V70: Dead battery and cannot open doors

[AJR]

Hi,

My X reg V70 has a very dead battery - the remote locker will not open the doors, neither will using the actual key in the doors.

Any assistance in being able to get in to re-charge the battery, or charge the battery without getting into the car (is that even possible?!) would be appreciated.

Once re-charged it is going up for sale (decent condition and just over 100,000 on the clock)

Thanks

[SteveSarre]

Hi

So if you use the key in the drivers door, it turns but doesn't unlock?

Does the tailgate have a lock that you can open with a key, and climb in?

Or, with some gymnastics it should be possible to open the bonnet form below, then you can charge the battery in the normal way.
I havent done it myself, but what you need to do is reach up to the bonnet latch (one on each side) and pull the cable that runs across the front of the car, behind the top of the slam panel.

Maybe google it. It should be possible without causing damage.

Or I think a cable runs permanently from the starter (not the solenoid) to the battery positive? If you can connect a live to that, and connect a negative to ground, then things might start working, but take care not to cause sparks or a fire.

HTH
Steve

Steve

Steve

[SwissXC90]

Use an external charger on the trailer plug, the starter motor, or the alternator to put power into the battery

[Clogs]

Get under the nearside front of the car, and there is a live wire that comes down from the battery which can have its insulation cut open a tiny bit to enable you to attach a live battery charger red wire clip onto it while the negative black wire on any part of the chassis. There is then enough power to unlock the doors with either key or remote.

After that put a bit of insulation on the exposed bit of wire to cover it up again.

I had this problem after the battery was drained while leaving the car all day in the drive with the warning lights on unnoticed ... easily done as just touching near the ash tray / radio hits the switch down there. Flat battery and the door won't unlock because no electricity to lift the lock mechanism.

[volvo again]

Bit concerned that using the key in the drivers door lock doesn't work...it should.
Maybe a good idea to remove door card / outside handle and check lock...when you've got into it that is.

[acshortt5]

Originally Posted by volvo again

Bit concerned that using the key in the drivers door lock doesn't work...it should.
Maybe a good idea to remove door card / outside handle and check lock...when you've got into it that is.

What generally happens on these is nobody uses the key, just uses the remotes, and probably never lubricates the key lock either so it ends up rusting and seizing. If you are lucky you can spray something like this: https://www.halfords.com/motoring/en...enetrant-250ml into the key hole and try working the key in either direction to get it working again.

I thought a V70 would have had a key lock on the boot behind a small cover panel/flap. The boot ones tend not to seize as the cover stops water getting in.

[Clogs]

Originally Posted by acshortt5

What generally happens on these is nobody uses the key, just uses the remotes, and probably never lubricates the key lock either so it ends up rusting and seizing. If you are lucky you can spray something like this: https://www.halfords.com/motoring/en...enetrant-250ml into the key hole and try working the key in either direction to get it working again.

I thought a V70 would have had a key lock on the boot behind a small cover panel/flap. The boot ones tend not to seize as the cover stops water getting in.

My 1999 T5 doesn't have a boot lock, and the driver's door lock only works as an electrical switch - it doesn't mechanically move the locking mechanism, so you have to get power into the car somehow to get the doors unlocked electrically. My fix crawling under the nearside front wheel worked - I couldn't get the bonnet open as the side light cover won't come forward without opening the bonnet and fiddling with the cable will probably knacker it as it opens two catches and if one only is undone, you're still stuffed.

[acshortt5]

Originally Posted by Clogs

and the driver's door lock only works as an electrical switch - it doesn't mechanically move the locking mechanism, so you have to get power into the car somehow to get the doors unlocked electrically.

Not saying you are wrong at all but I'm genuinely surprised at that. The key lock on my S70 is definately mechanical and assumed the later ones would be the same.
Seems to me to be a poor design not having a mechanical means of entering the car. Also strange to change the design from something that worked pretty well on a model. Possibly a case of "lets canbus/computer control everything including the door locks because we can?"

[Dippydog]

The key of my P1 V70[registered 1/1/2000] locks/unlocks the drivers door even with the battery removed from the car,or all the doors as long as there's enough power in the battery,which is just as well as I don't have a remote fob for it!Mine also doesn't have a key lock on the tailgate[just a blanking plug under the flap]but I believe these were only fitted when the extra seats in the back were fitted.

[AJR]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I have not tried anything yet, as the weather is horrible.

It does appear the door key mechanism needs some power to it to fully work, it turns the whole way, but only 'clunks' slightly with the door knob inside only lifting up slightly. I doubt it is rusted shut etc as I often used the key to open the car.

There is no tailgate key lock unfortunately.

Also, I can't quite remember if it is this V70 - but isn't the battery actually in the boot and not under the bonnet? I havent looked for a while. Therefore no point in just opening the lid - I do need to still get into the car to recharge/replace the battery. This is a 2.0 litre petrol engine. If that makes a difference.

*edit* found the link, showing where the battery is. It is in the boot - I wasn't going mad!
http://www.volvohowto.com/how-to-rep...tery-location/

So, any new suggestions?
I will try the WD-40 Penetrating spray idea, worth a shot! Beyond that I am stuck and it may be a call out to the locksmith?