If you remove the rear license plate you will find 4 slotted holes. Use the bottom right one. Take a long screwdriver or something you can poke around with and gently jab it around the locking mechanism till you hit the right spot and the trunk is open.
Learned that trick on this forum and had to use it just last week.
Good Luck

 

hi all,

Sorry to disappoint... no success on my first attempt. I did not have a thin flat screw driver so will try again when I get better tools.

hi Kenncl,

are you poking from right to left & upwardly?

please refer to the image in the thread that Ken found:

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

it is under posting #14.

should i be aiming for the latch assembly (illus #6)? if yes, which part?

thank you!
toni

 

**It looks like** in the exploded parts diagram, that at the top of the #6 latch assembly, there is a piece with a couple of curved cutouts, that rods from the keylock engage. So the trick is probably to connect with that piece, and wiggle it sideways. That should unlatch the latch.

 

Just tried to open again and with a little work did it. Long thin screwdriver, bottom right slot at about 9:30 position. Move screwdriver from bottom to top of back(rear of car) latch mechanism till it catches the right part and bingo.
Did learn something here, the Jag logo button opens the trunk!
Good luck

 

Hi
Update - I added a 3rd page to the PDF. It has a photo of the other side of the latch.

This PDF file has a Ebay Photo of the trunk latch mechanism and latch cover on page 1 (looks like it is in the locked position).

It has a full-sized diagram of the trunk mechanisms from the JEPC on page 2.

luggage lock parts.pdf

I also moved the trunk lid liner enough to use a flashlight and get a look at the trunk latch mechanism and the holes in the trunk lid.

There appears to be 6 holes in the trunk lid. 3 holes on each side - 2 upper screw holes, 2 smaller holes about 1 inch above the 2 bottom screw holes (has tape over them), then the 2 bottom screw holes.

The top of the latch where the release link and the actuator link connect to the latch mechnism is like a bellcrank on a model airplane.

Looks like there are 3 links (1 is a wire cable - inside emergency, other 2 are metal rods) when I pulled the inside emergency handle, the wire cable moved the bellcrank to the position in the photo (the photo shows the latch in the open position).

The 2 other link devices are on the passenger side of the trunk lid near the inside emergency handle.

The top of the latch mechanism looks to be closer to the middle of sides and upper and bottom (in other words close to dead center) of all the holes in the trunk lid.

Jim Lombardi

 

Good news! I was better equipped today... I used a very small bright LED light & a long skinny flat head screwdriver and got the trunk opened in no time at all. YAY!

Every bit of information y'all provided helped!

I inserted screwdriver as kenncl described at latch location Jim mentioned... aimed for the base of the curved cutout described by Boomer... pushed from left to right... pop goes the weasel...

I would like to thank everyone VERY VERY VERY much for your efforts and kind help!!!!!

On to the next challenges on my list...

1) How do I undo the "bypass" that the repair shop did that disabled the ability to use the trunk release button in the fascia panel to open the trunk? When they did this, my trunk light went out as well.

2) A much bigger concern for me is that I did not pass smog in CA last year. About 9 months before my smog test, engine light came on:

code P0420: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1)

After the auto parts shop read the code, the engine light went off.

I ended up spending about $700 at another shop - charged me to replace 2 - O2 sensors. Then told me that I need to replace the catalytic converter? parts cost: $1000 each.

My car is a '98. I love my car - although I wish I was more mechanically inclined - I don't think I can afford to spend possibly $2,500+ to get this fixed.

Please advise!

THANK YOU again for all your help!

Sincerely,
toni

 

Thanks for the update , I am addin' FIX tag just in case you may wonder why your thread was edited ,so therefore it will help others for sure

 

Hi Toni
Found this other forum thread - open trunk no lights but bulbs are fine:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...bs-fine-53317/

Several posts in that thread recommend checking the wiring loom in the trunk compartment for broken wiring.
Look at post#2 first, then #13, and #10.

Searched the valet mode issues and found this thread - how do i shutoff valet mode:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-02-vdp-49551/


You should start a new thread about your DTC code P0420, so the number of postings do not get any larger and the purpose of thread is not lost by adding a different issue.

When a thread becomes mixed with unrelated issues, it is no longer easy to find the postings about the original issue and its solution.

The DTC code P0420 could be a result of an exhaust system air leak. Check both sides of the exhaust for any air leaks between exhaust manifold and cats, etc. See exhaust diagrams in forum thread (see post# 9):
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...banging-58266/

Sometimes something like air leakage can cause a false P0420 code.

I am sure the forum experts can supply the causes and the solutions for this issue.

Jim lombardi

 

Hi Toni,

I hope you were successful in getting your trunk open. I had a similar situation a couple days ago. The next day I found your thread and it took less time to open the trunk through the bolt hole than it did to take the plate off.

Thanks for your post and to all those that replied with tips.

Joe

 

This worked great. Used a flashlight through the bottom left hole and then a long flat blade screwdriver through the bottom right. Thanks

 

remove the license plate and use a long screw driver. I've done it, it works.

 

you can get plastic valet key that works in the trunk from the dealer for around twenty dollars

 

I just got this jag and nnnnnno manual inside car....how do I lock car? the keypad isnt working and the car lot only gave 1 key....when I push locks down and get out of car.....the locks come back up.....DRESPERATE FOR HELP...CANT LEABE CAR UNLOCKED....GOD BLESS ASNYONE WHO VAN HELP ME..I NEED CAR MANUAL for 1999 xj8 jag.......thanks

 

turn the key, to the left, in the hole on the outside of the drivers door?

 

Here is the XJ X308 1999 fully assembled Owner's Driver Handbook PDF file that I created earlier from the topix website:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/a1glty7tiu...s%20manual.pdf

I also found this XJ X308 1999 Vehicle Care Handbook PDF file somewhere on the internet around the end of January 2013:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/grqvg520q5...20Handbook.pdf

Jim Lombardi

 

[QUOTE=Sinister 1;388329]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 l

 

We've drilled SEVERAL Large holes behind where the license plate was with ZERO luck. since the top is down, car in Valet mode and storms a'rollin in, I am DESPERATE for a way to retrieve my ONLY key.

Pics would be so helpful.

 

What model and year did you succeed with this. We were not successful. I sit here watching a tornado rolling in and my jag is outside with the top down

 

It sounds as though you have a door or two that the automatic locks are not working. Sometimes they just need to be lubricated a bit.
I am unsure if this will work on a '99, but on the Duchess which is a 2003, when you place your key in the RH door lock and turn it to the right after a few seconds, all the windows will lower.
You could then walk around the car and lock all the doors. Using the key and turning the key to the left, after a second or two, all the windows will raise and it locks the doors.

 

XJ8 sedans do NOT have convertible tops!!!!!!!