Tailgate won't open

[sierraman]

Hi

I have a P2 2001 V70 5 seater and I am currently unable to open the tailgate/boot

In the last 6 months the boot appeared to unlock by itself and I would sometimes get the boot open light on the dash, then when i tried to lock it, sometimes it would lock and sometimes not (But i could hear the locking mech)

However it now won't unlock at all and I can't hear the locking mech either and I now have to load the boot with the back seats down which is a real p.i.t.a

When I search the web, it could be one of three things, Wiring harness/ lock mech/ or the spring in the handle. Every video I see shows someone doing a repair with the tailgate open, so my questions are

1) Is it possible to open the locked boot from the inside without damaging the doorcard/trim or from the outside without marking the tailgate or bumper?

2) Does anyone have a link that shows how to get the boot open with minimum damage?

3) If i was to buy a used handle section and the lock off the 7 seater version, would this be a straight forward repair (so i can use a key if the boot plays up again) ?

I am amazed this could happen on a car that is designed to be a load lugger. A lightweight fibreglass tailgate (or similar) Plastic locking parts and no key option, what were volvo thinking? My previous P1 V70 didn't drive as well as my P2 (but easier to park) and came with a steel/metal tailgate and a separate lock and never gave any trouble in 19 years of ownership. I dread to think what they may have done to the P3 if the P2 is like this!

Anyway any sensible advice and links to parts and or sorting this out would be appreciated.

Thank you