2000 V70 Tailgate Won't Unlock

[erikv11]

I was just out removing the rear panel of my 850 wagon. As I got started by popping off the trim around the inside latch handle I realized, "Oops, the trim was never mentioned in that thread the other day ..."

The first thing to come off is the trim around the inside handle/lever. I always use a putty knife, the best tips I have seen for the trim are http://volvospeed.com/volvo_repairs_how ... epair.html and there is a video from IPD on youtube etc.

[KBlue_V70]

Thank you! A mechanic is going to fix it for me tomorrow. I believe he got two at the junkyard--one for a spare since I use the tailgate a lot. I get to watch.

[KBlue_V70]

The tailgate latch was replaced today and works perfectly. The tips for getting the interior panel off were helpful. Thanks so much.
The only real curiosity was that the mechanic couldn't see what caused the malfunction with the original broken one so we decided to keep it for "research" purposes.

[OldSkoolMadSkilz]

Here's how to open the latch when the return spring breaks. Disassembling the panel will not help as you will just be pushing on the same mechanism that the handle uses. The latch is actually releasing, but there is too much pressure from the gasket to allow it to slide.

So here's how it is done:

1- Put your palm on the lower lip of the tail gate at the left edge of the license plate.
2- Push as hard as you can while squeezing the latch and immediately pull up.

Doesn't always work, but after a few tries, you'll get it.

I'm going to try welding a small screw eye to my latch and see if that will work as a spring retainer.