2001 V70 T5 Tailgate

JohnnyO · Post by **JohnnyO** » 12 Jan 2010, 16:38

My car is a 2001 V70 T5. My tailgate won't open using my remote or the unlock button on my door. Is there another way to open the tailgate except taking it to a dealer.

otis44 · Post by **otis44** » 12 Jan 2010, 20:07

Not sure on the 01's but on some of the later model wagons and I assume the 01 would be the same there is a place to insert the key and unlock the tailgate right above the license plate. There probably is a plastic type plug you may have to pop out to get to the lock. Once you see it you'll figure it out.

JohnnyO · Post by **JohnnyO** » 12 Jan 2010, 20:57

Thanks. I'll take a closer look tomorrow. I tried looking for a key slot but couldn't see any. The only thing that's rubber or plastic that I saw were the lever you press and the rubber surrounding the license plate lights.

otis44 · Post by **otis44** » 12 Jan 2010, 21:35

JohnnyO wrote:Thanks. I'll take a closer look tomorrow. I tried looking for a key slot but couldn't see any. The only thing that's rubber or plastic that I saw were the lever you press and the rubber surrounding the license plate lights.

To somewhat edit what I posted above, the actual key lock may have been an option on wagons with the third row seat and not on cars without the seat, I am not sure. I know many of the sedans have this feature and am pretty confident I have seen it on some wagons as well. Anyhow, good luck

Post by **E170_Driver** » 14 Jan 2010, 18:39

Hey Johnny,
on my 2001 V70 the tailgate the plastic door locking pin sometimes gets hung up on the circular collar surrounding the pin. Just make sure it does not get caught within the door panel. I sometimes have to cycle the pin a couple of times (open/shut with my remote) in order for it to pop out.

Jan

JohnnyO · Post by **JohnnyO** » 14 Jan 2010, 19:07

Thanks, guys. I was hoping someone would know of an easy way (a hidden switch perhaps) to pop the tailgate open. I guess the only way will be for me to put down the back seats crawl to the back and remove the tailgate cover to expose the mechanism to see what's going on. I'll post the results if I am successful.

Johnny

JohnnyO · Post by **JohnnyO** » 23 Jan 2010, 19:34

Yesterday, on a hunch I tried clicking my remote to see if it still was not working but lo and behold - the tailgate unlocked! I raised the tailgate then tried the remote button but it wouldn't lock or unlock again. I called an electrical engineer friend for help and after removing the tailgate cover he found the electrical terminals were corroded. He sprayed WD-40 and now it works fine. If it ever happens again I think the easiest thing to do will be to drill a 1 inch hole through the cover, stick a screwdriver in and push the lever to unlock the tailgate.

Now my check engine light just went on. I can't wait to see what technical challenge awaits me tomorrow.

JohnnyO · Post by **JohnnyO** » 16 Apr 2010, 00:13

After about 3 months of my tailgate lock mechanism working perfectly, it is now working intermittently. Some days it locks and unlocks but on other days it stays locked. After a day it unlocks. Yesterday morning I couldn't unlock it but in the afternoon it unlocked. Would anyone know what would cause the mechanism to work intermittently.
Johnny O.

otis44 · Post by **otis44** » 16 Apr 2010, 05:43

You might check your wiring for breaks at the hinge on the tailgate. I had an 04 model with similar problems and the sharp bend in the wiring had caused one or more wires to nearly come apart.

JohnnyO · Post by **JohnnyO** » 16 Apr 2010, 17:37

Thanks otis44. I'll check my wiring and let you know what I find.