Tailgate open message - Volvo XC70 Topic is solved

CThompson · Post by **CThompson** » 23 Oct 2023, 03:27

I posted yesterday about the fact i'd accidently closed the latch on the boot and i couldnt get the boot to shut. I managed to sort this out in the end - dont know how but i managed to free it!

Anyhow - the reason i was messing around with the latch in the first place was because there is a intermittent message on the dashboard to say that the Tailgate is open - even though it isnt. Its a connection issue in my opinion as the message comes and goes and at night the boot (trunk) light comes on and off when i'm driving. This message means that the car thinks the boot/trunk is open and hence when i look the car the alarm goes off...!!!

Do you think if i disconnect (cut) the wiring to the boot that this message will stop and i will be able to lock the boot without the alarm going off? (and any idea which wire it is?!!)

Im also thinking of removing the fuse for the trunk light to stop it going off/on.

Your thoughts are apprecaited

Post by **firstv70volvo** » 23 Oct 2023, 10:32

CThompson wrote: ↑23 Oct 2023, 03:27 I posted yesterday about the fact i'd accidently closed the latch on the boot and i couldnt get the boot to shut. I managed to sort this out in the end - dont know how but i managed to free it!

Anyhow - the reason i was messing around with the latch in the first place was because there is a intermittent message on the dashboard to say that the Tailgate is open - even though it isnt. Its a connection issue in my opinion as the message comes and goes and at night the boot (trunk) light comes on and off when i'm driving. This message means that the car thinks the boot/trunk is open and hence when i look the car the alarm goes off...!!!

Do you think if i disconnect (cut) the wiring to the boot that this message will stop and i will be able to lock the boot without the alarm going off? (and any idea which wire it is?!!)

Im also thinking of removing the fuse for the trunk light to stop it going off/on.

Your thoughts are apprecaited

Cutting wires and removing fuses won't help you. This is a known problem with the wires breaking in the left hinge area of the tailgate. You'll need to repair the broken wires(it's usually more than one wire that's damaged) or replace the wiring harness.

If other wires going through the left hinge area are broken you could see problems with...
License plate lights
Upper middle brake light
Rear lock
Rear wiper
Tailgate open (wire to ground through switch in latch)
Rear defroster heater

: 005web_zps84aed0a4.jpg (59 KiB) Viewed 2283 times

CThompson · Post by **CThompson** » 23 Oct 2023, 14:05

Thanks for this. I checked the wires yesterday evening and they all looked fine. I will look again tommorow to see if they have perhaps gone hard and are ready to snap or something..

Post by **firstv70volvo** » 23 Oct 2023, 14:41

CThompson wrote: ↑23 Oct 2023, 14:05 Thanks for this. I checked the wires yesterday evening and they all looked fine. I will look again tommorow to see if they have perhaps gone hard and are ready to snap or something..

When checking the wires pull the harness covering the wires down further than you would expect to have to, the damaged wires can be deeper into the covering than expected. If the wiring is the problem, which I expect it is, you'll see cracks in the insulation.

Post by **volvolugnut** » 23 Oct 2023, 17:39

If your 2003 XC70 is like my 2001 V70 (they are both P2 models) there is a switch in the rear hatch lock mechanism that indicates the hatch is open. My hatch locking motor failed years ago and to prevent this open hatch warning, I believe I cut a wire at the switch. I need to look at it again to confirm and will get the wire color. If I am remembering correctly, cutting the wire stopped the warning light. I have been manually locking the hatch ever since.
If you have damaged wires in the hinge area, the wires will need to be repaired. Wires can be repaired with crimp splices and may need new lengths of wires added.
volvolugnut

Post by **cn90** » 23 Oct 2023, 21:16

Re wiring loom...

The 2006 S60 trunk lid license bulbs do not work.
The trunk open rubber pad does not work.
Inspection of the wiring loom looked good on the
outside, but a check for continuity showed that at
certain angles, the inside wire cut out.

New wiring loom (~ $60) solved all these issues.
Common issue in any car > 10 yrs old, esp when
the trunk or tailgate is opened and closed a lot.

CThompson · Post by **CThompson** » 24 Oct 2023, 07:33

I took a photo of the wires which seem to be in decent shape. (i thought i would be able to attach it but it wont let me) Possibly the wires are frayed within the wrapped part? Alternatively do you think a mechanic could disconnect the alarm system. I'm not bothered about the message i just want to be able to lock the car without the alarm going off

Post by **volvolugnut** » 24 Oct 2023, 08:23

New MVS members are blocked from posting photos until they have several (how many??) posts. This slows the spammers.
Keep making short posts and trying to attach photos.
If your car is like other early P2 models, the alarm is buried under right front ?? fender and hard to reach. At the age of your car, the alarm battery is close to failure unless already replaced.
volvolugnut

CThompson · Post by **CThompson** » 25 Oct 2023, 04:17

Ahh so if i disconnect the battery for the alarm......

Post by **volvolugnut** » 25 Oct 2023, 07:57

I looked at my tailgate and made this photo. This is 2001 V70. I am not certain this wires shown cut here are the wires for the open/closed switch. They may be the wires for the lock actuation motor which I removed when it failed. I don't remember if these wires were for motor or switch or both.
To access these wires, the lower half of the tailgate inner panel must be removed and you some of the attachment clips may break in the process.
Search for other posts about specific location of the alarm with internal battery.
This is the best information I have. Use it at your own risk.
volvolugnut