The boot of my donor xj40 is stuck The key goes in and turns but i cant get it open. Anyone know how to break in?

Crowbar/Angle Grinder?

angle grinder?


beat me to it...........

[Edited on 3/3/07 by dilley]

Can you remove the rear seat backrest and get access to the boot to release it that way?

Otherwise - drill out the lock?

Can you unscrew / fold down rear seat and crawl in that way ? Then it's just a case of fiddling with the release mechanism.

Edited .... Or do it Humbug's way

[Edited on 3/3/07 by Macbeast]

The rear seats aren't the fold down type and i dont think you can access the boot from behind them.
This will sound really stupid but is drilling the lock exactly what how sounds, puting a drill in where the key goes and switching the on button?

I don't think drilling the lock is the answer, especially if the key goes in and turns!
It sounds more like an internal link has droped out or you have slammed something in the lock mechanism.
Try getting someone to try and lift the lid while you turn the key, in case it is just a jammed catch.

Tried that

have you tried pushing down on the lid while you turn the key. might releive some of the pressure of the locking mechanism.

Has the boot got central locking? My Beemer did this to me and it turned out to be the battery - the damn thing didn't supply enough power to fully disengade the electrical lock. I fitted a new battery .... presto!

Drilling out the lock is easy (just aim for the top of the lock where the jaggedy teeth on the key are).... trouble is, it sounds like it won't work!!!! It just allows you to turn the tumbler and that's already happening....
I'd crowbar the boot off- unless you plan on flogging the boot... In which case you'll have to gain access some other way!!

Donor??
What do you need the trunklid for?
Grinder it is...

Yup, grinder everytime.

Stress reliever!

Mike

Very gently open a small space between the top back corner of the door and the roof. You can safely create an opening of about 4 to 5 centimeter before you put too much tension on the glass. Use a rubber hose or something to keep the space. You can then use some stiff wire to hook around the dooropener inside.

Done it a lot and never fails to work. If you push out the door too much you simply bend it back once it is open. Never needed to do that though.

quote:

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Originally posted by miegru
Very gently open a small space between the top back corner of the door and the roof. You can safely create an opening of about 4 to 5 centimeter before you put too much tension on the glass. Use a rubber hose or something to keep the space. You can then use some stiff wire to hook around the dooropener inside.

Done it a lot and never fails to work. If you push out the door too much you simply bend it back once it is open. Never needed to do that though.

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Hang on it's a british built car isn't it?

Can't you just use a spoon?

You must be able to get the back seats out somehow. Thats your easiest option.

If the lock turns round and round drilling it wont do any goo, Its probably the lever come off the back.

Is this a road jobbie or a donor??

if you're planning on selling the bootlid so don't want to cut it, how about taking off the rear seat and cutting a new 'access hatch' in the bulkhead with Mr A. Grinder?