When I first picked up my '03 XJR, I went on a repairs campaign... it was a nice car that had been a little bit neglected, and I've honestly spent the 3.5 years I've owned it getting everything into tip-top shape, right down to ensuring all the lights on all the switches work.

But what I never did - against my own better judgment - was get a second key. Just recently, that bit me in the ***.

I needed to squeeze another car out of the driveway, so I started up the Jag to move it out the way, then put it back where it came from. While I was moving the second car, I left the Jag running.

Well, sometime between me leaving it and returning to it, the driver's door closed and locked itself. I have NO explanation, but it happened. I came back and found the Jag idling away, keys INSIDE, all the doors closed and locked. Yeah, that's right, PANIC.

I raced into the garage and dug through my parts box, as I knew I had a key & fob from another XJ in there, and I was hoping one of the lock cylinders would be worn enough that a foreign key would work... maybe even just to the trunk so I could pull the fuel pump relay. No luck there.

I grabbed a screwdriver out of the garage figuring I was either going to break a window or a lock, but before committing I ran into the house and grabbed a coat hanger. Using a GM trim removal tool to pry the top of the driver's door frame away from the body, I was able to slip the coat hanger between the door and b-pillar, hook the door lock, and lift it up. Not to brag, but the elegance of my operation oozed professionalism. It took trying two spots on the door for prying, and two shapes of the coat hanger, but it was smooooooth.

Zero damage - door frame sprung right back into shape, no damage to the weather stripping or interior trim. I fully expected at least some abrasion to the rubber seal, but nothing.

The takeaway for me is twofold:

1. Phew!
2. Don't leave valuables showing in your X308, because a rank amateur with a coat hanger and a small pry bar can get them out in about 60 seconds.

 

Been down this road before in my XJ40 - just before it was time to go home from work. Had spare keys, but none at work.




Keep this in mind - and this goes for all the XJ owners .... whatever you do, don't assume breaking the small triangle window behind rear door is going to be cheaper to replace if you have to break a window to get in. You're better off breaking the window in the front doors.


Glad you were able to get in so quick

 

Its the same mistake US truck owners, pre 1982, made breaking the small wing door window to get in. The could smash the rear window (or pull the rubber trim off and glass out) and replace it for 1/2 the cost and get a sliding one.

 

I always keep a length of nylon banding strap to lift the lock knob.

Pry the door at the top and slip the folded strap in and work your way down to the lock knob.
Work the strap with an end in each hand until you drape it over the knob.

PULL BACK HARD & UP!!!!!

The door unlocks.

All the mechanics at the Jaguar dealer I worked at kept a length of banding strap in their toolboxes.

Glad the coat hanger worked for you!!!

bob

P.S. Please get a spare key!!!!

 

This reminds me that I need to get a 2nd key.

 

YES! I learned this by accident many, many years ago. My car (a Saab) and my roommate's car (a Hyundai) were both broken into while sitting in our driveway. I went to the junkyard and bought a $10 driver's door window, he ended up at a glass shop where the quote was (IIRC) $350. The obvious takeaway is that movable glass - like main door glass - is ultimately designed to be removable. Fixed glass not so much.

My debate that particular night was which window to break - front or back. On my current Saab, replacing the rear glass is a *horrific* job; on my current Audi it's the front. I've never taken glass out of the X308, so I was in a real conundrum as to which one was gonna be more painful. I was leaning towards the front, as I think it's usually the rear which is uglier.

I should get a second key and do that research.

 

Hit the front windshield ... most need replacement by now and are cheap

 

When ever I leave my car idling, I leave the driver's window open... Safe is safe! Or the door isn't fully closed. Enough to keep rain out.

 

Except a broken windshield is huge and will send glass everywhere (including down the defroster vents) and you can't even drive the car then. I don't think I'd do that.