Why not power from underneath, say on starter motor?

 

Same difference, I guess.

 

I should think it would have to be a terminal that is hot (+Vbatt) with key in "OFF" position. Not sure the Starter would get you there....unless whichever poster we are referring to managed to lock his/her key in the ignition in "On" - not sure this is possible without some effort, though.

 

The battery does connect directly to the starter, so the key position isn't important.

 

I tried the WD40 shake rattle and roll. No joy clockwise or anti clockwise. I was often successful with a slim jim when I worked in the car business in the 70s and 80s. We often had customers and salesmen locking keys in the cars, so I became adept out of necessity. I'll get hold of one and see if my skills are still there after 25 years. Failing that, I will look into charging the battery by finding some connections underneath the car.

 

If you can fully insert the key in the trunk lock and turn in the correct direction, have someone else bounce the trunk lid up and down at the same time. Might just need that extra nudge.

 

As Norri says the big cable going to the starter solenoid is always hot but Rick's solution may be just as practical.
I don't know why the key didn't work.

 

With all due respect, Steve, that is not what Norri said. Maybe on S-Types....heck, maybe even on every vehicle manufactured in the last 5 yrs or more, the solenoid is co-located on the starter...but on more than a few I've wrenched-on and/or owned, that is not the case....and on those, I don't believe you find power at the starter until you actually engage the solenoid #justsayin....

For this application, either way - accessing the starter solenoid or Rick's port...to supply ext. pwr...doesn't look like fun...especially if you can't get the bonnet open (or into the interior to hook a 9V to the power-plug)

 

I haven't seen a VDP starter so I am not able to argue BUT unswitched battery +ve in a big way has to get to the starter solenoid wherever it is located - and it can't be far from the starter.
I believe all starters since the 1970s use the solenoid to pre-engage the starter pinion rather than the Bendix system so the solenoid has to be located on the starter motor but, being a Jaguar, I stand to be corrected.

 

This is what I based my comment on.

 

They both said essentially the same thing. And they are correct within the scope of this thread where the vehicle is specifically a S-Type. The main power stud on the starter is always hot.

It is also true on every Jaguar V8 model.

 

Unbelievable! I decided that I was going to solve my locked up S Type problem this weekend. I grabbed both key fobs and the valet key and planned to find a place from underneath to charge the battery or slim jim my way into the car. First, I tried the valet key. It worked? I heard the actuators unlocking the door. I put the valet key in the ignition. It started right up. No dead battery. I stuck the key from the key fob into the door hole. It went all the way in and was operational. Apparently my WD40 squirt loosened it up. I don't understand why I could not unlock it before. Both key fobs work. The only thing that doesn't work is the boot opening by the key. I will check the cable, lube it, reattach it or replace it as necessary.

 

WD40 is great to loosen up and free a stuck object but it is not the recommended lubricant for locks & tumblers. You can purchase a lock lubricant or lock graphite and use it.