With the battery removed from the trunk, can I close the trunk lid and open it again using the trunk release button on the rear of the car?

I'm concerned about not being able to open the trunk lid if I close it with the battery out of the car....

 

With the battery removed from the car, the trunk release button will not be operable. I believe you should still be able to open it by inserting the key into the lock on the trunk, but just to be safe you may be best off just placing a blanket or something over the trunk latch, preventing the lid from closing. Since the battery is out, no need to worry about interior lights staying on with the trunk not latched.

 

I'll say 'NO' because the Actuator (item 3) is electric but you should be able to open it with the key because the barrel (item 4) has a mechanical link (item 5) to the Latch (item1).


(click on the image to enlarge it)

Pulling on my flame suit now!

Graham

 

Easy test: Disconnect the battery, then manually close the latch with a screwdriver and try to open it with the key.

 

Whenever I work on the car with the battery disconnected, I spring the latch closed and lower the lid just to be safe.

 

I'm not going to take any chances. I'll lower the trunk lid tonight but block off the latch with a small plywood board covering the opening so the lid will have to remain open by a couple of inches. Then I'll throw an old blanket over the entire rear of the car to keep out any debris. The battery gets reinstalled tomorrow after my Rustoleum paint on the newly-cleaned battery platform dries overnight....

 

The locks work mechanically as well as electrically.

 

Howdy Folks:
Just my 2 cents>>Make certain that your key will work before disconnecting the battery. (Only 1 of my 2 black keys will work)

 

I'm with Dr. D test the key/keys first! If they work then the mechanical is ok. I did this first before I disconnected the battery on my xk8 for the first time now I don't even think about it.