I can has car!!!!

[collwen]

The Volvo is insured, registered, and in my possession.

I have to get used to shifting with a foreign car automatic transmission- the only other cars that I've owned with a gear shit down by my knee have all been manual transmissions.

I LOVE power mirrors. And the working heated seats. Cruise control is neat too- I've never had it on one of my own cars before.

Only one problem- When I first looked at the car all the doors and the tailgate opened and shut normally. Now the tailgate isn't opening from the outside. I can turn the key to the left (lock position) but not to the right (unlock position). I can fold down a seat, reach through the back, and open the tailgate from the inside with no problems. I have 2 keys and have tried both. For those who have owned Volvos before- any suggestions?

Comments

[ioldanach.livejournal.com]

Check with the previous owner, it does sound to me like you've engaged some sort of valet lock. You can usually engage the lock with a valet key but not disengage it. Hopefully you don't have two valet keys.

[collwen.livejournal.com]

well, I've tried both keys....

[tomatoe333.livejournal.com]

I remember something akin to what ioldanach said, but check with the previous owner, or read the owner's manual.

On both of my large Volvos, the trunk/hatch locked and unlocked with the rest of the locks on the car when the driver's door was unlocked.

[collwen.livejournal.com]

it doesn't seem to unlock when I open the rest of the locks. I've unlocked the door via the driver's side then gone back to the hatch and it won't open.

Don't have a specific owner's manual (it's gotten lost in transition- the seller is looking for it).

[tomatoe333.livejournal.com]

Do the rest of the doors on the car unlock when you unlock the driver's door with the key? How about if you sit in the driver's seat and lock/unlock them with the button on the door?

If they do lock/unlock with the button, but not with the key, then you're most likely using the valet key. The valet key will also not lock/unlock the glovebox.

You may be able to go to a Volvo dealer, give them the VIN for the car, and have a key made. Another option is to find a junkyard, ask for their box of Volvo keys, and try them all. :-)

[auntiero.livejournal.com]

Ditto on what ioldanach said. Usually the valet key has a letter on it.

Also, check to see if you have a trunk release by the driver's seat.

[collwen.livejournal.com]

I'll check the keys later (when I'm back at my office) but I didn't notice a letter on them. I also tried both keys.

[jennythe-reader.livejournal.com]

Yay, car!!! Other than the oddness with the trunk, it sounds like a great car.

[whildbill.livejournal.com]

Power mirrors are indeed an excellent thing. And cruise is one of the very best things to have on a car, IMO. Once you've had it, you'll not want to go back...

[dwarven-brewer.livejournal.com]

+1 on cruise. Plus you'll save on gas with it, too. Just set it and forget it on long drives. (If you play with/adjust it to much you won't get any real benefit.)