Hello,

I've made it almost 10 years owning this vehicle without clicking the Valet mode button until a few weeks ago I bumped into the button and sent the car back into valet mode. I originally bought the car with only the valet key, however at the time I opened the boot through the license plate hole and when the trunk opened, the car was released from valet mode. I programmed a key fob years back but can't find it now and bought a new one I need to program (historically the key fob unlock would exit valet mode). Over the years, the boot lights no longer work so now when I open the boot through the plate hole, the car is staying in valet mode. I also tried unplugging the battery for 20 mins and reconnecting it but it remained in valet mode. I got a new key fob, but it will not program I believe because the car is in valet mode. Does anyone have any other options besides getting a black key or filing my valet key down? Along with the lights not working in the boot, the unluck button for doors on the dash of the car also stopped working a few years back and my only option is to unlock the driver door with the valet key and manually lift the locks inside the car at each door. Maybe getting the power to the trunk lights fixed will get the car out of the mode? Any fuses to check?

Dan

 

The only way to clear VALET MODE is for the car to recognize the BOOT OPEN message.(boot light ON)
The message in the INSTPK will also read TRUNK OPEN or BOOT OPEN when the lighting circuit has continuity.
The boot lid switch often fails as well as the RH hingepoint wire harness damage from FLEXING.
Having only one key is 'courting disaster'.

 

Don't do this until someone else verifies, but I think there is a microswitch in the trunk latch. That switch might be bad. Here's the part I'm unsure about: jumper the wires that plug into the microswitch. That might tell the car the trunk is open. If that works, then you need to replace the microswitch and address your key & fob issues.

 

The switch in the latch can be 'shorted' to make contact but if the harness at the RH hingepoint is frayed/damaged then the switch is still 'out of the circuit'.

 

So I managed to find a few broken connections at the boot pinch point and used butt connectors to fix them, but no luck. Did I do something wrong in my butt connectors or is there somewhere else to look from here? Lights in trunk, as well as the lights for the license plate don't work, but the trunk button itself does make a nose when I click it indicating the car is in valet mode and the button won't open the trunk. Is the trunk button also on that wire harness indicating that there is electricity flowing through the wires? A little disappointed my butt connectors didn't get the trunk lights back on to kick it out of valet mode.

 

Relay # 5 in the trunk fuse box controls the Number Plate Lamp through fuses F19 (5A) and F21 (5A). There's also a diode in line though I don't know its location. You might short pins 1 & 5 of relay #5 and see if the plate lights up. Put a paper clip in the relay slot and turn the car on. If not, perhaps one of wires is still broken but not visible in the trunk lid hinge bundle.
Disclaimer: I'm not a real Jaguar mechanic but have managed to bumble my way into keeping some of them working!