Cheers everyone!
New first time Jag owner of a 2003 S-type Jaguar here and the electric fuel door does not open with the button in the cabin and I have to use the manual cable in the trunk.

I disconnected the fuel door solenoid behind the gas flap and tested it with a direct connection to a 12 volt battery and it actuates just fine.

I probed the terminal that connects into the solenoid and it is not getting 12 volts when the cabin button is pressed. The trunk light and trunk button works fine.

I removed the cabin fuel door/truck release switch and took it apart and everything looks clean and in order with the pcb and buttons.

Does anyone know if I can jump the wires (and if so, which ones) to bypass the switch to see if the switch is bad or know where I can go from here to troubleshoot this?

 

Welcome to the forum.

sounds like you are hot on the trail. Wiring diagrams are here near the top of the page. Open your year and scroll down for figure 12.1 or 12.2:

JagRepair.com - Jaguar Repair Information Resource


One fuse to check in the trunk:

F46

Another fuse in the primary junction box. This is a small panel inside the cabin, near the right front door hinges:

F33

If both fuses are good, find relay R8 in the trunk. Place your calibrated finger on it while a helper presses the release button in the cabin. If the switch is working and the electromagnet coil inside the relay is good, you should feel a distinct click. If no click, try swapping with a known good relay of the same size from another circuit.

If still no joy, there are more things to check but try these preliminary steps first.

 

You nailed it sir!

thank you very much!!

I put a multimeter on fuse 33 in the front passenger compartment and got continuity there, and fuse 46 was good since the trunk lights work, but I tested anyway to confirm. I swapped the #8 trunk relay with a wiper relay from the engine fuse box and sure enough it clicked and worked just fine.

I’ll get a new relay tomorrow at Autozone.

thank you for showing me the repair docs site. It is very encouraging to see all those documents and this great forum. I don’t feel bad at all buying this older car for my high school son with all this good repair info out there.

Thanks again!
Doug Slater

 

My door started doing the same. Sometimes worked, sometimes didn't.
I got a bit lazy to remove cover panels in the boot and thought I'd try some WD40 spray in and around the door first in areas wherever I could see movement.
Took a day or so for it to work but solved the sticky door problem.
I now regularly spray the door and its surrounds.