V70 Tailgate will not lock

[Purdydog]

Hi all,

I've come acroos a problem the tailgate lock on my V70 SE.

The tailgate will latch shut but will not lock in the closed position with either the key fob or the central locking off the key.

With the tailgate open I can manually latch the lock so that the central locking operates its. In this position the key fob will lock and unlock the tailgate hacth.

I suspected the keep wasn't adjusted properly and have spent the morning trying to adjust it in various position to no avail.

Any suggestions?

Regards

Barry

[GrahamB]

It could be a break in the left hand wiring loom into the tailgate. I had this, I think it was the yellow wire. It is a fiddly job, which involves pulling off some trim to get at the cable, unwrapping some of the tape around the loom and the clip around the hinge arc, then tweaking the individual wires to try and find the break. You then need to bridge the break, bearing in mind that it will flex. I then ran a second bridge over a longer section of the wire, which will act as a bypass if the first one breaks again. There is a fair chance that while fiddling around with the loom, another wire will break! If it is the loom, I guess that the alternative is to buy a complete new section of loom, which runs from top left in the roof above the tailgate to somewhere inside the tailgate - probably expensive!
The question is - do you spend money to save time, or spend time to save money?

[Purdydog]

Thanks GrahamB I'll take a look.

To answer your question it's most definitely to save money so it looks like its out with the wire strippers and soldering iron.

Cheers,

Barry.

[Purdydog]

Hi Graham,

Finally got round to braving the cold and looking at the tail gate lock, as you suggested it was a split loom - the purple and black wire to be precise.
Was frustratingly intermittent as the lock worked when open and not when closed.

Joined this and alls well again, apart from the boot open light remains on, is the switch for this within the tailgate lock or elsewhere?
I'm guessing I need to adjust the lock keep / striker plate.

Cheers,

Barry

[Chris_Rogers]

The switch is within the lock, temporary cure:

Spray light lubricant deep into the mechanism.

Tailgate open, hold the latch handle in the open position and work the lock catch back and forth with a screwdriver or similar while observing the lamp.

Patience should get it working again.

[MoonlightMolly]

My tailgate will not lock/unlock with the keyfob at all. I have been told to buy a total new lock mechanism, is this really necessary or could there be another underlying problem?

[MoonlightMolly]

also, there is no manual lock barrel on the tailgate. Are these easily replaced and do they need to be matched up in any way to the rest of the locks on the car?

[mikealder]

Most probably a broken wire in the loom going to the tailgate, open the tailgate and in the hinge line you will find the electrical cables wrapped up/ covered, take this to bits and check for broken wires, what year of car is it by the way?
I would be testing the wiring before spending money on a tailgate lock assembly as you don't hear of the lock assembly failing too often but the tailgate wiring fault isn't unusual on a 10+ year old car - Mike

[PEGE63]

I have an issue with my tail gate lock in as much as the latch is stiff and does not spring back properly when used manually (it has en electric tail gate). I have to push it pack on its way up. I can clearly see the pin being rusty. (used to have this problem on the 945's too) Have sprayed some WD40 for now and its a fraction better but not working as it should by any means. Car's got a years warranty on it, what will Volvo do if I take it in? grease it up or replace the bit? What is the minimum I should ask for?

[Percy topliss]

Originally Posted by PEGE63

I have an issue with my tail gate lock in as much as the latch is stiff and does not spring back properly when used manually (it has en electric tail gate). I have to push it pack on its way up. I can clearly see the pin being rusty. (used to have this problem on the 945's too) Have sprayed some WD40 for now and its a fraction better but not working as it should by any means. Car's got a years warranty on it, what will Volvo do if I take it in? grease it up or replace the bit? What is the minimum I should ask for?

Im sure they will do whatever is the cheapest option if lubricating the lock solves the problem then thats what they will do