Hi, all!

I have 2 separate issues I’m hoping someone might know a thing or 2 about. I have a 2015 F-Type R.

The first issue: Windshield/headlight wash fluid not working. This was rather sudden. Working one day, not working the next. I should note, I live in Buffalo, NY & we just got pummeled with snow & cold temperatures. Car has been in the garage the whole time through the snow storm. Is it possible it could’ve froze while in the garage?

Second issue: The rear hatch/trunk is not staying open. I’ll go to the back of the car, open the trunk all the way up & it’ll literally fall back down. Not sure if this is a hydraulic issue or something, but it’s frustrating.

If anyone has any insight regarding either of these issues, I’d greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

 

Yes, the wiper fluid could have frozen in the garage, if you didn’t put winter fluid in.

 

Really cold temps can mess with the hydraulic fluid in the struts so that's my best guess as to the cause of the problem.
You can get special hydraulic fluid made to handle cold but I'm fairly sure the struts are sealed units so I can't see how to change the fluid.
Maybe warm up the struts with a hair dryer?

 

Are the struts manual? If so, they are shot and the cold weather only makes them worse. You need to pay attention to three numbers, the length compressed, the length extended and the opening force the struts provide. Also the attaching mechanism, usually a ball socket. There should be numbers printed on the side that you can cross reference. If they are ball sockets you can take a small flathead screw drive and gently lift the spring clip holding them in place. When you pop the new ones in, you should not lift the spring clip. If you pop it out of place, you're screwed. Ask me how I know.

But I thought the hatches all came with an electric lifting strut on the left side?

 

Nup, the power hatch was optional but may have been standard on upper trim levels such as the R and SVR.
The OP has an R so I am betting he has the power hatch.

 

Not standard on my MY18 (though maybe the Jaguar manager who specified it deleted the option?).

 

AFAIK the non-power struts are gas filled, cold may affect the pressure or seals. Suspect the washer will work again when it warms up.

 

Yes, sorry I should’ve specified. The trunk is not a power lift gate. It is manually operated. My F-Type does not have the power lift gate for some reason.

 

Do you hear the pump working? If you do, the fluid is probably frozen, and usually thaws as you drive.