so the original battery in our 03 xj8 crapped out last week...
I shut the trunk after I removed the battery and went to get the new battery..

I get back and now i cannot open the trunk. I have the master and valet key.. no battery in the car...

The master will not unlock the trunk, so i cannot get in to install the new battery...

Can I "jump the battery from the posts in the front to get current into the car enough to use the power unlock?

i REALLY need to get this taken care of today, as the wife has been driving my 928, and and i am in desperate need of changing the CV joint on the 928.. but cannot pull it in the garage until she has her car back....


I am really hoping someone has a nice easy answer....

 

Hi
This other Forum thread has information on how to open the boot. Look at post #23 through #26:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...w-fixed-58948/

Jim Lombardi

 

thanks for the link.

I have one question. Does this method require there to be power? My question would be "is the cutout thing that they were pushing a powered release, or a totally mechanical one.

 

It sure looks like it can be opened without having the battery connected.

I have viewed the lock latch assembly earlier this year on our 2001 XJ8. It has rods that are attached to the latch actuator (one rod from the trunk lock switch, also has a cable from the emergency release handle inside the trunk).

On the top of the latch is a metal piece that has slots in it with plastic connectors. This is where the rods connect to the latch.

Jim Lombardi

 

It's been a while .... but I do remember having to use some force to turn the key for the trunk to open. Does the key work in the doors?

But you should have no problem "jumping" the car from the engine compartment. Do you have one of the portable battery jumpers? ... great little things.

I would think you could use the connection at the bulkhead -- it comes from the battery ............. I can't remember an auxiliary + connection in the x308.

I would connect it with everything off and the doors closed -- hit the trunk button on the remote and disconnect the jumper.

 

Hi
I just found this information on the Jag Lovers website:

Dead battery-thought I couldn't get in the trunk. But I used the ignition key, turned it very firmly and the trunk did open for me. My battery died again and it worked again for me. I finally did replace the battery, but as I said earlier, the key will open the trunk.

Caution - be careful, you do not want to break your ignition key.

Jim Lombardi

 

I am able to get the key to mechanically open the trunk in my VDP, though it does take some more effort. Slow but firm seems to do it.

 

thanks everyone...

I will try the key again this afternoon and see how that goes..
I tried the taped over access panels at lunch today and had no luck... i could not see squat. So i will try the key again.

I had thought about providing power at the fuse block under the hood, but am worried that the positive clamp bay be lying on metal in the trunk compartment.. My wife's old car caught fire from a battery charger.. it was a caddy STS and the battery was under the rear seat.. i was charging, and somehow there was a spark, and walla, car was burnt to a crisp.

 

well, i got it fixed...

no luck on the key. I tried lubricating the key, etc... no dice,

So i fabricated some 12 gauge wire, with an inline fuse..
connected the ground from the new battery to the ground post just under the fuse block in the engine compartment.
I touched hot wire to the bolt that connects the wires between the two fuse boxes...

just as i heard a beep from the cab, i hit the trunk release button on the remove... voilla... trunk open........What a PITA... I have had porsches, bmw's, mercedes,volvo, and many american cars, this is the first vehicle i have ever had that requires power to unlock the trunk...

Key works fine in the trunk once the battery is installed.

 

Good for you and thanks our members to help you out
Some newer cars don't come with key hole to open the trunk .

 

Mine has the key hole, but it would not open the trunk..

Might be a gummed up lock situation