Hello F type helpers.
My search of various threads seems to indicate the doors/hatch won't lock if the bonnet is up.
Does anyone have a work around for this, I like to leave the bonnet up to reduce the heat soak in the engine bay after a run.
It takes hours so I can't sit around waiting.
any ideas gratefully received.

 

You could do something at the hood latch switch. I think it's open when the hood is open, so adding a switch that connects the wires would work. If the switch is closed when the hood is open, you'd need to put the switch in to interrupt the circuit instead. I think it's open when the hood is open because I have a vague memory of someone shorting the plug with a paper clip when it failed and they could not lock the doors.

 

Thanks Steve,
I guess I could play with the switch, if it is a typical press down type maybe I could tape it ?
I was hoping there might be some 'setting' fix.

 

Just push the latches closed using a screwdriver or pick. If the car thinks it's closed it will lock.

 

That sounds easy enough, I'll experiment, I'm assuming I would need to force them back up to lock the bonnet. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

No just pull the release inside the car, they are spring loaded to the open position. They do require quite a bit of force to put in the closed position, don't smash your hand doing it.

 

Of course, obvious once you point it out to me.
Looks like a neat solution, Thank you.

 

I just looked at my car. The switch is on the driver's side latch (US market) and the wires can be accessed once the plastic cover is removed (be careful to not lose any of the hold-down buttons - they like to jump into the engine compartment and not emerge). If this is something I were doing frequently I'd install a switch to mimic the closed position. Alternately, maybe a device that replicates the loop on the hood side that could be pressed in place and remain there with a red or yellow flag attached so you don't try to close the hood with the latch already closed.

 

Thanks Steve,
I'll check that through but I have to say I'm very wary of mucking about with the electrics on these cars.
Cheers

 

I guess I'm just curious as to why you would lock the car, but leave the engine compartment open and available to miscreants?

 

Well, I'm thinking the loss of some engine bits might be a problem but I don't need to provide them with the the transport to take them away as well .
The situation is parking in a high rise apartment secure car park, I don't want opportunistic *******s to upset my neatly laid out cabin bits.

 

Guess I can't say Ste alers

 

I'm fairly sure that even with the car unlocked no miscreant can start the car if the key is a decent distance away from the car, something like 20 metres plus I think.
If I am right you should be OK as long as your abode is far enough away from where you park the car.

 

Hi Oz,
Yeah, I'm not worried about starting it as the key is 300m away. I just want to lock the cabin so nobody can get at the things in there like dashcam, trinkets and a bloody manual that took me a week to print. I think the suggestions so far are worthwhile but you would think it should be possible via some security setting.
Cheers

 

If you are concerned about heat soak have you removed the engine cover?
It has been shown that this makes a big difference with the temp on top of the engine reduced by some 20 or 30 degrees.
It's there only for cosmetic appearance and engine noise reduction, basically to muffle the inherent ticks and rattles a bit.

 

Yes, I did remove the cover. I'm probably a bit paranoid, with my 928 I did a complete engine bay overhaul ( anything electrical or rubber/plastic replaced at about 170k km) it really needed it. I just don't want to have to deal with that with the Jag. Even with the engine cover off it takes 6 hours (after a sedate run) to be able to touch the intake manifold. ambient around here is about 28C.

 

I don't recall any such setting. If I were designing the software I'd be reluctant to include it since it compromises the security the alarm is supposed to ensure.

There are devices that can be used to increase the range of the fobs and allow keyless entry at much greater distances, such as a car in the driveway with the key in the house. I'd consider a container for the fob that blocks the radio frequencies (a "faraday cage"). There are mylar bags that serve that purpose, often included with toll tags and the like. I have a more decorative container that I've lined with that material. It's about 100m from where I park, but I think I tested it right next to the car. I'll double check that shortly ...

 

Check these out - What I have and they work great.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/2-Pack-Fa...MaAioWEALw_wcB

 

You can latch the hood latches, and then set the hood down gently on them if you want it to still lock and not be too obvious, will just look like you popped the hood. Will not set the alarm off if the hood is lifted, as it relies on that hood closed switch for alarm function obviously. I would avoid any tampering with the hood switch wiring, just use a 90 degree hook to latch the side with the switch and set the alarm.

 

Sounds like a good plan. I'm not too worried about the bonnet up as it will cool the engine bay more quickly. the hook to lock the switch is a good idea though.
Thanks