My tailgate slammed shut and now the latch won't disengage. I have removed the interior panel and can get my thumb on the lever which should disengage the latch but it doesn't seem to travel far enough down to release the latch. If I could remove the mechanism which links the electric lock controller, manual lock linkage and interior and exterior release levers I might have a better chance at seeing what the problem is but I can't figure out how to remove this mechanism.
Any help will be appreciated.
I had the same problem on my '98 V70 - my rear liftgate would not open. The "rear lift door open light" was on. I guess it was some kind of electronic problem in the locking mechanism. But it could have been something else like the metal bar that extends from the outside handle down to the mechanism had slipped off (unusual design seems like it should be connected instead of just sitting on a plastic latch handle) or maybe it was bent because this car had been hit in the rear as I found out looking around in there. Anyway, I took off the interior panel and inside handle. There was a large torx bolt that had to be removed if I was going to replace the mechanism. I later found out that there were two more once I got the gate open. I took a photo of the way everything was connected so I would have a record just in case I needed it. I bought a new lock mechanism. There is a thin piece of plastic down near the bottom on the mechanism that somewhat blocks a screwdriver or other tool from reaching in and opening the door that way. So I had to start removing things. I disconnected the power first. I removed the two screws I could reach which let the part that was connected to the connector be removed out of the way. I removed the metal bars that went from the outside door handle and the lock down to the mechanism. I still couldn't reach where I needed to. So since I had the part I began to slowly break away pieces from the mechanism. They are plastic so they broke off without much trouble but it did take a little work. Finally I reached down to the thin plastic part I referred to earlier that covers the part that unlocks your liftgate and pulled it enough off of it to get access to the release. One last try with a screwdriver let me push the actual release and the door opened! There was much rejoicing. Then I removed the old and replaced with the new. Reconnected everything checked and rechecked. It's working so far. That's how I did it.
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My friend came from the airport and thru his bag in the back.
I noticed when we were driving that the tailgate open light was on.
He got out and reclosed the door on my V70.
But when we got home, found that the original reason the dooor did not close was because his luggage strap was in the way.
Now the strap is trapped and I cannot get the door open.
1998 volvo V70. tailgate will not unlatch to open. took back panel off and child safety lock and tailgate lock mechanism are both in unlocked positions. interior and exterior lever mechanisms are in working condition and pressing on latch actuator arm, but latch does not open. tried applying lubricant to latch, still no luck. latch has two mounting bolts which are not accessible with tailgate closed. catch for latch is mounted to interior of tailgate, with two bolts, torx heads. in my case one is stripped out. how can i get the latch to release inorder to fix or replace?
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