98 C70 - door panel shifted to prevent unlocking - no entry!

SkyVolvo · Post by **SkyVolvo** » 25 Aug 2016, 12:51

My parents called me with an interesting problem: they returned to their 1998 C70 today to find that the door panel had come just loose enough to shift over the lock. Because they cannot unlock the driver's side, now, the passenger side will not unlock either (as they are connected - the passenger side will not pop up if the driver's side is being pressed down). So they have the keys, but are nonetheless locked out of the car.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm not there by the car, so I can't just pop over to look, but is it possible to lower one of the rear seats from the trunk and allow entry that way? Any other ideas?

Post by **scot850** » 25 Aug 2016, 18:06

I know on the 850 sedan I have there looks like a red plastic piece on the latches in the rear of the car in the trunk area for the rear seats. I think that may be an emergency release for the rear seat latches.

Have they tried to unlock the drivers side with the key and not the fob? Don't go crazy, but they could try opening with the key on the drivers side and a second person on the passenger side hold the door handle so if the lock lifts they may be able to open it. Be careful if you try this as it is possible to break the lock mechanism if you catch the handle at the wrong moment.

Neil.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 25 Aug 2016, 18:33

I had to use a broom handle with a fork taped to it through the rear seat center arm rest on one of the 850s. It wasn't pretty but it worked.

...Lee

SkyVolvo · Post by **SkyVolvo** » 25 Aug 2016, 19:48

Thanks for the input, y'all. We did finally get it - my dad thought of something similar to Lee's suggestion. We had a long piece of aluminum - he bent the end into a hook to pry the panel away further while the other person tried the lock. I think we may have broken the mechanism like you mentioned, Neil, but we got the door open...