Hello,

I have a 2006 Jaguar XJ8 from which I removed a dead battery. I opened the trunk using the key in the lock above the license plate. However, I cannot get the trunk to close. I tried simply closing the lid and it didn't latch (it seemed like it bounced off the latch). I tried using the key to see if I could trigger the latch with it, but it didn't do anything. So, the trunk is currently down, but anyone could open it by simply lifting it. Does anyone know how I could close/lock the trunk with no batter in the car?

Thanks.

 

Does anyone know how I could close/lock the trunk with no batter in the car?

I don't think you can.

 

Wouldn't applying 12 volts to the "Jump Start" terminals under the bonnet ( as if you were boosting a low battery) power up the latching motor for the boot lid?

 

Jump Start" terminals under the bonnet ??????????
Where are they???

 

Oops! There goes my famous memory again> In my mind's eye I was picturing the engine bay on the Vantage, not the Jag. My apologies to anyone I sent out with a flashlight looking for that terminal

 

Easy thing to do.

 

A battery charger that plugs in to the cigar lighter may work.

It is possible but not convenient to access the battery power cable on the bottom of the Front Power Distribution Fuse Box in the engine compartment.

When the XJ40 battery was moved to its trunk, Jaguar put a jump-start post on the right firewall/bulkhead. This continued on the X300 (right and left bulkhead) and the X308 (at the false bulkhead). Many German cars still have engine-bay jump-start posts. I don't know why Jaguar left this feature off of the X350, but it's easy enough to just blame Ford for the oversight.

Cheers,

Don

 

Sometimes the key operated part of the boot lid lock gets very stiff though not being used (it's a different part of the mechanism from the electrical operated part) so it helps to lean down fairly heavily on the boot lid when unlocking with the key. It may be that you're not pushing the lid down hard enough when trying to get the mechanical part to relock ?

 

I believe the technicalterm is slam it down!

 

That might work, but i would not try it myself.
If it was no longer working, i would give it a try.
But you just need a battery to put things right.

 

I did this myself by accident a few days ago..... I disconnected the battery to reset the system completely... then closed the trunk and it locked... thought I had bricked my car... couldn't find the lock. I was frantic. I have 3 other X300's and the lock is right there to see.... scared the dickens out of me. I envisioned pulling the seats to get to the battery. Then I found the manual lock under the lid by the license plate.... big huge sigh of relief. So I opened it back up. So long story short? it will actually close with the battery disconnected. It will open again if you have the key. And yes I could close it again.

 

Good to know, the trunk lid will act like any other car when necessary.

 

Some members have discovered too late that the trunk lid lock barrel was seized due to lack of use and they could either not insert the key at all, or not turn it once inserted. So it's a good idea to periodically use the lock with the key just to keep it moving freely in the event of battery failure. Now that I think about it, this would be a good item to add to the list of things to do at each oil change.

Cheers,

Don

 

Bring the lid down so it’s resting on the latch, insert the key and push down while turning, the trunk will lock nicely 👍

 

I searched for a photo of the positive terminal under the hood of an X350 - unsuccessfully! There are pics of X308 and I remember where it is in those, but have never had need to find it (so far!) in this car. I did see the following description but I cannot verify it so please take it with a grain of salt - I would not advise applying power if you are not sure, as the potential to harm electronics outweighs any one time benefit. It was intended to help someone OPEN a trunk, but same principle obviously to power the close solenoid.But THIS was a good suggestion:

The other alternative would be to use a jumper that will go into the cigar lighter port - or a charging device that uses a lighter. I assume your car i not garaged and you are concerned about security? Is there some reason why you need to leave it without a battery for an extended amount of time?

 

From memory, the latch itself has two "positions" (just use a screwdriver on the main latch part to set it).

Reason I know, is I wanted the opposite, to set my latch to not-close for some reason (playing around with battery charger wires at the time and wanted to not latch but get the trunk light out)

Play around with it. I'm pretty sure your latch must be in a "closed" position already when you bring it down, whereas it would normally be in an "open" position ready to latch when it comes down.

And once you've closed the trunk with no battery, good luck with the next bit!