Tailgate twitches but fails to open first time.

[Pidgeonpost]

Recently the tailgate on our V70 has started to fail to open at the first attempt. You can hear it unlock, and the tailgate gives a twitch as if it's about to open, then gives up. A second press invariable gets it lifted. The area around the catch can get a bit grubby from the dog getting in and out, but cleaning it carefully has made no difference. Any clues please?

[100K+]

I don’t know definitely but my suggestion would be that there is an issue with the lifting struts?. Not sure but I think Swedish Volvo did a video about how to check/change them.
Cheers Bob

[Pidgeonpost]

That's a good point Bob, but the struts were replaced with Stabilus struts, same part number as the originals, last year. What I omitted to say was that sometimes the tailgate opens first time with no hiccup. It's only started happening since the car was serviced recently. That'll teach me - if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[100K+]

I'm going to suggest the natural position for the tailgate is up. Only the latch keeps it closed. Take the latch away the tailgate opens. If when you try to open the tailgate it moves as in Swedish volvo video the problem id say was strut. If it don't move at all I'd say problem was latch.
I'd also consider temperature. If it was strut issue, I'd suspect more fails in colder weather. (Less gas pressure in strut.
Cheers Bob

[Pidgeonpost]

Certainly the old struts were pretty lazy in cold weather, so you'd imagine newish ones would be reasonable responsive during what passes as Summer in the UK. I noticed when cleaning the area that the steel retainer at bumper level is quite shiny on the left hand side. This. may be normal - I don't know.
I'll have a look for the Swedish Volvo video on YouTube.

[Kev0607]

The handle you pull to open the boot has a pin above it. That's common to get rusty, meaning when you pull the handle, it kind of sticks. So the boot doesn't receive the command the same as it would if the pin wasn't rusty.

Near the pin is a microswitch. The wiring to that can get corroded.

My guess is the handle is sticking, the pin underneath it is all rusted or the microswitch is on its way out. This video shows the process of replacement on an XC70, but the V70 is the same. Its not a cheap part unfortunately, but if you buy the whole thing, you get a new handle, pin and microswitch.

+ YouTube Video

[Pidgeonpost]

Thanks Kev0607...I need a bit of time to get to grips with this (and the intermittent rear parking sensors).

[MCFastybloke]

My tailgate does this, New Struts,New bump stops and new tailgate handle. All gen Volvo parts. Its like the drivers side wont activate as the tailgate twists a bit.

[Pidgeonpost]

You're spot on with this one Kev! Most of the time I use the button on the remote and don't give a thought to the handle and its relationship with the latch. Yesterday I tried operating the handle a few times and sure enough the operation is stiff and the pin is rusty as hell. No time to investigate further but a good burst of PTFE spray and multiple test openings and the performance is back to how it should be. My first question was whether I could replace the rusty bit with a bit of stainless steel rod, but having watched the video through I'm not sure that's possible. Anyway, for now it's working. Several secondhand ones on eBay but I guess they may have the same problem. Thanks for posting the video.

[Kev0607]

Originally Posted by Pidgeonpost

You're spot on with this one Kev! Most of the time I use the button on the remote and don't give a thought to the handle and its relationship with the latch. Yesterday I tried operating the handle a few times and sure enough the operation is stiff and the pin is rusty as hell. No time to investigate further but a good burst of PTFE spray and multiple test openings and the performance is back to how it should be. My first question was whether I could replace the rusty bit with a bit of stainless steel rod, but having watched the video through I'm not sure that's possible. Anyway, for now it's working. Several secondhand ones on eBay but I guess they may have the same problem. Thanks for posting the video.

You're welcome. Good to hear its working again.

I'm not sure if the stainless steel rod would work. It sounds like a good idea, but I'm not sure if Volvo have put a specific size pin in that'll be very difficult to match in another material in terms of size. As you can see from the video, the best fix is a whole unit (new handle, microswitch, number plate bulb holders)... Unfortunately, that's not cheap. If there's second hand ones available, if you can get a good one, it might be worth a shot. Like anything second hand, its a gamble.

Being honest, if its working for now, I'd just keep it lubricated on a regular basis throughout the year. Try to use the handle a bit more as opposed to just the key to open the boot.