Hello Jaguar Folks,

I have a 2005 S-Type and cannot unlock the trunk. I have made sure the valet button is disengaged and I have tried both remotes, the button on the dash, the button under the trunk lid and the key lock under the trunk lid. No luck. Ended up removing the back seat to get into the trunk. Pulled on the release cable and the cable with it's housing is now no longer connected to the trunk. I have tried to unscrew the plastic housing that surrounds the lock, but cannot remove it fully until I can open the trunk. When I try to unlock it (say, by pressing on the trunk unlock button on the fob) I can hear the solenoid activate (via a clicking sound), but the lock remains firmly in place. So I suspect that the lock mechanism has a broken piece inside that is keeping it from releasing.

So, the question is, is there any way to get the lock to release without using the interior mechanism? Is there some way to apply a screwdriver to the latch and force it open? Detach the mechanism from the car? Say the magical words in the correct order to get the trunk to pop open?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Here is my experience on my '02, although the latch mechanism hasn't failed completely yet:


​https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s-type-s-type-r-supercharged-v8-x200-15/adventures-trunk-release-206503/

​​​​​​I'm not sure if the latch is different on later models.

Two thoughts:

Push down on the trunk lid while trying to unlatch it. If the mechanism is binding but not totally broken, it may release if not under tension.

If no help, then you'll probably have to sacrifice the plastic trim around the latch. Remove any trim fasteners and then break out the trim piece with a crowbar or whatever instruments of destruction are needed. Then you can remove the three bolts that secure the latch to the trunk lid. You should be able to find replacement trim on eBay or in a junkyard.

 

Thanks for the reply KR. I did finally get it open. Like you said, I had to sacrifice the plastic trim, but after that I was able to use a screw driver to push the white plastic piece inside the latch over to the left and the latch finally released. I have ordered a new one online and now wait for it's arrival. Thanks again for your help.