Pressing it usually does absolutely nothing, occasionally I hear the trunk actuator cycle but then if I get out to open the trunk I still need to press the jag-emblem trunk-button in order to open the trunk, so what does the dash-button actually do?

 

It is supposed to do the same thing as the emblem button. In my case, if I accidentally press it while the key is on, the latch pops and I get the 'boot open' warning message. I have to go close it.

 

My impression was that the button was for the release for say, if you were picking your buddy up at the airport and it was raining out, you push the button for him so he can lift the trunk to open it from the comfort of your driving seat.

Both the inside and outside trunk release do the same exact thing.

my other impression was that opening the trunk requires one simultaneous action of hitting either the inside, outside or remote trunk release and opening the trunk because if you hit any of the above by accident, you won't be stuck having to step out to close the trunk. In other words, if I don't lift my trunk before the actuator cycle ends, Oh well, too late, have to hit it again to open it. I see it as a safety precaution which I described above.

 

Not the case with my XJ - whether this is the norm or not, I can't say... but when I accidentally hit the button on the dash, I must go out and close the lid or the boot open warning remains (and the boot is NOT latched)... is this an issue with my trunk (boot) or is this the norm? I really don't know.

You're stating your 'impression', I'm telling how mine works. I'd much rather your impression be correct.

 

I have no idea...lol. I wonder if others can chime in.

 

I hope so, cause if you are correct, I'll figure out how to fix mine... I can't tell you how many times I've had to get out of the car to close that *&@^$ trunk cause I bumped that ^&@#$ button!

 

I believe that button on the dash should unlock the trunk only times when your shifter is either in P or N

 

Well, as stated, my dash-button only works sometimes but the trunk-lid button always works and I do indeed need to press it and lift or it relocks itself within a second or two (lid does not open by itself and cannot open it more than a few seconds after pressing the button)

This is a neat system, but also a bit annoying to have to instruct every passenger who wants to put something in the trunk...

 

It's there to annoy you when you really wanted the foglights on.........

 

If your trunk seal is 'tired' or alignment post have been 'screwed' in, then there may not be enough spring to lift the trunk when the actuator cycles., or conversly, it could be to tight and the catch does not release unless you have some trunk pressure applied.
You can screw out slightly the alignment post to increase the pressure, but not so much that it affects the alignment to the fenders or you may need to adjust the catch.