hello gents,

i am on to my next prospective candidate for purchase...it's a 2004 XJR-"S" (silver paint/ black interior) out of california with 82K...that has a few odd notes to pick your experienced brains (thank you!) so as not to get someone else's refuge/ problem child.
the trunk will only open with the key.. none of the fob/ interior release/ trunk button will actuate the release/open the trunk so i am thinking the motor ? where the heck do i find one of those..?..
as well...for some reason there has been red welting/trim added to all the seat bottoms...huh..?...
that will have to go back to original.

your input is GREATLY appreciated,

max

 

It could be a broken wire in the loom that goes into the trunk lid. Every time you open the lid this loom gets a twist. If the loom is not positioned correctly then wires can snap after a while. Before you whack-out on new parts, best check the connections where they connect to the lock and motor.

 

None of the switches actually go directly to the motors involved in these cars. The switches are inputs to control modules. By pressing a button, your are "requesting" that a certain action be performed. The electronics decide if conditions make that action allowable. For example,m the trunk release button doesn't work if the car is in gear and moving, or maybe just in gear (I'm not sure.) So you can see that suddenly, your list of things to look for just got a lot bigger. That control module has numerous inputs that have to be satisfied before it will trigger the release motor.

That said, it could be a fuse, a broken wire, a bad motor assembly, or whatever. You'll need to find the wiring diagram and track down the signals, or find someone who can. It's not just a switch and a motor in these cars; everything is electronically monitored and permitted.

 

Even opening the glove box is a "request" !! Yes, it's a bit barmy

 

I had the same issue and replaced the motor last week. Easy job (about 20 minutes) but the part is expensive. It was about EUR 315,- ex shipping

 

An expensive thing to try if you're not actually sure it's the motor. Buy one that has a return policy...

 

No returns on electrical components, is very often the venders policy.
Awfully easy to switch many bad electrical components, then return them.

 

it was a no brainer. Lock already started to make noise in the weeks before it completely stopped reacting to either button (key/dash).

Trunk motors often ‘die’. Did not even consider buying a used part.