240 General: Boot Latch

[highpass]

Seems me and this car's locks will be forming a close, love/hate relationship.

This is a definite case of curiosity killed the cat. Or rather, killed the hatch.

Whilst emptying the boot I decided it would be a great idea to see what happened if you pushed the latch tooth in. It seemed quite happy to do this, and liked it so much that it has decided to stay that way, leaving me with a hatch that won't shut.

I have tried all the DaVinci-like instructions related in the manual, but alas it will not budge. You can hear that the key seems to be doing it's job, and the handle works, but the latch will not pop back out. Brute force has also failed.

What on earth have I done?

[volvo always]

My estate boot latch sometimes does this and I turn the boot lock with the key to open then pull the latch prong back and then I keep trying until it latches. Otherwise the catch just hits the latch.
If you have central locking try locking and unlocking at the drivers door.

Once it works it's ok for ages. On my estate boot when I open the door you can hear the catch open/make a clunk noise, I then know when I close the boot it will shut and engage. Also try the handle while pulling back the latch prong.

I would also try oiling the catch.

James

[highpass]

Hi James,

When you are turning the key and pulling the latch, it moves? I can't seem to make mine budge no matter what I do. Almost like I've engaged some sort of safety lock... or broken it.

[volvo always]

Yes from memory. Try going into the boot and opening from inside. James

[highpass]

I have a fix for anyone else that gets stuck in the same position as me. It is rather difficult and should only be attempted by a professional. Ensure you have a full torx set, a hammer, some sticky back plastic and two granny smith apples. Then insert the proper key rather than the service key, and turn the lock back.

Thanks anyway

[Stephen Edwin]

So you didn't have to resort to the bent paperclip or the broken spatula. Easy peasy then!