'08 S-Type Trunk Won't Open Even With Key
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 3
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Happened to me on saturday
You're in a unique situation because your battery is disconnected. That thread was written for a battery that is connected as normal, but has gone dead. The charger connection under the hood was a lifesaver when the battery has gone dead and then you discover the key doesn't work on the trunk.
It was a two-part story because it also covered a convenient way to hook up a trickle charger to keep the battery topped up on cars that are not driven frequently.
For your situation, you would have to extrapolate a little. You can still get under the hood, so that is your best/only access to the electrical system. You only need to momentarily energize the electrical system so the key fob can unlock the trunk. I suggested not using a charger simply because it might put out a funky voltage pattern without a battery. So for your situation with no battery, clean DC from another battery is your safest bet.
For the other situation with the battery connected but dead, the use of a charger is way easier than lugging around another battery. And for keeping the battery topped off, that's a job for a charger.
Concerned about too much amperage rushing in from the battery you will be using? Just rig up a fused test lead to connect the battery. A 10 amp fuse would probably be plenty.
Be aware the alarm may sound when you apply power. Don't let that startle you.
Just curious, what did the dealer suggest?
It was a two-part story because it also covered a convenient way to hook up a trickle charger to keep the battery topped up on cars that are not driven frequently.
For your situation, you would have to extrapolate a little. You can still get under the hood, so that is your best/only access to the electrical system. You only need to momentarily energize the electrical system so the key fob can unlock the trunk. I suggested not using a charger simply because it might put out a funky voltage pattern without a battery. So for your situation with no battery, clean DC from another battery is your safest bet.
For the other situation with the battery connected but dead, the use of a charger is way easier than lugging around another battery. And for keeping the battery topped off, that's a job for a charger.
Concerned about too much amperage rushing in from the battery you will be using? Just rig up a fused test lead to connect the battery. A 10 amp fuse would probably be plenty.
Be aware the alarm may sound when you apply power. Don't let that startle you.
Just curious, what did the dealer suggest?
Happened to me on Saturday had to remove the number plate holder - once I got the key absolutely straight in (All the way) opened like a charm. In SA we have bulky number plates.
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Member
Joined: Jun 2011
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From: Florida
NONE of these techniques have worked. Tried the fuse box this time. Since the positive is disconnected it seems like it's not making a complete connection. Has anyone actually gotten this to work WITHOUT the positive cable hooked up???
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Oregon
Was there any response when you connected power to the car?
Something should have happened. I think the alarm should have sounded. If the door was open, the interior lights may have come on. Or if the positive battery cable was resting on metal, that should have blown the fuse where you connected power.
But no matter what, when power was connected, there should have been some response, good or bad. The only thing that would prevent this from working is if the positive battery cable was touching ground, but even that would just blow a fuse. This makes me think something was overlooked with the connection setup. Can you please describe exactly where you connected power? Where did you connect the ground? What did you use as a power source?
Something should have happened. I think the alarm should have sounded. If the door was open, the interior lights may have come on. Or if the positive battery cable was resting on metal, that should have blown the fuse where you connected power.
But no matter what, when power was connected, there should have been some response, good or bad. The only thing that would prevent this from working is if the positive battery cable was touching ground, but even that would just blow a fuse. This makes me think something was overlooked with the connection setup. Can you please describe exactly where you connected power? Where did you connect the ground? What did you use as a power source?
Thread Starter
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Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 76
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Was there any response when you connected power to the car?
Something should have happened. I think the alarm should have sounded. If the door was open, the interior lights may have come on. Or if the positive battery cable was resting on metal, that should have blown the fuse where you connected power.
But no matter what, when power was connected, there should have been some response, good or bad. The only thing that would prevent this from working is if the positive battery cable was touching ground, but even that would just blow a fuse. This makes me think something was overlooked with the connection setup. Can you please describe exactly where you connected power? Where did you connect the ground? What did you use as a power source?
Something should have happened. I think the alarm should have sounded. If the door was open, the interior lights may have come on. Or if the positive battery cable was resting on metal, that should have blown the fuse where you connected power.
But no matter what, when power was connected, there should have been some response, good or bad. The only thing that would prevent this from working is if the positive battery cable was touching ground, but even that would just blow a fuse. This makes me think something was overlooked with the connection setup. Can you please describe exactly where you connected power? Where did you connect the ground? What did you use as a power source?
I tried using this but it won't work either. Wagan EL9796 Easy Quick Jumper In-Car Jumpstarter
Learn more: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00005OW..._YJqzDbAT3K6PR
What if spllce two lighter connectors and I went direct from one cigarette lighter to another?
Last edited by EfficientLifeChurch; Aug 27, 2019 at 05:44 AM.
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Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 76
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From: Florida
Finally. VICTORY. I removed one of the fuses and used that post. Why the OP has me fishing for hot leads I have no idea. There's nothing under where there are no fuses. If I wasn't half-blind I would have spotted that the first time.
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