I thought I read on one of the threads about someone who said they made a big string loop and had the piece that goes into the middle hole in the rear deck that loop and held the other end of the string loop tight to make the bend down and it was a piece of cake to get it in. Then they cut the string loop and pulled it out.

 

Some manufacturers build their cars as if they will never need service/repairs. 40+ years ago I had a 1973 Lincoln Continental Town Car. Believe it or not, the air conditioner and the power windows were on the same relay! Totally stupid!

Dwayne

 

Dave, you and others have been very generous with your information. At my stage of the game the question is, how bloody do I wish to make my knuckles?
It is is helpful to know what chores are doable at my age and what are not. The funny things about us mechanics, we think we can fix anything. That may be true when you are 30 to 50. But at my age I have learned there are things I need to let others do. This is one of them.

I am taking the car in this morning and will let you know what the dealer actually does to get the trunk open. I would not be surprised if the keep the car over the weekend.

Cheers

 

I'd ask them to come get it tell them you don't want to drive it without turn signals and to bring a loaner when they pick it up.

 

LOL... You are mean....but you are right. I could do that.... but I am too nice a guy,...

 

Gentleman, and I use the term loosely, I picked up the Xj last evening from the dealership. I talked to the tec that opened the trunk ( boot ) and how he did it. He was generous with his time and explanation. Firstly, on this model one can not energize the trunk lock up stream of the trunk fuse box. He said the connectors in the rear seat arm rest do not go directly to the trunk lock. They go to the fuse box in the trunk, then to the lock. Hence the blown fuse stops any voltage from reaching its intended target.

But. not all is lost. He also erxplained that opening the trunk via a coat hanger or such device from behind the rear seat back is east.... Well easy of you have done a few. He said the best way after removing all the seating, is through the wire harness on the right side. I forget who, but one of you said exactly that in our discussion on this,

Anyway, the harness hole has enough room to fish a wire to the emergency release. I failed to ask him how he shined a light5 into the trunk and how he managed to get through the felt cover in back of the trunk that covers the back trunk wall.

There it is... all very technical in as much all you need is a coat hanger and a little time. He told me the first one he did took about 1.5 hrs. Now he does it in 45 mins.

Cheers.

 

A quick follow up. It looks like the tec fished the wire ( there are some witness marks) through the wire harness access to the trunk from behind the rear seat cushion on the drivers side and through the speaker hole in the top the of trunk that is on the same side. Hence, no need to remove the felt cover on the rear of the trunk.

That speaker hole lines up perfectly with the emergency release hook.

I should have told the tec to leave a nylon cord attached tot he emergency hook and trail it back through the speaker hole to the rear of the seat cushion. That way one would have a permeant release for the next time.....say 30 years in the future.

Cheer....

 

Glad you got the trunk opened and fuse fixed. Did the tech have any explanation of why the fuse blew or if it was just loose?

 

XJsss... yes, indeed. Good question. The fuse was not blown. It was howsoever wonky. Tap it and you could hear things clicking as you tapped. Meaning. the fuse was faulty but not blown.

I have to say, the local dealer proved to be much better than I had originally give them credit for.

 

JozJag Thank for the response. That's very interesting and a rare occurrence. Also, glad you are pleased with the dealer as there are many on the forum that are not happy with their dealers. I feel lucky to have a great dealer, also.