Hi, I just got my first Volvo. As you can tell by my user name it is a 1988 740 GLE Wagon. I've tried doing a topic search but found nothing yet on my question. I can not get either of the rear doors to open. I bought the car from my brother and he told me one would not open. The other one did as I had opened it. I took it to a local Volvo guy to get a motor installed and when I got it back today neither door opens. If no one has a cure I would appreciate any input on how to get the door panels off while the door is closed. Seems like a Catch22 to me. Thanks in advance.

 

There is no good way to do this unfortunately-you have to destroy the door panels to get to the door mechanisms to open. This happens due to lack of regular use-they get stuck.

 

lev, Thank you for your reply to my post. I took your advice and pryed the panels off. I got both doors to open from the inside and the outside. I think I found what the problem was, the lock rod would bow down (looks like they ride in two (cheesy) plastic clips which they would no longer stay in) and it would not release the lock. I have a couple ideas for a fix for this but haven't tried em yet. I'm not sure if I ruined the panels as I'm leaving them loose for now but it didn't seem that I destroyed them. I'm also not exactly sure how they go back together either as I couldn't see them as they are put together. I'll figure it out though. Thanks again