Earlier this week, we had the unfortunate experience of having the gas lid lock refuse to unlock despite repeated attempts to get to do so pushing the interior button, gently and not so gently banging on the door, and uttering various oaths in various languages including Swedish. Nothing worked. Of course we were traveling away from home and did not have enough fuel to get home. Luckily we had a cell phone with a signal and called Volvo On Call. The were very helpful in locating a dealer that we could drive to with the remaining fuel. The dealer very kindly disconnected the lock and we were shortly on our way. Frankly, I was surprised to find out that there is no override on the lock. I seems to me to be a serious shortcoming to have a design involving and electro-mechanical device with no manual override. We had quite a bit of snow the night before we left for home and the car was outside during that time. However, the temperature remained below freezing and was just about at the freezing point when we arrived at the gas station some 30 miles from our starting point. I mention this because it is possible that the weather conditions had something to do with the malfunction, although I would think that this car should be relatively immune to wintry weather. I wonder if anyone on the list has had a similar experience and if so what did they do about it? I would like to return the lock to functioning, but would be reluctant to do so without some means on disabling it should it decide again not to unlock. Anyone have any ideas on how to fit a manual override? -- Njord "It is remarkable how quickly a good and favorable wind can sweep away the madding frustrations of shore living." --Ernest Gann
Our 2001 XC70 has a cable you can pull inside to open the gas cap cover. You have to remove the panel on the side inside to expose it and reach back inside to use it. This procedure was covered in the manual. If yours doesn't have this, you could probably install it ourself.
Reportedly the 2001 models had such an override, but not the 2002's--a serious shortcoming in my opinion. When I visit my local dealer to discuss fixing the lock, I'll ask if there is a way to fit an override. -- Njord "It is remarkable how quickly a good and favorable wind can sweep away the madding frustrations of shore living." --Ernest Gann
