how to open boot when battery is REALLY flat?!?

[BahnStormer77]

the battery is DEAD.... to the point that I don't even get a glimmer on the ignition when I put the keys in (after opening the door with the key).

I can unlock the boot using the key, but the grab-handle has an electronic release, so I can't open the boot to get to the jump leads...

reluctant to use the neighbours relatively lightweight cables as I've jump started this car before and virtually melted the plastic (V6 TDI = LOTS of current)...

I'm going to buy a Bosch battery at GSF around the corner tomorrow, but was hoping to get the car running today, just to run a few errands.

 

[Jonay]

Cant you just hop in the back and get into the boot by taking down the back seats?

 

[stu22uk]

Hang on second.... I can open my boot with the key.. Just turn all the way to left or clockwise and it will pop the lock. Had to to do this for months until I got round to fixing the tired solenoid on mine

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

 

[Broken Byzan]

^^ Yup, just use the key in the lock. Same as you would in the front door

 

[BahnStormer77]

ah - maybe I didn't turn it quite far enough!

 

[BahnStormer77]

is it an electronic release though?

jsut tried it again and doesn't feel like any amount of turning is going to get it to release...

 

[stu22uk]

The barrel is probably seized due to lack of use.... It definitely will open it... Its mechanical requires no electricity. Try shooting some wd 40 into the key slot

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[scott b]

if its like the avant and theres a drop down panel on the boot for the warning triangle, pull the tri angle out and you will see a red pull cord, this should open the boot

 

[BahnStormer77]

if its like the avant and theres a drop down panel on the boot for the warning triangle, pull the tri angle out and you will see a red pull cord, this should open the boot

Saloon with solid bulkhead, no folddowns/through load at all....

**walks outside with can of WD40 in hand**

 

[BahnStormer77]

The barrel is probably seized due to lack of use.... It definitely will open it... Its mechanical requires no electricity. Try shooting some wd 40 into the key slot

WD40'd: quick squirt at first... then a proper blast until it was squirting back out the lock: still not having any luck... it rotates all the way anti-clockwise ("left"?) with not much resistance until it get to a very solid, metalic feeling "stop".... same going anti-clockwise...

Ttoo late for errands today, but when the neighbour gets back, I'll borrow his leads and van and get the battery going enough to open the boot, then I can sort myself out. I commute by motorbike, so not needed for tomorrow, fortuantely!

Usually I have all bases covered:
1) booster pack that was charging inside the house ('cos I had to use it after I left my parking lights on last night) - but the cables are in the boot.
2) heavy duty jump leads rated for TDI trucks - in the boot.
3) 240v to 12V converter for my cool-box, which can apparently be used to trickle-charge the car via the cigarette lighter.... but the male to male adapter is.... in the boot.

 

[scott b]

distroy the front grill to get to bonnet catch

 

[AudiLeon]

Pop the thin cables on from another car, it'll charge the battery just enough to open the boot.

 

[BahnStormer77]

grrrrr...... seems like the same problem again... but the battery is 100% fine (I bought a nice big new one just after putting this post up in Sept!), but the boot won't open again.

Not even a click or anything when I press the remote or grab the rear handle.

I've also tried putting hte key under the boot lid lip and it won't work either..... what could it be? Was working fine, then 30mins later, stopped... does it mean I've jammed a rucksack strap in the lock or something, but somehow still managed to lock it?

 

[razza1]

Try unlocking it with the key. I thought mine was broken as remote didn't do anything. Turns out the brother in law opened my boot via the key and locked it again with the key as obviously didn't know how any of the buttons worked. Unlocked it then the remote and press release button on the lid worked again.. .

 

[BahnStormer77]

Key can't unlock it at all... I assume you mean the key in the little keyhole above the number plate?

 

[razza1]

Yes