My boot-lock was jammed with dirt and my battery was flat. I got the boot open with a spare battery connected to the points under the hood. I removed the boot-lock and cleansed and oiled it, but it would still jam from time to time. I took the lock apart and there was a little steel pin riding in a groove in the cylinder. The groove was damaged, thus jamming the turn of the key. I removed the pin and it was all fine. The consequence is that you could open my boot with another key or even a tiny screwdriver. But I don't keep any valuables in there, so I don't mind. And with the lock well oiled I can always open my boot with the key. I wanted to share this in the case that anyone would face the same problem as I did. Gods speed to you out there!
I've just seen this after investigating why the boot key didn't work, I hadn't realised the consequences if it didn't! I took the mechanism out and apart (not difficult), saw there was some surface rust and muck on the barrels where the pin locates, stopping the pin dropping into the recesses in the unlock position, cleaned any muck out with carb cleaner, dried it, then used a silicon spray to lubricate all the moving parts whilst working it continuously. The result? A very smoothly operating boot key lock with no binding, and no worry about having to resort to some of the extreme measures in the video. A very big hearty thank you John!
You are a love! I am 83, still driving, but not often. Had a dead battery, the boot wouldn't open. I knew there was a secret place, but I didn't remember where. Your RUclips saved the day. Let's see if I can retain where the secret hole is!.
A good precaution for any lock cables is to lubricate them with silicon oil. This displaces water and allows cables to operate smoothly and doesnt oxidise like ordinry oil.
In the newer XK8s there is also what I call the 'Jimmy Hoffa handle'. It is the off-white glow-in-the-dark handle he could have used to pop the lid had he still been alive when his enemies tossed him in the boot.
Seems like adding an 'extra' cable exiting through the first 'grommet hole' connected in parallel with the two release mechanisms and tucked up under the boot could be a useful addition. If you get stuck, just pull on that.
What a PITA! Hope that I never find myself in that position John. Thanks for another secret 😀. BTW, I see that you have your new gadget on the tripod there. I assume that the reassembly footage was shot with it. Nice work sir. You just need one of those remote, tracking drones like the one Mark uses and you’re ready to rival Hollywood.
Thanks so much for this vid. I only have the green key for my 98 Jag and disconnected the battery when removing the seat. Had no idea how I was going to get back in the trunk.
I’m going out to the trunk right now and tying a string around the it’s grommet option and run it to near the grommet so it is easily accessible when you remove the grommet so you can reach thru the grommet with a finger, pull the string thru and then pull the string to pull back the cable to unlock the trunk.
Great Video John, thanks. I’m going out right now to lubricate, not only the boot keyhole but all keyholes on the XK8 and my other cars. Have you considered the use of a very proficient locksmith to pick the lock? I have see these Jag locks picked onYou tube by The Lock Picking Lawyer. Very quickly I might add.
Hi Joseph. I have watched the lock picking Lawyer and very much enjoy his show. Also the gadget he uses to pick XK8 locks is amazing! if its just a lost key then picking is an option. But often its debris in the lock mechanism jamming a disc and then picking won't work. Another legitimate way in is to drill out the lock barrel. but there is a very hard plate between the outer bodywork and the barrel (you can see it in some of my pictures) The hole in that is just big enough for the key to pass through So by the time you have drilled a big enough hole turn the actuation arm, you will have made a big and quite expensive mess. (But I suppose you could always but a bigger badge to cover it back up😁
@@ToTheGarage Hi John, thanks for the reply. After I posted this I realized my error. It should have been obvious to me sooner that if the key wouldn’t work nether would a lock pick. I just lubricated all the locks on my vehicles and hopefully will never have to resort to the techniques you demonstrated. I’m getting ready to prepare my car for winter storage, perhaps you could do a video on what you recommend be done.
Hello John and Community! I have no idea why, but we began putting Emergency Release Handles in the “Trunks” of our cars here in America in 2001. So, while I admire all the innovative methods detailed here :::Smug Mode: On!::: I think the way I went about it is a lot less trouble. You will need: a fish stick - for pulling house wire, not the kind you eat. Set up with a hook of some kind to pull the ‘Hoffa. Handle’ a lighted boroscope - about $20 on Amazon Some electrical tape to attach it to your fish stick A Torx driver. About 30 minutes of your time. What you do is remove the three torx screws underneath the fuel filler flap, then remove the retaining ring, then the silicone gasket surrounding the fill pipe. You will have an access hole to the inside of the boot of many inches. (okay, about 4). You can then use your boroscope fishing skills to pull the handle and save the day.
Bravo mander1141 👏. top tip for everyone stateside. I will share that idea with the Gang in one of our XK8 shows if the Ok. Crediting yourself obviously. Is the internal release in the opposite corner to the filler neck? ie by the keyhole?
I have a question on My XJR because you look expert to me. There is a sign regarding Engine cool oil lack. But it is fully filled in my car.Do you know what I have to fix?
Hi✋. Thank you for your kind words. If the display tells you that the 'engine coolant level is low' and yet the level is correct. Then usually it is a fault with the float and level sensor in the coolant tank under the bonnet. a) Sometimes the float inside is just stuck. Removing the tank and flushing it out with a strong stream of water and shaking it, will resolve the situation.. b) Sometimes the electrical connector on the bottom of the tank is loose or dirty. c)Sometimes the sensor inside is completely broken and the whole tank needs replacing. Thank you very much for watching👍
Another great video👍however, where did you get hold of the top of your struts in the engine compartment? Looks to me that they have the growler om top as well? Looking very nice😁
Thanks as always John. My 99XKR only came with the valet key (exporters from Japan are notoriously casual about keys I've been told). Obviously my valet key won't work in the boot if I needed it to but I'm told there is a simple way of modifying the valet key to match a main key. Do you know of this and is it doable? I must get around to getting more keys but I haven't got my head around what is best yet, I'm inclined to do it through a dealership but scared of the cost.
Footnote: I thought I may as well check the valet key in the boot lock and it worked! Maybe someone already adapted it, looks like a wee notch has been cut in the side of the pointy end. I took your advice and put some WD40 on the key etc. Thanks again!
@@ToTheGarage I'm still not brave enough to push the valet button (I'm sure it'll get pushed by accident one day). Maybe if I did, then I'd find the valet key that I think is modified, isn't. That's an experiment for another day when I have one of your back up methods lined up. I've ordered a blank key in the meantime.
I suppose you can always preemptively go in and install a "secret" wire or cable going right from the latch and through the floor somewhere (or grommet) to the underneath that only you know about. It's not like there's gangs of thieves running around looking for secret methods to break into the trunks (boots) of random XK's for the heluvit. (Then again, it's even easier to just go in and make sure the key lock works and/or fix it!) I've seen that little red lever, I'm guessing it's just a standard door latch assy they've adapted for the trunk. That lever is just a disconnect which is what a standard door lock has used for every car in the world made since about 1850! If you ever mix up some epoxy for something and have some left over, that lever might be a good place to put it!
There's another method that some idiot used to open the boot on my parts car. A perfect boot lid was destroyed. Used what appears to be a dull can opener to cut a hole behind liscense plate. This included the structural supports inside. Really sucks because another idiot rear-ended me at a traffic light.
Hi I think I am missing opart of your message @docimma? Im not an expert on the X150, But if you are looking for the secret keyhole on an X150. remove the rear numberplate and you will see it.
So then, as a preventive p.i.t.a. BEND those metal tab areas out of the way!!! Then if the cable/solenoid ever needs to be pulled back, you can REACH it to grab it! You could even rig up a 'secret' safety release cable, just to be safe.
Quote clearly, the answer is not to lock yourself out of the boot…or design and fit a stainless steel rod, attached to the supposed inaccessible servo wire, and protruding through the grommet, so in the case of an emergency, you have the ‘secret access’ method in place to save you hours of pain… Whos gonna know it’s there…!!!…lol…
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
My boot-lock was jammed with dirt and my battery was flat. I got the boot open with a spare battery connected to the points under the hood. I removed the boot-lock and cleansed and oiled it, but it would still jam from time to time. I took the lock apart and there was a little steel pin riding in a groove in the cylinder. The groove was damaged, thus jamming the turn of the key. I removed the pin and it was all fine. The consequence is that you could open my boot with another key or even a tiny screwdriver. But I don't keep any valuables in there, so I don't mind. And with the lock well oiled I can always open my boot with the key. I wanted to share this in the case that anyone would face the same problem as I did. Gods speed to you out there!
I've just seen this after investigating why the boot key didn't work, I hadn't realised the consequences if it didn't! I took the mechanism out and apart (not difficult), saw there was some surface rust and muck on the barrels where the pin locates, stopping the pin dropping into the recesses in the unlock position, cleaned any muck out with carb cleaner, dried it, then used a silicon spray to lubricate all the moving parts whilst working it continuously. The result? A very smoothly operating boot key lock with no binding, and no worry about having to resort to some of the extreme measures in the video. A very big hearty thank you John!
You are a love! I am 83, still driving, but not often. Had a dead battery, the boot wouldn't open. I knew there was a secret place, but I didn't remember where. Your RUclips saved the day. Let's see if I can retain where the secret hole is!.
You are welcome👍
thanks for taking the time to comment
A good precaution for any lock cables is to lubricate them with silicon oil. This displaces water and allows cables to operate smoothly and doesnt oxidise like ordinry oil.
In the newer XK8s there is also what I call the 'Jimmy Hoffa handle'. It is the off-white glow-in-the-dark handle he could have used to pop the lid had he still been alive when his enemies tossed him in the boot.
Seems like adding an 'extra' cable exiting through the first 'grommet hole' connected in parallel with the two release mechanisms and tucked up under the boot could be a useful addition. If you get stuck, just pull on that.
Great video once again John. Why would they put that red lever in the lock, if once closed you cant open it? Seems a strange addition
Stupid stupid stupid!!! May the designer rot in…
Thanks John, hope I never need this but thanks for taking the trouble to make this video.
This help a whole lot spend all morning trying to open the trunk
Glad to help👍
Awesome. I had no idea about the key hole. Thanks again
Happy to help! use it regularly
Thanks John, useful stuff as always.
What a PITA! Hope that I never find myself in that position John. Thanks for another secret 😀. BTW, I see that you have your new gadget on the tripod there. I assume that the reassembly footage was shot with it. Nice work sir. You just need one of those remote, tracking drones like the one Mark uses and you’re ready to rival Hollywood.
Thanks so much for this vid. I only have the green key for my 98 Jag and disconnected the battery when removing the seat. Had no idea how I was going to get back in the trunk.
I’m going out to the trunk right now and tying a string around the it’s grommet option and run it to near the grommet so it is easily accessible when you remove the grommet so you can reach thru the grommet with a finger, pull the string thru and then pull the string to pull back the cable to unlock the trunk.
Thanks mate. All very helpful
Great Video John, thanks. I’m going out right now to lubricate, not only the boot keyhole but all keyholes on the XK8 and my other cars.
Have you considered the use of a very proficient locksmith to pick the lock? I have see these Jag locks picked onYou tube by The Lock Picking Lawyer. Very quickly I might add.
Hi Joseph. I have watched the lock picking Lawyer and very much enjoy his show. Also the gadget he uses to pick XK8 locks is amazing!
if its just a lost key then picking is an option. But often its debris in the lock mechanism jamming a disc and then picking won't work.
Another legitimate way in is to drill out the lock barrel. but there is a very hard plate between the outer bodywork and the barrel (you can see it in some of my pictures) The hole in that is just big enough for the key to pass through So by the time you have drilled a big enough hole turn the actuation arm, you will have made a big and quite expensive mess. (But I suppose you could always but a bigger badge to cover it back up😁
@@ToTheGarage Hi John, thanks for the reply. After I posted this I realized my error. It should have been obvious to me sooner that if the key wouldn’t work nether would a lock pick. I just lubricated all the locks on my vehicles and hopefully will never have to resort to the techniques you demonstrated.
I’m getting ready to prepare my car for winter storage, perhaps you could do a video on what you recommend be done.
Aaaah … Im locked out! Sniff, 17:09 sniff…
Thanks John
Now all lubricated and correct Sir. Brilliant information that hopefully we will never need. But amazing to know just in case
Hi John...thanks for the excellent tips. again a new experience.
Hello John and Community!
I have no idea why, but we began putting Emergency Release Handles in the “Trunks” of our cars here in America in 2001.
So, while I admire all the innovative methods detailed here :::Smug Mode: On!::: I think the way I went about it is a lot less trouble.
You will need:
a fish stick - for pulling house wire, not the kind you eat. Set up with a hook of some kind to pull the ‘Hoffa. Handle’
a lighted boroscope - about $20 on Amazon
Some electrical tape to attach it to your fish stick
A Torx driver.
About 30 minutes of your time.
What you do is remove the three torx screws underneath the fuel filler flap, then remove the retaining ring, then the silicone gasket surrounding the fill pipe.
You will have an access hole to the inside of the boot of many inches. (okay, about 4). You can then use your boroscope fishing skills to pull the handle and save the day.
Bravo mander1141 👏. top tip for everyone stateside. I will share that idea with the Gang in one of our XK8 shows if the Ok. Crediting yourself obviously. Is the internal release in the opposite corner to the filler neck? ie by the keyhole?
I have a question on My XJR because you look expert to me. There is a sign regarding Engine cool oil lack. But it is fully filled in my car.Do you know what I have to fix?
Hi✋. Thank you for your kind words.
If the display tells you that the 'engine coolant level is low' and yet the level is correct. Then usually it is a fault with the float and level sensor in the coolant tank under the bonnet.
a) Sometimes the float inside is just stuck. Removing the tank and flushing it out with a strong stream of water and shaking it, will resolve the situation..
b) Sometimes the electrical connector on the bottom of the tank is loose or dirty.
c)Sometimes the sensor inside is completely broken and the whole tank needs replacing.
Thank you very much for watching👍
Another great video👍however, where did you get hold of the top of your struts in the engine compartment?
Looks to me that they have the growler om top as well?
Looking very nice😁
he did a video on those...and yes, they're cool.
I was meaning to ask about those too.
@@hillbilly4895 , cannot find that video..do you have a link??
@@roberthufthammer6310 I think it was in the one where he replaced his headlights?
The video you are looking for premiered on 30 Dec 2020 Hope you find it ok, great bit of John DIY work
Thanks as always John. My 99XKR only came with the valet key (exporters from Japan are notoriously casual about keys I've been told). Obviously my valet key won't work in the boot if I needed it to but I'm told there is a simple way of modifying the valet key to match a main key. Do you know of this and is it doable? I must get around to getting more keys but I haven't got my head around what is best yet, I'm inclined to do it through a dealership but scared of the cost.
Footnote: I thought I may as well check the valet key in the boot lock and it worked! Maybe someone already adapted it, looks like a wee notch has been cut in the side of the pointy end. I took your advice and put some WD40 on the key etc. Thanks again!
Hi Bernard. Yes the only difference is the tiny pair of notches on the tip.👍
@@ToTheGarage I'm still not brave enough to push the valet button (I'm sure it'll get pushed by accident one day). Maybe if I did, then I'd find the valet key that I think is modified, isn't. That's an experiment for another day when I have one of your back up methods lined up. I've ordered a blank key in the meantime.
I suppose you can always preemptively go in and install a "secret" wire or cable going right from the latch and through the floor somewhere (or grommet) to the underneath that only you know about. It's not like there's gangs of thieves running around looking for secret methods to break into the trunks (boots) of random XK's for the heluvit. (Then again, it's even easier to just go in and make sure the key lock works and/or fix it!) I've seen that little red lever, I'm guessing it's just a standard door latch assy they've adapted for the trunk. That lever is just a disconnect which is what a standard door lock has used for every car in the world made since about 1850! If you ever mix up some epoxy for something and have some left over, that lever might be a good place to put it!
There's another method that some idiot used to open the boot on my parts car. A perfect boot lid was destroyed. Used what appears to be a dull can opener to cut a hole behind liscense plate. This included the structural supports inside. Really sucks because another idiot rear-ended me at a traffic light.
My dad needs locked his keys in the trunk but idk how to open the trunk and he has no key
How do I break into my son‘s new (2007 x150 conv.)? We did not get a new battery quick enough :(
We can open boot w key but conv. top.
Hi
I think I am missing opart of your message @docimma? Im not an expert on the X150, But if you are looking for the secret keyhole on an X150. remove the rear numberplate and you will see it.
@@ToTheGarage we found where the keyslot on the door was. Hidden compartment! Now we have to learn to remove the battery.
So then, as a preventive p.i.t.a. BEND those metal tab areas out of the way!!! Then if the cable/solenoid ever needs to be pulled back, you can REACH it to grab it! You could even rig up a 'secret' safety release cable, just to be safe.
I wish my XJR was right hand driver 🥰
I found if the red lever is down the key will still open the boot.
Righteous
That's trouble I don't want! .luckily I oil everything so shouldn't gappen
Quote clearly, the answer is not to lock yourself out of the boot…or design and fit a stainless steel rod, attached to the supposed inaccessible servo wire, and protruding through the grommet, so in the case of an emergency, you have the ‘secret access’ method in place to save you hours of pain… Whos gonna know it’s there…!!!…lol…
Just go order a key from the local Jaguar dealer.