The release mechanism on my '94 960 will not open the trunk. This model dosen't have the remote release from inside the car. I can feel the tumbler fall on the lock when I use the central locks or the key but the lever remains inoperable.

Any suggestions? I am getting ready to drill a hole large enough to get my hand through behind the license plate in order to release the latch manually. A dealer told me to take it to a locksmith. The only problem is that I live in Okinawa Japan and Volvos aren't that common over here and I don't speak Japanese very well to convey my problem.

Does the release mechanism move freely or does it not move at all? If it moves freely the actuation rod may have come loose from the latch to the release lever. I'm not certain there is an easy fix for this condition. If the lever won't move, find a locksmith, I'm certain that they would know what to do in any language. Cutting a hole just doesn't seem to be very prudent unless it is absolutely the very last resort. Good luck.