Last night my wife went to open the drivers side rear door just as I hit the unlock button from the front. All the doors with the exception of that one unlocked. If I unlock it by hand, it will lock via the interior switch and the keyless remote but will not unlock by either (just by hand). Suggestions? I'm assuming I'll have to take off the door panel to investigate. How is this done/any tricks to share?

Thanks

The symptoms you mentioned are a typical failure for the '98 lock assemblies. Two of mine broke. It happens because a tiny piece on a plastic lever within the lock assembly breaks. It is the lever that allows the motor to unlock the door only. Amazingly weak design. I managed to manufacture a replacement piece out of aluminum and glue it in place on mine. So far, so good, but very difficult to do. The replacement locks are of a new design. I priced them at about $98.

Good luck

KCB,

That was exactly what I had pictured in my mind (what had happened and how to possibly fix it). Is there any trick to getting the door panel off without breaking, I'm assuming, plastic clips?

Thanks

Not an uncommon problem!!!! Needs a new electric door lock switch.

Happened last year, dealer replaced under warranty.

98 V70 AWD

Not the door lock switch but the entire door latch, which incorporates the electric lock motor.

Same thing happened to me. VIP warranty would not cover it. Dealer charged $60 to fix it. Pretty poor quality if a lock mechanism breaks at 45,000 miles and Volvo won't stand behind it.

Same thing here. Was the rear left lock. VIP covered no questions asked.