I have a 2013 XC70 T6, on which the tailgate closed...and will not open again. Has ~90K on the car. This is a manual tailgate, not powered/assisted up/down.

0 - The tailgate is closed firmly, does not visually appear not closed fully. Does not move at all.
1 - Checked fuse #11 B under glove - fuse ok and replaced fuse.
2 - Computer indicates the tailgate is open (both via ODB and on dash).
3 - The tailgate open sign begins to flash on dashboard only when applying brake pedal while driving. No warning signs when driving when not applying brake pedal. Otherwise, car drives perfectly.
4 - The microswitch in tailgate handle "clicks" when I press the handle and at same time I hear a relay of some sort clicking very quietly somewhere near front passenger area. I'm assuming this is the relay that tells the lock to unlock..so again, I'm assuming electrical/computer items operate.
5 - Tailgate doesn't open/unlock when pressing tailgate button on dash or on key fob.
6 - When I start the car, and after trying to unlock the gate (either but handle, dash button or key fob), I hear a faint "humming" of a stuck motor/actuator inside the tailgate which does not stop, until after I pull the #11 fuse out. The humming resumes when I plug the fuse back in.

Tried pushing, pulling, knocking, etc. the door is jammed hard it seems. I do not recall seeing anything that may have been gotten into the locking/latch by accident and jam it. The "trunk" was nearly empty when this happened.

So, I am assuming folks that the locking mechanism is "jammed" and electrically cannot unlock the gate. OK, I'm fine with it, we can fix that I'm sure. But, can anyone help me with guidance on how to force unlock the tailgate to gain access to the latching mechanism? I read a bunch of other forums and posts, and there doesn't appear to be a mechanical release and also gaining access to the latch is difficult in any year of this car it seems. I couldn't find anyone's experiences with this year or similar design yeah, where the tailgate has one large piece of carpet molding which can only be removed when tailgate is opened. (There are screws on the side that hold it in place with plastic molding on top of it).

Does anyone know how to gain access to the latching mechanism to unjam it...so one can repair it DYI?

Thanks a lot folks,
Alex...

 

Did you ever figure out how to remove the carpeted trim? I need to do this to replace the tail gate handle panel. I also need to know whether I need to remove the locking mechanism as that seems to go over the trim. I can't find anything anywhere about how to do this on a 2011 XC70. Lots of XC90s but they are quite different looking.

 

 

Thank you!

Are these the screws on the side?

What do the arrows mean? Are the points where I use a clip/bone tool to pry first the upper insert and then the carpeted lower section out? Sorry to be such an amateur

 

bet it's a pry tool, arrows mean pull or move this way