Rear Tailgate Not Opening

[palombo]

Hi, First post, I bought MY08 SE in July and to date no major issues although the fuel consumption leaves a lot to be desired! The reason for the post is that my rear tailgate has just decided not to open. I had found as per other threads that it was stiff and needed flicked manually recently to make the handle "latch". Now it wont open at all, should I hear the lock trying to unlatch (I cant hear anything) when opening the tailgate with the keyfob or could this be down to the rusty rod that mentioned in other threads?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[Miti]

Yes... It's the steel pivot-pin in the handle mechanism... Try this:

Push the latch release lever as far forward as it will go.
Use the key fob to lock the car
Use the key fob to unlock the car

Try to unlatch the tailgate.

Happens to ours every winter... Next spring I'll disembowel the release lever mech and intend to replace the steel pivot pin with a stainless item...

Miti

[palombo]

Thanks Miti, will give it try and see if I can get the tailgate open.

[palombo]

Miti, didn't work, it's as if the handle has no mechanism to latch onto at all as it just flaps from front to back even with me locking and unlocking the car.
Think i phone Volvo tomorrow morning.

Thanks anyway, was worth a go.

[Miti]

Originally Posted by palombo

it's as if the handle has no mechanism to latch onto at all as it just flaps from front to back even with me locking and unlocking the car.

Doesn't sound good... Don't know if you're prepared to "have a go" yourself, but the inner panel comes away quite easily, exposing the lock mechanism. It sounds as if the link between the release lever and the latch mechanism has come adrift. (not surprising if the lever has been stuck in the "open" position and the mechanism has been trying to return to the "latched" position...)

One thing is for sure... Your Volvo dealer won't "muck about" with tweaks and twiddles to try to resurrect the mechanism, you'll be looking at a new handle/lever mechanism (at least). Could be a good thing though, I think the later part has better quality components, as this only seems to affect early XCs...

Hope you get it sorted...

Miti

[renesis]

there is a guide on here which shows you how to dismantle the boot trim to get to the mechanism. at least you will be able to see for yourself what is broken.

[palombo]

Cheers for feedback guys, going to have a look at the thread which has the procedure for this problem set out in photos.
At least then I might have half a chance of repairing it myself!

Appreciate the advice given.