 2016 4:23 pm

Look above the license plate holder, where you grab the handle to lift the hatch up, to the right is a circular rubber grommet. Pull that out and there is a spot for you to insert your key and unlock it.

db130 · Post by **db130** » Wed Oct 19, 2016 4:30 pm

Do you hear and feel the hatch lock actuator moving the lock to the unlocked postion when you hit unlock with the keyless entry fob?

The hatch on my NA occasionally gets stuck and the trick to opening the hatch was to push the hatch towards the front of the car as you pull on the handle, as described here:

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... hp?t=18360

Re: tailgate will not unlock and open
Unread postby holler1 » Wed Jan 28, 2009 12:00 am

Try pushing in (forward) on the door at the same time you pull the release lever. Give it a quick hard shove in. That is how mine releases. It seems to free up the release somehow.

Stephen0523 · Post by **Stephen0523** » Thu Oct 20, 2016 3:59 am

Good morning. I looked and there is no rubber grommet for a key and I tried pushing and pulling for holding the latch and also making sure the doors unlocked LOL but no luck.

Post by **JRL** » Thu Oct 20, 2016 6:53 am

You need a new or a good used lock. They fail, it's as simple as that.

Stephen0523 · Post by **Stephen0523** » Thu Oct 20, 2016 6:58 am

LOL, seems my 1989, Sunbird, 1984 Oldsmobile and 1974 Dodge Tradesman van have less problems

Might get a replacement lock before digging in there.

VCaspar50 · Post by **VCaspar50** » Sun Oct 23, 2016 8:42 am

This solved it on my old 2008 V70. I could not open the hatch even though I could hear the motor apparently moving the latch to unlock it.
Go to just behind the metal plate on the outside of the door where you put your hand to reach into the lock. If you feel in there immediately behind the plate you will feel another (plastic?) plate. Push this forwards, towards the metal lever you would normally pull towards you to open the hatch. You will hear a slight click and you can then open the hatch normally. I think there is a linkage that fails to engage normally. This might be why one tip was to push the actual door, which might also re-engage the link.
It took me a little while to find this trick, then a few minutes squirting WD40 (other releasing fluids are available) into the underside of the lock while clicking the mechanism. After this it always worked as it was meant to, no need for new locks or major work.
Hope I have described what I did clearly enough, and hope it solves your problem.

Stephen0523 · Post by **Stephen0523** » Sun Oct 23, 2016 10:22 am

Thanks Vcaspar for the tip. Would it be possible for you to upload a video or some photos of what you're describing I should try?

VCaspar50 · Post by **VCaspar50** » Sun Oct 23, 2016 10:55 am

Sorry, I sold the V70 and the XC70 has an automatic tailgate so it works differently

Stephen0523 · Post by **Stephen0523** » Sat Nov 19, 2016 12:00 pm

Hello. I got my new trunk release motor in today and installed it and it did not work which ruled out it is the trunk release motor mechanism. But the good news after some digging around and listening I determined it was a relay in the trunk and I just replaced it and everything is working solid! So now I have a spare trunk release mechanism. When I have time I will post steps that I talk and photos for anyone else having same issues.