After reading of too many being unable to get into the trunk for a variety of reasons, I thought I might spend an hour or two trying to find a way around this by taking a bit of pre-emptive action!

Here's my solution, but note straightaway it is a pre-emptive solution, not a way in when the deed has been done, and was carried out on a 2005MY XK8 coupe. You'll have to confirm by checking that your lock can be adapted if from a different MY; I think they're all the same, although early models require the hole in the release lever to be drilled.

First move is to remove the two internal rear light cluster covers, held on by two simple turnbuckles each.

Then remove the plastic panel covering the lock and boot lip. It's held by four plain fir tree clips on the top edge that just pull out, four other clips that have to have their central plastic screw removed before also pulling out - be very gentle with the screwdriver on these, or they'll strip and have to be levered out.

Finally, there are four hidden spring clips along the bottom edge that pull off with fingers under the bottom edge. Underneath the cover the boot lock is under various pieces of black sticky tape that is easily set aside for access. It should look like this:



An important point is to note is that orange plastic capped lever - while it's Up, all is well, but if you inadvertently push it Down and leave it in that position, the boot lock becomes inoperable by the fob, the key or the boot lid button - you've been warned!!

Now look below the orange cap and there's a vertical lever - not the horizontal one! - with a small hole in it. That is the bit we need to be able to move from outside.


My approach is to start by drilling a hole as shown in this photo, using the fir tree clip hole already present in the top surface as guide for the drill.




I then raided the come-in-handy box of plastic oddments to find a suitable bush to suit my 5mm hole - size is not critical! - and added it to my other necessary parts shown here - -



That's a split ring, a length - about 300mm - of flexible wire, (or string!) and the bush - again not actually essential!

The wire needs to have some sort of 'stopper' on its end; I used a tight loop filled with solder, but a knot in the piece of string would do, as you'll see soon!




Now pass the wire/string through the hole in that vertical lever:



Then through the bush:



And then, from underneath, attach the split ring - or whatever you fancy! - and the job is done.



Check it all works before finally checking the orange knob is up and putting back the trim.
You'll find out when you test it 'live' that the alarm is set off, so I hope your keys really are in there!

Job done and Peace of Mind established!! You'll have to decide for yourself if this breach of security would worry you if you fitted it, but I think it's a pretty long shot that it's found by an unwelcome admirer!

 

Very clever application.

 

Great idea.

Wondered how long it was going to take you to bring this from the 'other place'.

Graham

 

Grat idea. Prevention is the key!!!

 

Astromorg - really nice and ingenious work there, thanks for sharing.

This should really be a "How to"

 

I understand the process, guess I do not understand the need. When I was working on my XK8 and had the battery disconnected, I simply unlocked the trunk (boot) manually with the hard key.

What am I missing?

 

When you're 300 miles up the road, your car is locked and you open the boot to get some stuff out, close the lid and suddenly remember that you put the keys down on the boot floor while you manoeuvred stuff around and your spare keys are at home! I know you wouldn't do it - but that's what many any others thought!! The guy who last suffered had not only locked his keys in, he'd not got a spare. Overall cost to cut a way in and repair after plus new spare key - £600! Your choice!

 

After a couple of incidents in my younger years I began to use one of those "hide a key" containers on my cars.

In case some are not aware of them, they are little plastic boxes that you can put a key in that have magnets on one side that will allow you to attach the box to some part of the underneath of the car.

I was always worried that they might fall off, but a couple of years ago I was sitting in a line of about 50 cars at a stop sign (in my van, not my Jag) and a young guy came along in in a 250 Dodge Ram and hit me at over 50 mph. He would not admit that he was texting, but what else would prevent him from seeing 50 cars standing still?

My van was totaled, as the back was severely damaged. Amazingly, when I went to turn it in to the insurance company, I checked and the hide a key box, which was under the rear bumper was still there.

 

Thanks for this useful post.
I've made a clean copy so we can add it to the 'How To's'

 

These are an excellent idea and I've used them before.

Unfortunately UK insurers are now refusing to pay out in situations where a vehicle is left with the keys. Both of my policies have specific exclusions for leaving keys 'in or on the vehicle' which prevents the use of these handy "hide a key" containers.

The US must be lagging behind us in car theft!

Graham

 

I still hope to do a version where you tap in a PIN number using the outside boot open button, and the boot opens with a backup batttery. I am not going to get to this for some time though.

 

The sooner the better!!!

 

Steve, you produce some wonderful mods for these cars.
I have to work with KISS methodology (keep it simple, stupid) and I'm frequently told so!
Absolutely no offence intended but I think I would prefer a piece of string as a solution for this particular problem.

 

Point well taken. I think the hanging wire is a very clever mod.

Before it was proposed, I had quite a number of people express interest in the electronic lock opener, so I had that in my plans. It still has the advantage of a more secure 'feel' . But how many thieves are going to be looking for a string to pull?

Not sure at this point....but I will not be making this decision for a while.

 

I know the both of you are not stuck in the stone age. I would prefer the electronic option if that is not available then the string!

 

Astromorg:

Elegant! The simplest solution I can imagine to the problem. Ceteris paribus, simplest = best.

 

I do not wish to be unfair to astromorg he worked hard on this and I do like his creativity and desire to find a solution to an ongoing problem my hat is off to him. However, I would prefer the other option as I said earlier

 

There are locksmiths in my area that can cut the tibbe key, but are unable to pair the key transponder to the vehicle, therefore it is a 'dumb key' as it will open the door and trunk, but will not start the vehicle due to the unpaired transponder in the key.

I am planning on having one cut, as I only received one blackhead key, and use them in an emergency situation where I have locked my keys in the trunk.

Also, Autozone and Ford dealerships sell the remote for the car, and I have been thinking of getting an extra one of those as well, and programming it to my vehicle, since I did not receive the fob either. I already purchased one from Ford a couple of years ago, and programmed it in the parking lot. The key will be for battery disconnected situations, and the fob for keys locked in the trunk with the battery connected, but I guess the key would work for both situations.

 

The quote is from the linked post and, respectfully, I disagree. Given the number of quiet offers I have seen from members here with either the JTIS/SDD tools to program that cut key (must do all keys together) or, failing that, get dealer to do so, why not go the extra step and have a proper set of duplicate, fully operational keys?

What happens if you drop your one good key down a roadside stormwater drain instead of locking them in the boot/trunk?

I offer this advice not to preach, nor offend, but to try to help all viewers of these forums, with sound practical advice.
Driving around with only one fully operable key is a disaster waiting to happen.

 

Yep. Two functional keys stored in different places is always a good idea for any vehicle. And so is stashing your primary key safely in your pocket whenever your trunk is open....