Drained battery, cannot get to the battery to charge it

Tiny
SHELLY WHEELER
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 JAGUAR VANDEN PLAS
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
The battery is dead, the key does not work to open the trunk or the door and the hood is stuck. Is there any hope other than drilling the lock out to charge the battery?
Monday, July 16th, 2018 AT 2:40 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,573 POSTS
Well there is a way, you need to remove the rear license plate, then use a coat hanger to reach in through the holes in the lid and release the latch. It is a bit of a pain but it can be done.
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Tuesday, July 17th, 2018 AT 2:32 AM
Tiny
SHELLY WHEELER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I know that on other models there are four holes underneath the license plate. On this model there is only one very small hole. I will try it with a coat hanger. Fingers crossed! Thanks for the help!
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Tuesday, July 17th, 2018 AT 6:24 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,573 POSTS
Another item would be to access the starter battery terminal with a set of jumper cables and apply battery power to make the system work.
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Tuesday, July 17th, 2018 AT 10:47 AM

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