General: 70: - tailgate locking problem

ernie bluenose · Jan 24th, 2018, 08:04

Hi again all,

My tailgate seems to have a mind of its own just lately. Sometimes it will lock and sometimes it doesnt.

Now i think i am right in saying the problem will be the wiring in the hinge area,please correct me if i am wrong.

My main question is this, there is a keyhole flap on the tailgate under which is a bung of some sort which is very tight. If i prise this out with a screwdriver will i be able to use the key to open and close the boot or is this just a blanking plate and not used.
As usual thanks in advance. Ernie.

christheancient · Jan 24th, 2018, 09:36

I would bet on the wiring loom up by the hinge.

The 'bung' in the handle is normal. Early versions of the tailgate had a key-operated lock there; but they stopped fitting that lock when remote locking/unlocking system was later fitted to the tailgate. The 'bung' was easier than redesigning the whole tailgate for that upgrade!

ernie bluenose · Jan 24th, 2018, 09:47

Thanks Chris, So if the tailgate decides to stay locked before i can get to work on the hinge how on earth do you get it open. Cheers Ernie

christheancient · Jan 24th, 2018, 15:00

Good question! I've never had to do that.

My thoughts would be on the lines of climbing over into the back and seeing if the tailgate trim panel can be removed while the tailgate is closed? And/or maybe seeing if the panel in the top corner will come off with the tailgate closed so that you can wiggle the wiring loom about? I can't go and look at mine as I have a rag-top now!

huron · Jan 24th, 2018, 15:40

Hasn'y yours got a handle and catch like this inside? Sorry about the quality, bad light and the shakes!!

christheancient · Jan 24th, 2018, 15:54

Well mine didn't!

Perhaps some did though.

ernie bluenose · Jan 24th, 2018, 15:58

Hi huron,, Unfortunately no there is no handle or catch so climbing over the back seat is not an option. Seems stupid really. Ernie.

leerowden · Jan 27th, 2018, 21:33

Hey Earnie.

I had the same issue on my V70 with the Boot having a mind of its own. I went through the dilemma of wondering if it was the wiring as well.. A simple way to pin point this is to test if you can physically hear any mechanical movement in the tailgate when it’s locked/unlocked? This might take a while in your case as it seems to rarely do either.. But have someone lock/unlock the car whilst you listen out for it. If so, it’ll be the mechanism not quite latching/unlatching (just a metal rod) and not the wiring.

I eventually went down the route of replacing the whole locking mechanism (I found one from a breaking Volvo on eBay for around £50) and this rectified my problems completely..

Here’s the link to my write up of the job:

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=240181

I also have one of those interior handles in my garage that I had intended to fit to the tailgate trim of my V70! I believe they were a regulation if you have the fold-down child seats in the boot floor pan..

Anyway, hope this has been of some help!
Lee

ernie bluenose · Jan 28th, 2018, 07:56

Thanks Lee for the input,
Will bear in mind your suggestion but before going down the road of sourcing another lock i will replace the wiring first.

Not too difficult a job as i had to do it before for the high level brake light.

If that doesnt solve the problem then your link to the write up will be of great help.

It seems to have given up altogether as i have not heard a sound from the lock for a good week. Fingers crossed the wiring will sort it.

Thanks again for the reply. Ernie.

ernie bluenose · Jan 28th, 2018, 16:03

Problem now sorted,spent a couple of hours splicing in some new wiring and everything now tickety boo.

Locks and unlocks every time. Sprayed it all with silicone spray while having the panel off hoping it will give a little help.

Now thinking about fitting some projector lights on the front to give the old girl a face lift but thats for another thread.

Thanks to all.Ernie.

Jan 24th, 2018, 08:04	#1
ernie bluenose Senior Member Last Online: Aug 9th, 2021 14:43 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: walsall	tailgate locking problem Hi again all, My tailgate seems to have a mind of its own just lately. Sometimes it will lock and sometimes it doesnt. Now i think i am right in saying the problem will be the wiring in the hinge area,please correct me if i am wrong. My main question is this, there is a keyhole flap on the tailgate under which is a bung of some sort which is very tight. If i prise this out with a screwdriver will i be able to use the key to open and close the boot or is this just a blanking plate and not used. As usual thanks in advance. Ernie.

Jan 24th, 2018, 09:36	#2
christheancient Aged Volvo Lover Last Online: Sep 16th, 2021 10:19 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: A place in mendip-land famous for its cheese - and its gorge	I would bet on the wiring loom up by the hinge. The 'bung' in the handle is normal. Early versions of the tailgate had a key-operated lock there; but they stopped fitting that lock when remote locking/unlocking system was later fitted to the tailgate. The 'bung' was easier than redesigning the whole tailgate for that upgrade! __________________ Our children don't inherit the world from us. We are borrowing it from them.

Jan 24th, 2018, 15:00	#4
christheancient Aged Volvo Lover Last Online: Sep 16th, 2021 10:19 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: A place in mendip-land famous for its cheese - and its gorge	Good question! I've never had to do that. My thoughts would be on the lines of climbing over into the back and seeing if the tailgate trim panel can be removed while the tailgate is closed? And/or maybe seeing if the panel in the top corner will come off with the tailgate closed so that you can wiggle the wiring loom about? I can't go and look at mine as I have a rag-top now! __________________ Our children don't inherit the world from us. We are borrowing it from them.

Jan 24th, 2018, 15:54	#6
christheancient Aged Volvo Lover Last Online: Sep 16th, 2021 10:19 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: A place in mendip-land famous for its cheese - and its gorge	Well mine didn't! Perhaps some did though. __________________ Our children don't inherit the world from us. We are borrowing it from them.

Jan 24th, 2018, 09:47	#3
ernie bluenose Senior Member Last Online: Aug 9th, 2021 14:43 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: walsall	Thanks Chris, So if the tailgate decides to stay locked before i can get to work on the hinge how on earth do you get it open. Cheers Ernie

Jan 24th, 2018, 15:58	#7
ernie bluenose Senior Member Last Online: Aug 9th, 2021 14:43 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: walsall	Hi huron,, Unfortunately no there is no handle or catch so climbing over the back seat is not an option. Seems stupid really. Ernie.

Jan 27th, 2018, 21:33	#8
leerowden Volvo V70 2.5 TDXT Estate Last Online: Jan 29th, 2018 09:36 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: London	Hey Earnie. I had the same issue on my V70 with the Boot having a mind of its own. I went through the dilemma of wondering if it was the wiring as well.. A simple way to pin point this is to test if you can physically hear any mechanical movement in the tailgate when it’s locked/unlocked? This might take a while in your case as it seems to rarely do either.. But have someone lock/unlock the car whilst you listen out for it. If so, it’ll be the mechanism not quite latching/unlatching (just a metal rod) and not the wiring. I eventually went down the route of replacing the whole locking mechanism (I found one from a breaking Volvo on eBay for around £50) and this rectified my problems completely.. Here’s the link to my write up of the job: https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=240181 I also have one of those interior handles in my garage that I had intended to fit to the tailgate trim of my V70! I believe they were a regulation if you have the fold-down child seats in the boot floor pan.. Anyway, hope this has been of some help! Lee

Jan 28th, 2018, 07:56	#9
ernie bluenose Senior Member Last Online: Aug 9th, 2021 14:43 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: walsall	Thanks Lee for the input, Will bear in mind your suggestion but before going down the road of sourcing another lock i will replace the wiring first. Not too difficult a job as i had to do it before for the high level brake light. If that doesnt solve the problem then your link to the write up will be of great help. It seems to have given up altogether as i have not heard a sound from the lock for a good week. Fingers crossed the wiring will sort it. Thanks again for the reply. Ernie.

Jan 28th, 2018, 16:03	#10
ernie bluenose Senior Member Last Online: Aug 9th, 2021 14:43 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: walsall	Problem now sorted,spent a couple of hours splicing in some new wiring and everything now tickety boo. Locks and unlocks every time. Sprayed it all with silicone spray while having the panel off hoping it will give a little help. Now thinking about fitting some projector lights on the front to give the old girl a face lift but thats for another thread. Thanks to all.Ernie.

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