Hi everyone, I have a 2000 XJ8 Exec with a puncture!! I can't open the boot as it says in valet mode, I have both keys but the black key will only turn a quarter in the boot lock not the full 90 degs like it says in the handbook. Pressing the valet button just gives a beep. I think I've tried everything, locking and unlocking with the key, the fob buttons don't appear to work - I just get a beep, using internal boot release - a beep and valet mode etc! Have looked through the forums but can't find an answer - can't take to dealer as flat tyre, can't change tyre as can't get into boot! I've had the car about a month and the only thing that was temperamental was the central locking fob - just figured it was the battery and sometimes the fuel cap wouldn't open but starting up and off a couple of times solved this one. Please help me to get to spare wheel!

 

I am not sure about this but if I remember correctly it is possible to manually release the trunk lid. You must remove your rear number plate and remove one of the small black round stickers. Then you will be able to release the trunk lid latch by pulling or pushing on some part of the latch mechanism.

 

Hi JaguarXJ02, thanks for that, I've seen that on another thread but i've removed the rear plate and cant see any black cover thing, the only things behind my plate are the screw brackets for the number plate - can you be more specific on where this access hole is. thanks

 

Not all models have the hole behind the number plate. I think it was only on the early cars. Get some jump leads, put them on another car, go under the bonnet of the jag, there's a pos. terminal under a rubber cap, looks like a nut and bolt, put the pos. cable onto the pos. terminal and earth the neg lead, now try your remote. Worked for me when my battery was very low.

 

Hi Dinger, its the keyfob battery that I think is low not the car battery and I think I'm right in thinking that to get a new fob programmed, the dealer needs the car and I can't get the car to the dealer cos it has a flat tyre and I can't get to the spare cos I can't open the boot with the fob or the key and I'm not using the valet key - I have both black and green keys. Thanks anyway

 

You can program the remote at home. Go get yourself a battery and do a search here for fob programing. Took me a couple tries as it didn't seem to want to go into program mode but you can do it.

 

Try pulling the central locking fuse(s) out and putting them in again. They are under the back seat so might reset it out of Valet mode. If not pull all fuses you can get to associated with locking etc and see if any trick the car out of valet mode. It may even be a blown fuse that is causing your problem!! My filler cap wouldn't un lock and it was because of a blown fuse. S.

 

Have you tried black key in ignition, turned to on, and pressing the boot button?

 

You have to have the boot open Benebob to enter programming mode, I think I'll try the fuse option Stu and let you know if that works - fingers crossed!

 

OK Do let me know how it goes. If you're only in the UK Cheshire then you could always take a short drive over to one of the Jag Specialists in Liverpool or Southport.

 

Mine wasn't open when I finally got the process to work. Just the drivers door. You did try putting the black key in and turning the valet mode off right?

 

I believe you have to use the remote unlock function on the key remote. lock the car first and then hit unlock that is supposed to release the valet mode. a lesson I learned the hard way.

 

Hey everyone, We got the boot to open. Did the fuse thing but that didn't work although it did sort a couple of other things out. It appears that the lock on the boot was stuck and after wiggling the key about in it for ages it finally opened and the valet mode disappeared!! Hoorah!! Funny thing was though after all that, the spare wheel wasn't in the boot!! It was stored in the garage!! hehe!!!

 

Glad to hear it. Bet you remembered where the spare was just as soon as you lifted the floor.

 

Lube the latch/lock mechanism while you've got it available. And by all means, put the tire, jack, and lug wrench back in the boot...you don't want to get a flat while driving and not have anything to put on it...that'll cost you a very expensive tow.

Glad you're back in it though!

 

I posted this in another thread also:

I had the valet button pushed accidentally as well...folks wondering what does what.... and thought the black key would not open the trunk. However, I tried a second time, and pushed beyond the 'stop' which is about 1/8 of a turn of the key toward the left....and pushed on...it feels like turning through heavy grease or as if the thing were glued...but it did turn, and then released the trunk as it should. It also turned off valet mode.
Honestly, I thought maybe I was going to break the key in the lock, but once the thing began to turn, it turned quite easily.
Glad I did not have to go to Jag for this fix.
I tried the 'look through the oblong holes with a flashlight' but never found any tab to push. Maybe this will work for you as well.