Whenever the trunk lid is opened more than a couple of inches on my 2003 xjr, the number 7 15 amp fuse in the drivers side rear seat fuse block blows. It does not blow when the trunk mechanism is activated, but only when the trunk gets past a few inches open. It seems like maybe a mercury switch or something in the lid that turns on the lights, but I cant seem to find one.

This is a real pain because when this fuse blows, it locks up the shifter and it won't come out of park without the manual overide. Any ideas?

 

Not had this myself but could it be a problem with the wiring that runs into the trunk lid for at least the license plate lights and also the locking mechanism ?

I think the wires are hidden under plastic covers that run down the trunk hinge arms..... you may want to take these plastic covers off and have a look and see if the wiring loom has somehow gotten damaged and you are getting bare wires shorting out when you move the trunk lid ?

 

SARC is right! The wiring harness at the hinge is known to rub the insulation and cause various short circuit problems.

 

So I took off the plastic cover and found the wire bundle to be in new condition. I pulled it off the hinge to look at it...put it back. Could not find a problem.

The good news is that now its fixed. It probably healed on its own, like all electrical problems can, or when I manipulated the bundle, it unshorted. I hope it stays that way.

 

John, most things that fix themselves have a nasty habit of coming back to haunt you at the most inopportune times. There's a wire in that bundle with a bare spot in it and it will find it's way to ground again.

 

Yes, I am sure it will, and I will order some of the disposable fasteners that hold the carpet to the trunk lid so I can remove the carpet and investigate further. When I manipulated the wire bundle, I could hear the harness under the carpet moving. I would bet that the problem lies there. I want the fasteners in hand so I don't end up storing the carpet in my garage for the next three years while I get to putting it back, if you know what I mean.