Greetings,

Last summer, I brought my '98 xj8 to a shop that told me that had to "bypass" the settings on my trunk which then caused the trunk open switch inside the car not to work. From then, I could only use my master key to manually open the trunk.

I dropped the master key in the trunk and the trunk door came down and locked my master key in the trunk.

One of the dealerships mentioned needing to "jump the switches" inside the car to open the trunk?

If anyone knows how to do this, will you please advise / give instructions on how I would be able to open the trunk (without the master key and trunk switch working)?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

Sincerely,
toni

 

That the switch on the trunk doesn't work either...and you don't have another master key...

 

I find this seriously coincidental cus I did this same thing last night but on top of it my battery was not connected cus I was in there doing my fuel pumps. Well underneath the car in the wheelwell theres a place that has 2 metal plugs that if u tap hard will pop out giving you access into the truck and I simply used a long magnet and fished my keys out hope that helps good luck.

 

Not sure if they are the same but here's the circuit diagram for a 99. It looks like you could disconnect the security module and send 12v (+) to the orange wire. This would definitely open it.

Make sure to disconnect the module so you don't back feed voltage to it. Not sure if that would cause a problem but why chance it.

Good luck,

Ken Wolkens

 

Nevermind...

I just figured out the Security Module is in the trunk.

 

Two more bright ideas:

1. Go to your local Jaguar Dealer. They should be able to retrieve the keycode and cut a master key. Expect to pay about $100.00 without programming.

2. Remove license plate and cut an access hole so you can get at the lever/rod that pulls the latch release. If you decide to go this route, let me know and I'll get some pics of the latch.

Ken

 

thank you all for your responses.

hi Ken,

I noticed that the circuit diagram shows TRUNK RELEASE SWITCH in both the Fascia Switch Pack (location?) and the Security Control Module (located in trunk).

Do you have info on how I can get to the Fascia Switch Pack & locate the Trunk Release Switch?

Thank you!
toni

 

The switches are the one on the dash and the exterior one. (Jag logo in the center of the trunk trim above the license plate)

 

Hello
I used to always have a problem using the central locking switch on the dash.
Frustrated by having a problem with switch on the dash I tried this:

I started to use the interior front door locking button to lock all the doors, the trunk and the fuel filler flap. You just push the button down to lock everything. Therefore if you push it down then pull it up, it unlock everything. And it does work this way.

It seems to be the easiest and quickest way to lock and unlock everything.

We have a 2001 XJ8.

But this procedure should also work for your 1998 XJ.

I looked in 1999 Driver's Handbook PDF file and found the following:

on page 46 Pre-Driving Section - To lock: Press down the front door locking buttons to lock all doors and luggage compartment

then goes on later on page 46 - To unlock: Pull the door release lever or lift the locking button.

On page 47 - The luggage compartment is locked and unlocked electrically in conjunction with the doors.

Here is a copy of the image of front door and it's locking button:



Jim Lombardi

 

Thank you Ken, Jim.

hi Jim,

there's a message that says I do not have access permission to view the file you attached.

Will you please email it to me: ngoc_toni@yahoo.com?

hi Ken,

I will also try to see if I can get to the latch / wires from behind the license plate. Will you please forward a some pics of the latch?

thank you!
toni

 

Hi
I noticed that the Wiring Diagrams in the JTIS21 has 2 of each wiring diagrams for every wired system. One has the NAS in the descripton title and the other has ROW there in the title.

I found out the NAS one is for the North American System version of the wiring diagram and the ROW one is for the Rest Of the World version.

There are some differences in the wiring for the NAS or the ROW versions.

Jim Lombardi

 

Toni, others have referred to it, but I didn't see a response from you. Have you tried pushing the Jaguar logo right in the center of the trunk (above the license plate, in the middle of the chrome molding)? It's actually a switch. If everything is unlocked in the car, it should pop the trunk.

My apologies if you know this and I'm just adding to the "duh" advice pile. . .

 

This is the guy. . . located in the circled area. . .it's about an inch in diameter.

*photos didn't copy over. sorry.*

 

hi XJR-0220,

Will you please email some images of where the two metal plugs are located so I know what to look for?

Thank you!
toni

 

hi Jim,

I tried the door lock and no luck.

I was hoping to be able to get direction on how to jump the trunk release switches. But, I'm wondering if this is futile since the switch on the fascia panel did not work before I locked my keys in the trunk?...

and thank you for the NAS / ROW explanation. That's helpful.

toni

 

hi Booty1313,

i appreciate even the duh piles. 8-)

thank you!
toni

 

Look for any of the previous threads explaining how to pop the lock through the license plate bolt holes.

 

Here's a thread that describes how to manually open the trunk through an access hole behind the license plate:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/j...nk-open-34601/

 

Hi Ken
Good work finding that forum thread ("Any possible way to get the trunk open?").

Since the thread is almost one year old and has 20 postings in it, I though it might be helpful to include a copy of Forum member newuser post# 20 in the thread:

"Just remove the license plate and using a flash light look through the upper screw hole to locate where the latch mechanism is and once you see where it is, stick a semi long thin flat head screw driver through the hole and gently poke the mechanism where you see a small metal tab and it'll pop open."

And the other earlier one by newuser post# 15:

"I got it open in less than 2 minutes with the method suggested above by Gus. All I used was a long thin flat head screw driver and a a flash light to see through the hole and locate the latch mechanism. With the screw driver I lightly pushed on a small metal tab and the trunk popped right open and the valet mode was disabled (no need to disconnect battery). Hope this helps those with the same trunk issue."

I am sure these 2 posts will be helpful to others that find themselves in this same situation.

Thank you Ken for finding the thread.

Jim Lombardi

 

Thank YOU Ken, Jim and Plums!

Hopefully, I can get home while there's still some light out to try this out. Can't wait to try. Will update and thanks again!!!

toni