Dead battery - cannot open doors t6.1

[ChrisoOo]

I’ve been to quite a few dead batteries, and used emergency keys hundreds of times. The only time I’ve ever had one not work was when a screw driver had previously been jammed into the barrel.

I’ve never been to a transporter with a flat battery, so can’t say for 100% sure, but needing battery power to unlock the door using the key sounds totally wrong! I used to have a Passat that had a habit of going flat after being stood, and used the emergency key in that a load of times when it was dead, it opened the door just fine so I don’t see why it would be any different here.

If I was presented with this as a break down, and it genuinely wouldn’t open with the key, then I’d be looking to supply power to the starter and unlock via central locking. Failing this, I’d airbag the door open, pull the bonnet and connect onto the battery, but that’s only good if you’ve got a lockout kit.

But I really can’t see it being true that you need battery power to use the mechanical lock, it makes zero sense. There’s a good chance it’s just full of muck and gone tight. Pump it full of WD40 and exercise the lock mechanism and see if it works. There’s always a chance that’s broken if it doesn’t.

Let me know how you get on!

 

[Widdzuk]

Spoke to VW. The key should work according to the person I spoke with: Got back to try the key again. No luck. Just turns. VW Assist / AA on the way. Update you again soon. Be interesting to see if that manual key works when it’s powered up again.

 

[Loz]

Spoke to VW. The key should work according to the person I spoke with: Got back to try the key again. No luck. Just turns. VW Assist / AA on the way. Update you again soon. Be interesting to see if that manual key works when it’s powered up again.

it will, but after it turns(to activate the microswitches) it turns further with a bit of force.

 

[Widdzuk]

All sorted. Had to jump from the alternator at the bottom. The guy said he hates working on VWs

Gonna have to get it into VW to check the lock and fix whatever is up with it as he couldn’t get it to open. Wonder if it was anything to do with the boden cable when it was fixed and if VW buggered / forgot to attach something - seems to be what the AA man was thinking

 

[Randolph]

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

@Alster my 2021 has lock on driver’s side but when looking at new vans at dealership they now have lock on passenger side

 

[Jonp40210]

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.

Loz, trying to direct message you but can't seem too.

I have a query for you if you have time... its a big one

 

[Pauly]

Loz, trying to direct message you but can't seem too.

I have a query for you if you have time... its a big one

Loz doesnt accept private messages but saying that he has pretty much left the forum these days and has not been online in a few months so your prob best to post a thread somewhere if you need assistance

 

[Jonp40210]

Loz doesnt accept private messages but saying that he has pretty much left the forum these days and has not been online in a few months so your prob best to post a thread somewhere if you need assistance

Appreciate that

Thanks for responding

 

[whodat]

he has pretty much left the forum these days and has not been online in a few months so your prob best to post a thread somewhere if you need assistance

Nooooooooooo.
His posts were usually the ones that gave me nightmares and made me wake up screaming.
The part 2's of his posts were the bits with the fix that helps me sleep like a little baby. With just a bit of whimpering.

 

[TheGrapeEscape]

Sorry to activate an old thread, but a friend of mine has similar issue.

He's got a T5 (2007) where battery has gone completely dead. Keys dont work on the door but.....it has air ride and has aired out, leaving now gap to get a jack under.

Am I right in thinking we could get power to the horn to backfeed it? Or anything?

 

[FWhite]

Sorry to activate an old thread, but a friend of mine has similar issue.

He's got a T5 (2007) where battery has gone completely dead. Keys dont work on the door but.....it has air ride and has aired out, leaving now gap to get a jack under.

Am I right in thinking we could get power to the horn to backfeed it? Or anything?

If he has a trailer socket, that is probabably his best bet.

 

[TheGrapeEscape]

If he has a trailer socket, that is probabably his best bet.

No tow bar

 

[Skyliner33]

If he has a trailer socket, that is probabably his best bet.

Out of interest how would you fix this with trailer socket?

 

[FWhite]

Out of interest how would you fix this with trailer socket?

I would try to recharge the battery from the trailer socket. Pin 9 should be direct +12V battery and pin 13 it's GND if I remeber correctly. I would use a small (i.e. a 4A) charger to preserve the wiring/fuse. It does not need a full charge. After a while, i.e. one hour, with the charger still in place, the central locking should work again. Of course this needs that the battery "collaborates" a little, but that is usually the case. If that battery would be able to start again the vehicle, that is another story.

 

[Dellmassive]

I would Jack the van up and go for the main starter motor positive connection.

Just use a small jump back connected to there and chassis that will enable you to open the van and the bonnet then put the van back on the floor and work on it more traditionally.

Don't start the van while it's up on a Jack or Jack stands.

 

[TheGrapeEscape]

I would Jack the van up and go for the main starter motor positive connection.

Just use a small jump back connected to there and chassis that will enable you to open the van and the bonnet then put the van back on the floor and work on it more traditionally.

Don't start the van while it's up on a Jack or Jack stands.

Sadly, we cant do that. The van is on air ride and is aired out. The chassis is literally on the floor, so nowhere to get jack

 

[Dellmassive]

What's the issue with the actual key in the door barrel?

They will open the door, mechanically?

 

[TheGrapeEscape]

For some reason, it wont open. Deadlocked apparently.

I'm getting all the info from my friend before I make the 2 hour journey to his to try get in. He had heart attack last week so naturally I've told him to rest and ill try help.

I've thought about using my electrical cable rods, pump bag in the door. Slide rods to the bonnet pull and hook it with my cable rod laso

 

[TheGrapeEscape]

The van in question.



Aired out. Battery dead. Keys not working in lock. Tailgate is electric with no key.

He's tried to get power through the fog light and horn

 

[Stay Frosty]

Pallet pump truck with the forks either side of the front wheel tyre, like how they lift cars overstaying on a meter?