S Type charging port
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
From: South East UK
Having read a few posts like:
"Help my batteries flat and the trunk is locked and I cannot get into it..............".
I went looking at our "newish" 01 S type 3ltr SE today. I am familiar with the +ve posts under the bonnet/hood/place where engine lives, of the X300, BUT, no such delights on the S.
Sooooo, in the engine bay fuse compartment are numerous "not used" positions, HOWEVER, these positions have a single male spade post standing proud. Thoughts abound, so probed with the trusty DCM, car keys IN MY POCKET, and surprise, surprise, they are 12v HOT, SWEET.
Made up a simple wire with an insulated spade on one end, and suitable adaptor on the other end (that will be your sorting based on the battery charger you have), and connected the battery charger, began charging merrily.
Now, based on that if you got a flat battery, and for some reason cannot get into the boot/trunk/rear compartment, a 12V supplied via these terminal will "power up" the car for access purposes etc.
Also a good point to charge the battery without messing with the stuff at the rear.
YOU CANNOT JUMP START VIA THESE, THE WIRES ARE TOOOOOOO SMALL.
Photo shows the wire I made attached, and the other 2 terminals are also 12V HOT, so you do have a choice of 3.
Attachment 29041
"Help my batteries flat and the trunk is locked and I cannot get into it..............".
I went looking at our "newish" 01 S type 3ltr SE today. I am familiar with the +ve posts under the bonnet/hood/place where engine lives, of the X300, BUT, no such delights on the S.
Sooooo, in the engine bay fuse compartment are numerous "not used" positions, HOWEVER, these positions have a single male spade post standing proud. Thoughts abound, so probed with the trusty DCM, car keys IN MY POCKET, and surprise, surprise, they are 12v HOT, SWEET.
Made up a simple wire with an insulated spade on one end, and suitable adaptor on the other end (that will be your sorting based on the battery charger you have), and connected the battery charger, began charging merrily.
Now, based on that if you got a flat battery, and for some reason cannot get into the boot/trunk/rear compartment, a 12V supplied via these terminal will "power up" the car for access purposes etc.
Also a good point to charge the battery without messing with the stuff at the rear.
YOU CANNOT JUMP START VIA THESE, THE WIRES ARE TOOOOOOO SMALL.
Photo shows the wire I made attached, and the other 2 terminals are also 12V HOT, so you do have a choice of 3.
Attachment 29041
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 203
Likes: 21
From: Livermore CA
I foolishly ran my battery dead and had parked my Jag in my garage where the trunk access was blocked. I thought no problem, I'll just put the car in neutral and push it forward enough so I could open the trunk and get access to the battery. No go, I can't shift the transmission into neutral with the battery dead. Then I went this posting and found the solution. Many thanks ! I love this forum !
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 76
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Good idea. Maybe I'll call AAA, let them deal with it, rather than risk blowing up my fuse box. Or is the fuse box thing not really risky like the dealership is telling me? I'm thinking if I find any positive terminal anywhere it should work, at least just to pop the trunk. If I hit a negative terminal, of course, I get big sparks. But I'm planning to do exactly what the photo shows. Also, I could put a 10 amp fuse in between?
Last edited by EfficientLifeChurch; Aug 7, 2019 at 05:12 AM.
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 76
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Veteran Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 12,031
Likes: 3,336
From: home
Yes you bring up a very good point! Any of these AUX points should only be used to open the trunk and/or the door. NEVER to jump start the car.
Once the trunk is open then attach your jumper cables to the battery and try to start the car.
How did the battery cable get unhooked inside a closed trunk?
Or did the trunk lid get shut accidentally while you had the battery unhooked?
.
.
.
Once the trunk is open then attach your jumper cables to the battery and try to start the car.
How did the battery cable get unhooked inside a closed trunk?
Or did the trunk lid get shut accidentally while you had the battery unhooked?
.
.
.
Veteran Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,882
Likes: 2,298
From: Oregon
1) Check the key still works to unlock the driver's door AND manually open the trunk lid.
2) Lower the driver's window to make sure I have access to the cabin.
3) Before disconnecting the battery, I pull the T-handles to unlock the rear seat backs. That way, if all goes to pieces, such as leaving the keys in the trunk, I can still fold the seat forward for access.
Something I've toyed around with is connecting a light rope to the emergency release handle inside the trunk lid. I'd run the rope forward and sticking out just a little from the rear seat. In a pinch, I could pull the rope to open the trunk. I'd tape the rope in place or lightly secure it somehow so it's out of the way until needed.
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 76
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Yes you bring up a very good point! Any of these AUX points should only be used to open the trunk and/or the door. NEVER to jump start the car.
Once the trunk is open then attach your jumper cables to the battery and try to start the car.
How did the battery cable get unhooked inside a closed trunk?
Or did the trunk lid get shut accidentally while you had the battery unhooked?
.
.
.
Once the trunk is open then attach your jumper cables to the battery and try to start the car.
How did the battery cable get unhooked inside a closed trunk?
Or did the trunk lid get shut accidentally while you had the battery unhooked?
.
.
.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 544
Likes: 184
From: Glasgow
Keep working the key backwards and forwards until the lock frees off.
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 684
From: The wilds of Montana
WD-40 eventually reduces to a gummy, sticky mess. A locksmith friend hates it...
The trunk locks, being more or less hidden on a somewhat protected spot in the license plate recess usually end up with road grit in them that was carried in water that sprayed up when driving. This sometimes causes the key to be less than fully seated in the lock when inserted. Electrical contact cleaner can sometimes clear the passage and allow the key to function normally.
The trunk locks, being more or less hidden on a somewhat protected spot in the license plate recess usually end up with road grit in them that was carried in water that sprayed up when driving. This sometimes causes the key to be less than fully seated in the lock when inserted. Electrical contact cleaner can sometimes clear the passage and allow the key to function normally.