driver door won't open

JonBlanchard · Post by **JonBlanchard** » 17 Nov 2008, 09:17

I have a 99 V70. The driver door won't open from inside or out. The outer handle doesn't come all the way out and the inner handle has no effect, although the cable is working. Recently the key would not unlock the door so I repaired that; the rod from the key to the lock had come away. But the door had been working fine for a few weeks since then, they may or may not be connected. I can't even open the door to get at the screws to replace anything. First, any idea on how to open the door and second what repair may be required? Jon

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 17 Nov 2008, 15:26

Welcome to MVS. Have you tried the key fob?

SnookWhaler · Post by **SnookWhaler** » 17 Nov 2008, 15:38

I put up a thread on this exact problem over at VS a month or so ago. The thread is "pinned" in the "useful thread for repairs" in the 850 area. I put a post up and text that explains the problem, but I have yet to get a picture of the door. I will see if I can pull it again tomorrow and get the picture. The mechanisms you are dealing with are the same in both the 850's and 70's. The locking systems on the earlier 850's are different, but the door operating rods and bushings are basically the same.

The problem is that I had it happen on the drivers rear door. The door panel was not that difficult to remove from the inside of the car. I just had to remove the lower portion of the rear seat to access the door panel screws. The front door is going to be a problem because I think you have screws in the "sides" of the panel that are probably hidden in the "door jamb" area.

Here is that thread:

http://volvospeed.com/vs_forum/index.ph ... try1415829

JonBlanchard · Post by **JonBlanchard** » 18 Nov 2008, 10:09

Thanks SnookWhaler. I have the front door panel off. On the 99 V70 front doors it is quite difficult to see or reach anything behind the metal inner door panel. All of the parts are behind it. But I will look for a misplaced rod and grommet. The locks work by the way. The only picture I have been able to find is in my repair manual, Chilton I think, and it doesn't really agree with what I am seeing so if you could find a picture that would be more than great. Thanks again.

SnookWhaler · Post by **SnookWhaler** » 18 Nov 2008, 15:11

Jon.... I'm not going to have the car for a couple more hours. It is my wifes work car and she has been working late.

I'll see if I can get the picture of what I am talking about tomorrow afternoon. I need to get the picture so I can post it on the repair thread.

If you have the other door panel off, you will also see that there is a little plastic access panel over by the latch assembly on the inside door skin. Pop this panel out so you can see the door lock actuator and operating rods.

If the door is "stuck shut", this usually means that the little 3" operating rod has fallen out of one of 2 bellcrank assemblys. The first is right behind the access panel and is actuated by the interior door lever. The other is up inside the door behind the interior door skin and is a little difficult to see. Especially in broad daylight.

If this little rod falls out of one of the holes and the upper bellcrank falls down you will not be able to open the door or move the lock button.

So the key fob and switch are actuating the lock knob all the way up and down?

JonBlanchard · Post by **JonBlanchard** » 19 Nov 2008, 09:38

SnookWhaler, the door panel is off--quite a trick in itself with the door stuck shut--I wish there was a plastic panel to take off. There isn't, nothing but sharp edges of the inner door skin with the working parts tucked up behind it. It's like doing arthroscopic surgery in there.

What I am able to see is about a third of the door lock assembly (the large, flat, black plastic assembly) where the inside door handle cable attaches to it. All the moving parts are very hard to even touch let alone see. The parts that you mention as the problem are not visible. Getting the door to even open would be a huge success at this point. I'm pretty good at this stuff, been driving and fixing Volvos for 35 years and this is the darndest and most frustrating thing. Almost as bad as replacing the heater core on my 740.

I have the Haynes manual and it is worthless for this. That manual for the 850/V70s is sure a step down from earlier Haynes'.

Can't thank you enough for taking the time to help me with this.

SnookWhaler · Post by **SnookWhaler** » 19 Nov 2008, 14:51

Jon,

I got those pictures up and finished the tutorial over at VS. Just click on that link above and go to the bottom.

Like I said. It is for the rear doors. Removing the door panels on the front is way different than the rear. But, the latching mechanism is similar on the front. This is an older car so I am not sure if and when they did changes. I know in 1995 the central locking changed some. But, I am pretty sure the rest is the same. I have looked at several of these in the salvage yards to include S and V 70's. I have also done a similar repair on a V70.

PM me or reply to this thread again if you have any more specific questions or need more help.

Regards,

AJ

JonBlanchard · Post by **JonBlanchard** » 02 Dec 2008, 10:40

Well I worked on this thing for hours and finally gave up. I took it to a reputable Volvo specialist who was equally stumped. He ended up literally sawing the latch mechanism apart to get the door open. Said they had never seen a situation like this before. I have no words of wisdom for anyone, just closing the discussion loop.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 02 Dec 2008, 15:22

So, besides a new lock bracket, what was their solution?

SnookWhaler · Post by **SnookWhaler** » 02 Dec 2008, 16:22

Wow!

What was the problem? I have heard now of a couple S40's with a similar problem.

You would think that there would be some way to open the door for repair if it were "stuck shut"? Especially at the dealer.

Thanks for keeping us updated.