Hi Everybody...first post here.

I just picked up a '97 XJR. Here are my symptoms...

The glovebox and trunk will not open with the black key.

The trunk will not open from the cockpit with the button on the dash.

I just replaced the battery in my remote, but when I push either the unlock or lock button on it, the light flashes rapidly. but nothing happens.

I tried to program the remote using the "rock the valet switch 5 times method" as well as the "flash the high beam stalk several times method," to no avail.

Are there fuses that I can check (not inconveniently located in the trunk?)

I've spent the last few years working on Porsches, and I thought they were a PITA, but this thing is really irritating me! hahaha

 

Hi Lew,

Thanks for the reply. I'm unable to get into the trunk (either the physical lock tumbler is seized from not being used, or the electrical gremlins won't let me in). Is there another way to access the positive terminal of the battery, other than the trunk?

Thanks,

Mike

 

Thanks for the reply! I've been pb-blastering/wd-40'ing it for a couple of days now, to no avail.

the key turns, but it still won't open. i've read conflicting things....some of the jags need the trunk to be opened via an electrical switch, working in concert with the key. there is a push-button (the cat face) right in the center of the trunk lid. if i turn the key, and push that button, nothing happens. if i turn the key, without pushing the cat face button, nothing happens. when i hit the trunk button on the dash, i can't even hear it attempting to electrical pop open the trunk.

istill think the valet mode is an underlying causehere.

 

Im in the same boat. I have a 2001 XJ8 and my car is stuck in valet mode and my trunk is locked. In fact, I have the same situation with accessing via the key. Unfortunately, I may have to take it to the dealer. winters coming and if I get a flat, im screwed. If I find a solution I will let you know

 

Solution:

I have figured out how to fix this problem, without having to take it to the dealer.

Remove your license plate. Youll notice there are 4 slots that the threaded plastic inserts (for affixing the plate) go into. Get a long (8 inch) automotive hook tool, and slide it through the slot on the bottom right. If you wiggle around, with patience, you should be able to pop open the trunk.

Once the trunk is open (on the X300s, that I know of) you can remove the trunk lid fabric liner. On the passenger side, you'll see two 10mm nuts holding the lock cylinder on. If the lock is seized, and PB blaster doesnt work, youll have to remove it. Remove the two 10mm nuts, and pull the lock cylinder out. At this point, rotate it off of the threaded rod (noting approximately how far it was threaded on).

Take the lock and soak it in PB Blaster or WD-40. I removed the arm and spring from my lock and then put it in my vice to hold it. By using a wrench to turn the cylinder, I was able to free it up. Once it was free, I re-lubricated it with a graphite-based lubricant.

Re-install the cylinder into the trunk, and test its operation.

Ironically, when I did this, my car was no longer in valet mode (the button on the dash, now worked).

Mike