Hey Jag nuts, Out of the blue the trunk release on my 2004 XJ8 no longer works. Neither the one inside the car or the one on the fob. However I can open the trunk using the key. First thought was a fuse but nothing listed in the handbook. Any thoughts?
Thanks
Alan

 

X-308s had trouble with the wiring harness breaking where the wires were routed along the trunk hinge.

Start by looking at how the wiring on the X-350 is routed along the hinge. There is a plastic cover over the hinge arm and the wiring is inside.

I have not heard of this problem on the X-350 cars, but it should be easy to prove one way or the other. Also take the carpet loose from indide the trunk lid so that you can look at the wires.

 

Thanks I will start there!
Alan

 

So I took a look at the wiring and nothing looked out of place. I pulled out the lock mechanism and saw there is a solenoid thingy attached to it. I am guessing this is probably dead, there is no clicking at all when I press the key fob or the button on the trunk lid.

 

If your trunk is not popping on these cars chances are it is the solenoid that went belly up. Mine will currently pop up but not release completely, causing me to use the key each time I need the trunk opened. To my knowledge nobody has opened one up to see what the common problem is with them. When I get around to it I plan on opening it up and doing just that. Most guys just replace the solenoid with a new unit.

 

If the solenoid is not clicking at all, it can either mean that the solenoid is bad, or else that the solenoid is not getting any voltage when you engage the fob. Use a voltmeter to see if any electricity is getting to the solenoid.

 

On my xj350, the solenoid was replaced. Once a year I plan on spraying whit lith in the mech. Just a tiny dab. Not a tough replacement and Reno discounted the cost.

 

Thanks for all the info. So there's no in line fuse anywhere?

 

Has to be but with a multimeter, you want to see voltage when car unlocked.

 

This turned out to be a really useful thread from a message board. https://www.justanswer.com/jaguar/62...lid-stuck.html

I didn't bother to test the fuses he mentioned as they both were doubled with other things such as door locks and the clock which were all working fine. I did the wiring tests he mentioned and did get volts when the various trunk releases were pressed but not a peep from the trunk motor so I guess I will replace it and keep fingers crossed

Thanks for all the info.
Alan

 

Quick update:
On the off chance I threw in a liberal spray of silicone grease and yesterday I heard the trunk motor spring into life! Now it operates when it should but does not release or close the lock claw so I am still confined to just using the hard key. My guess is that when the motor originally stopped and went "dead" the main shaft maybe sheared? Anyway enough messing about

 

I had something similar a few years back. I ended up just replacing the lock motor. I believe it was around $150 and took less than an hour to replace.

 

Install a new latch assy and go on with your life.
The latches fail and the replacement is the way to go. I replace several a year.

bob

 

I replaced and sprayed with white lith inside, which I plan to repeat annually. A must have.