I am stupid.

When reinstalling a ham radio in my 2011 XJ L, I removed the trunk lid, replaced it, but forgot to plug the latch control connector back in. I closed the trunk and didn't think it would latch since the connector was unplugged.

Yep, it locked and pushing the trunk button only futilely raises the back edge of the trunk 1/4 of an inch.

Applying 12V to the hidden connector behind the rear seat does nothing (since the connector in the trunk lid is disconnected). My 2011 doesn't have the kidnapping emergency pull cable. There are however several small access holes in the aluminum body between the passenger compartment and the trunk.

Instead of sawing open the trunk, my thought would be to insert a camera and long rod that could manipulate the latch.

Any other thoughts? Thanks!

 

Did you check the second Sticky Thread above?

 

You're not the first person to suffer this misfortune, and you certainly won't be the last. As you've noted, the mechanism is in the lid, not the body, so I don't see what a camera on a stick would get you.
If you read similar stories on this sub-forum, you'll find that the doomsday solution is to force the lid open. One respondent noted that "four guys at the dealership pulled on the lid until it came free". If I remember correctly, she said nothing broke in the process. In any case, you would probably be best off taking the car to a JLR dealer. If the mechanism breaks, at least the car will be indoors and a replacement part would (should) be available.
NOW, if you had a vintage Fiat 124 Spider, you could remove the rear number plate and drill a 3mm hole in the exact location a Spider forum member specifies. A tiny flat screwdriver inserted here easily pops the latch. Some owners drill this hole as a preventative measure!
Ain't progress great?!

 

That's a tough one since the latch is disconnected electrically all the tricks in that sticky post won't work.

I also did not realize that year XJ did NOT come with the emergency release cable inside the trunk.
I thought that was a federal law? My 2014 XJ does have this and so did my old 2005 S-Type? As well as many cars way back into the 90's.

I have done some research and are you SURE there is no release handle inside the trunk? Everything I have looked at indicates it DOES have this emergency release handle?
I looked up the trunk latch in J-Part and it shows ALL X351 XJ's have the release handle?





Item number 8 is the release handle and Jaguar factory parts list show this as the correct part for your 2011 XJ? It's C2P3676. In fact that handle was used from 2007 thru 2023 on a huge number of Jaguars? I think I would use your camera idea with the idea of looking for the release handle?

I do think you have one?
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His is not a North American model

 

But the parts books (JPART) cover the world and they make no distinction between NA and the ROW models for this part? I have seen notations regarding different equipment in different countries in the parts books before.
Not sure?
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UK X351s all have the glow-in-the-dark handle too.

 

All Europe models have glow-in-the-dark handle too.

 

In that case (presuming his T-handle is intact), he might try snagging it from an opening he creates in the passenger compartment. It does face forward, so that's some benefit. Although removing the seat back is not trivial. No easy way out, it seems.

 

That's what I think is his best bet? We have had several forum members do this on various other Jaguar's.
It will be difficult even with the rear seats out because of all the stuff Jaguar installs between the passenger compartment and the trunk. BUT it has been done.

Please post back with how you got it if you can? Sure will help the next guy!
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