2000 V70 Tailgate Won't Unlock

KBlue_V70 · Post by **KBlue_V70** » 04 Aug 2014, 19:24

I see that that this question has been somewhat addressed in a 2001 V70 but I want to ask in my forum since it's urgent; I'm under the gun to move.

My tailgate won't open. The electrical lock components work but the manual latch doesn't seem to be engaged. Nor does the driver door manual release unlock it. (Fuel door manual release does work) I tried the interior emergency release latch(?) on the inside of the tailgate but all it does is wiggle the lock button. There is a black plastic plug on the outside of the tailgate that I tried to pry out to find a key lock but it will not come out. I even took it to my mechanic and he tried everything he could think of. He suggested that there may be a broken piece in the latch and I need to take it to a body shop, which I can ill afford.

I recently bought the car from a towing service and noticed that the interior tailgate door panel was missing. I think this could have been the reason. In the other thread a person planned to drill a hole in the panel once the problem was resolved so in the event that it happened again, he/she could get in there and release the mechanism. I'd prefer not to have to do this.

Is there any hope that I can get it open without going to a body shop? It has to be 100% functional since I normally travel with my dogs in crates in the back.

Post by **erikv11** » 04 Aug 2014, 19:52

There is a broken piece/lever inside the latch mechanism. This is how my V70 was when I bought it. You need to replace the latch mechanism.

On mine, I could open the rear gate with the cover off by crawling in the back cargo area and pulling the correct lever. Mine has the later style so the same part number as your 2000, has anyone tried this to get it open?

Once the gate is open, you can get the old latch out by disassembling it in the gate or by just breaking it, and then put the new one in.

KBlue_V70 · Post by **KBlue_V70** » 04 Aug 2014, 20:06

Thanks so much, Erikv11. Maybe the previous owner crawled back there, hence the reason for the panel being missing. No one in my camp has done that. This problem just reared its ugly head today. We assumed that since the car was full of dog hair that a dog chewed it.

In hindsight, the only other sign that there was a problem with the latch was that it often had to be almost slammed shut; just gently closing it didn't quite do it.

Is a brand new latch recommended? Is that part available through a link on this site, perhaps? Would I be looking at this same problem again with a used one from the junkyard? Funny (NOT) how my 2000 has many of the same problems as other models but there aren't discussions in my forum--until now.

KBlue_V70 · Post by **KBlue_V70** » 04 Aug 2014, 20:07

Another question: How do we get the interior panel off from the inside?

Post by **erikv11** » 04 Aug 2014, 20:18

The latch is expensive, like $150. I went with a used one for that reason, I posted a wanted ad and found one in a couple weeks, but you are indeed rolling the dice.

I thought the panel was already off my mistake ... You can open the gate with the panel still on, by releasing the latch hook from where it bolts to the car. There are two large torx bolts, I think they are T45. Crawl back there and you will see the access to them, it is tight. Then the gate swings up and you can remove the panel the regular way: pop off the 4 fastener points on the bottom, maybe use a screwdriver, lever the panel out from the bottom there, then lift the panel up and off the 4 clips on the top (window) side. If you try to pop off the clips on the top they usually break. Be prepared to replace many of those clips, anyway. The bottom ones are a lot cheaper though, you can get them on eBay.

Now that I think about it, this is how I opened up the gate to fix it!

KBlue_V70 · Post by **KBlue_V70** » 04 Aug 2014, 20:27

YIKES! Is that the dealer price?

The panel was off when we got the car from a towing service. My dad found a nice panel at the junkyard and put it on. I'm going to send the link to this conversation to him. He's in communication with his mechanic friend who may perform the job.

Thanks for the heads up about the clips.

Post by **erikv11** » 04 Aug 2014, 20:35

Hey to loosen/remove the latch when you crawl into the back, you will need to fold up the rear floorboard.

There are no aftermarket replacements, you need to buy the Volvo branded part, shop around you may find it cheaper but here is an example:
http://www.eeuroparts.com/Parts/31082/H ... k-8628197/

KBlue_V70 · Post by **KBlue_V70** » 04 Aug 2014, 21:46

Gotcha. Your info and instructions will make this task much easier.

We're going to seek out some used latches since some people don't use a station wagon as hard as I do. My dad said he'll get two if the cars are in nice condition so we have a spare. You have a 2001 V70--or are you talking about your 1998--and it's the same part as my 2000?

Post by **erikv11** » 04 Aug 2014, 22:33

I'm talking about my 98. 98 was a split year, with old and new style latches, then 99 and 00 are all the same. You can tell the difference by looking at them, wouldn't hurt to take some pics of yours to show people who may have them for sale. I think I paid $45 for a used one.

e.g., https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=54873

An 01 latch will not work for you.

KBlue_V70 · Post by **KBlue_V70** » 05 Aug 2014, 09:58

Thank you.