Dead battery - cannot open doors t6.1

[Widdzuk]

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Silly me has left the t6.1 too long and now have a totally flat battery. Anyone know how I can supply some electricity to it to be able to open the doors? (Manual lock doesn’t work, as I’ve read that also needs some power, which I find absolutely crazy)

I’ve read about jacking up the front and accessing the alternator. Just wondering if there is any other way of supplying 12v just to power the door to open? I have a smart charger etc. will the repeater cables work for example?

Failing the above I’ll get VW assist out.

Thanks

 

[ChrisBell]

Hi @Widdzuk does manual open with key def not work? Strange if it doesn't.... Should be able to get in that way....

 

[Widdzuk]

It just feels heavy/ soft as I turn it. I’ll give it another go. But reading online someone mentioned it also needs a bit of power

 

[ChrisBell]

It just feels heavy/ soft as I turn it. I’ll give it another go. But reading online someone mentioned it also needs a bit of power

Ah. One of the experts will be along shortly!

 

[ChrisBell]

Think you may be right @Widdzuk seems a funny setup if mechanical key won't open to let you access to pop bonnet etc. Other forums suggesting vw assist and connecting supply to starter motor or alternator?! May be worth a call. There was also someone suggesting back feeding via tow bar electrics? Sure some people will be interested how long you left battery before flat.... Depends on setup etc I know but would want to bottom out why possibly happening.

 

[Loz]

The key Should turn, it might be a bit stiff.
otherwise you could get underneath and jump onto the supply side of the starter solenoid.

 

[Dellmassive]

Not tried on a T6.1 myself personally.

But the drivers door will always have a key lock for this purpose. That enables you to open the bonnet and get to the battery. (Incase of a flat battery or keyfob failure)

 

[ChrisBell]

Not tried on a T6.1 myself personally.

But the drivers door will always have a key lock for this purpose. That enables you to open the bonnet and get to the battery. (Incase of a flat battery or keyfob failure)

@Dellmassive that is exactly what I thought but a Google search earlier suggested different. If battery properly dead then apparently does not work!! Seems a very strange setup!! Did you get sorted @Widdzuk?

 

[Widdzuk]

Yeah, it’s got a manual keyhole. But nothing happens. I’ll give VW a call. But reading online people are saying the 6.1 needs power still for the key to operate manually ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[Widdzuk]

Fyi not sorted yet as I’m away now. I’ll update the once I do

 

[Spaghetti]

Yeah, it’s got a manual keyhole. But nothing happens. I’ll give VW a call. But reading online people are saying the 6.1 needs power still for the key to operate manually ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Sounds very odd to me! What a strange arrangement.

 

[Dellmassive]

yeh, defo update us with what happened.

if that truly is the case, then VW would have had to have an external power jump point somewhere, and make it obvious.

for standard recovery teams to access ( ie not a vw specialist thing ) like AA, RAC , Greenflag.

and in emergency . . .

as police and Highways agency require any stranded vehicle to be able to be moved etc . . .

 

[Gàirnealair]

Good luck, please report back, if only to help some other poor soul. You have not been silly, if you do not drive every day it's easily done.

I used to have a Subaru which ate batteries even faster than a stationery T6.1 .
Often the manual key would not work the first few times I tried it, (or the first few times someone larger and with less patience than me tried it!)

 

[Dellmassive]

hold on just thought. . .

we have an active RAC engineer/Tech / member,

lets ask him for any input . . .


@ChrisoOo

Work van Wednesday

@Chippie1 That drawer the Ovano Switch??

www.t6forum.com

++++++++


@ChrisoOo can we ask what the official procedure is for gaining entry ( with the driver and key ) into a VW T6.1 with a dead battery,?

my assumption was to use the key in the drivers door, -> open -> bennet release --> jump pack on starter battery --> start van.

but there has been a suggestion that the van needs external power ( for just the drivers door lock to operate?)?




++++++++



here is the link to the OP:

Dead battery - cannot open doors t6.1

Merry Christmas everyone!! Silly me has left the t6.1 too long and now have a totally flat battery. Anyone know how I can supply some electricity to it to be able to open the doors? (Manual lock doesn’t work, as I’ve read that also needs some power, which I find absolutely crazy) I’ve read...

www.t6forum.com

.

 

[BuilderJay]

My new Sportline only has a keyhole in the passenger door handle. Looks like another cost cutting thing as wiring must be for the standard LHD shell.

 

[ChrisBell]

Looks like VW have been taking lessons off Ford! My Transit Custom lock is on drivers door but when battery is dead can get in car.... But then cannot pop bonnet as release is in cill at passenger side (door still locked) thankfully battery under driver seat.

I think I'm going to make connections near footwell to boost as needing to do most weeks and hastle climbing into back, pumping seat up and connecting on! And also at same time sort out my Noco Trickle Booster thingmy Bob!

 

[Dellmassive]

our MY2018 Sportline has mechanical locks:

drivers door,
side slider,
rear barn door.

 

[Gàirnealair]

@Dellmassive
Interesting - just checked and my 2021 Highline only has a manual key/lock on drivers door.

 

[Alster]

Same here- 2021 6.1 Kombi Highline only manual key lock is on the driver’s door

 

[Peter Rhymes]

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Silly me has left the t6.1 too long and now have a totally flat battery. Anyone know how I can supply some electricity to it to be able to open the doors? (Manual lock doesn’t work, as I’ve read that also needs some power, which I find absolutely crazy)

I’ve read about jacking up the front and accessing the alternator. Just wondering if there is any other way of supplying 12v just to power the door to open? I have a smart charger etc. will the repeater cables work for example?

Failing the above I’ll get VW assist out.

Thanks

I had similar problems with my T6 Battery going flat after a month of no use . I added a Solar Panel on the dash to solve the problem . But I never had a problem using the key to open the door…