Hi all,

The tailgate on our '01 XC won't open. I can hear the lock inside opening and shutting when I hit the remote, but then the handle seems a little mushy, and I never get the "click" feeling of the latch releasing.

The only piece of advice I've seen so far is to try replacing the batteries in the remote fob. It's opening the rest of locks, so this seems like an unlikely fix, but I'll give that a shot. If that doesn't work, does anyone have any advice?

It's still under warranty (barely) and I have a dealer appointment this week. But if it's something stupid and/or easy (say, the battery in the fob), I'd just as soon fix it myself!

Thanks,
--Russ

You might want to try switching the child lock on the bottom edge of the tailgate back and forth a few times, then leaving it in the off position. I've had door locks behave unpredictably when the child lock wasn't fully set one way or the other. They're not supposed to move on their own, but after a while and a few slams, who knows?

Yes it will if you use the key. It might be a little hard to turn the key. This happen to my XC and the key would unlock it when the fob would not open it. I just had the lock mechanism replaced last week.
--
Leon Ramseur in NC, 2001 V70XC & 2001 V70T5.

Thanks, Leon. I don't believe mine has a key lock for the tailgate--I probably would have snapped the key off already trying to get it open. I'll give it a solid look though, before it's at the dealer.

--Russ

Yes it has a key lock. To the right of the right license plate light. It is hard to see because it accepts the key going up. Mine was coverd with dirt. Most car washes don't clean it very well.
--
Leon Ramseur in NC, 2001 V70XC & 2001 V70T5.

Hmm, I just had a look at mine. I see the location you describe--on mine, it's kind of ~2" indented circle with a dent in the center, like a drill guide for where a key lock mechanism *would* go. Maybe the tailgate key lock is an option on '01s?

--Russ

I think it comes with the rear-facing seat option. I had that added to my XC and part of the package was a new rear lock assembly.

hi again,
some had a key some didnt, it doesnt matter if its got the rear seats fitted or not just depends on year and market.
this original problem was common on all new shape v70's ,the handle feels "mushy" because wear of a plastic pivot point inside the old locks mean the handle activation rod doesnt get full travel and therefore wont open. sometimes if you really pull the handle hard and fast the will come open,but the only real fix is a new design lock...trust me ive fitted many.
steve.

I guess the new rear lock assembly that was added with the rear-facing seats was so that the door could be opened from the inside?

yep, that kit included an interior handle and pop up lock button also.

steve.

Thanks for everyone's comments. I got the car back from the shop today. Here's what the work invoice had to say (reduced original caps level for good netiquette):

[...] Release handle is sloppy (normal) and in the unlocked position. Handle has resistance. But will not release the latch for the door to open. Folded down the rear seats and removed security cover to reach the hatch panel cover. Popped off the upper cover. But could not get enough room to release the hatch. Used a long panel popper to release all the panel clips and was able to bow the hatch cover enough to release the latch. But the hatch cover cracked on the left side. Needs hatch cover and the a [sic] new latch assy.

Replaced hatch lock assy and verified operation. Installed new hatch cover in place of cracked unit.

So, watch you don't break your trim if you're doing this yourself!

--Russ

hi,
i know your problem well, the tailgate lock had a faulty component inside it that prevented the handle from opening it sometimes. volvo made a new lock design to fix this,most were done under warrenty but its not a big job to fit anyway. HOWEVER getting the tailgate open in this situation is not easy and unless you are able to get the tailgate interior trim off in place then you might be better off to go and see your volvo dealer.

steve.

p.s. the keyfob batteries have nothing to do with this problem.

I have a 2000 xc and have experienced the same problem. The weird thing is that I can come back the next day and everything works fine, until the next time. It can be very frustrating and you feel the need to just jerk real hard. It sounds stupid but try waiting until tomorrow and try it again. It worked for me at least a couple of times.