I have done something stupid......
Discussion
Hi I'm new to the Forum and new to Bentley Turbo R ownership (bought my 61000 mile masons black 1997 Turbo RL in September.)
As I only use the Turbo R every other weekend, I thought it would be a good idea to disconnect the battery:-before disconnecting the battery, I used the central locking to ensure all doors and boot were open-then disconnected battery and closed the boot -having done this before several times I didn't anticipate any problems, however yesterday when I tried to open the boot to reconnect the battery the boot wouldn't open-for some reason on closing the boot it seems to have locked itself-initially I was not concerned, however on trying to unlock the boot using the key-the key simply turned loosely in the lock and would not unlock.
I then tried jiggling the bootlid and jiggling the key and still no joy.I am now in a state of near panic because I cannot think of anyway that I am going to be able to get at the battery to reconnect it and then be able to start the car-its MOT is due on Friday and I've already had to cancel that.
Has anyone any ideas-so far the only option I can think is horrendous and involves using an electric saw to saw out the bottom of the plastic battery box and then allowing the battery to drop out from under the car and then being able to access the battery leads and extend them to the battery and get the central locking to unlock the boot-naturally this is not an attractive option as it involves disfiguring the otherwise immaculate underside of the car-also I also worry that it might turn out that the reason for not being able to open the boot is because the boot opening handle mechanism is actually broken(although it still feels like it is working ) rather than it simply being that the boot has somehow accidentally locked itself when I previously closed it, and that the disfigurement will then be to no avail
Your ideas on trying to solve this problem would be much appreciated.
William aka Misterdog
As I only use the Turbo R every other weekend, I thought it would be a good idea to disconnect the battery:-before disconnecting the battery, I used the central locking to ensure all doors and boot were open-then disconnected battery and closed the boot -having done this before several times I didn't anticipate any problems, however yesterday when I tried to open the boot to reconnect the battery the boot wouldn't open-for some reason on closing the boot it seems to have locked itself-initially I was not concerned, however on trying to unlock the boot using the key-the key simply turned loosely in the lock and would not unlock.
I then tried jiggling the bootlid and jiggling the key and still no joy.I am now in a state of near panic because I cannot think of anyway that I am going to be able to get at the battery to reconnect it and then be able to start the car-its MOT is due on Friday and I've already had to cancel that.
Has anyone any ideas-so far the only option I can think is horrendous and involves using an electric saw to saw out the bottom of the plastic battery box and then allowing the battery to drop out from under the car and then being able to access the battery leads and extend them to the battery and get the central locking to unlock the boot-naturally this is not an attractive option as it involves disfiguring the otherwise immaculate underside of the car-also I also worry that it might turn out that the reason for not being able to open the boot is because the boot opening handle mechanism is actually broken(although it still feels like it is working ) rather than it simply being that the boot has somehow accidentally locked itself when I previously closed it, and that the disfigurement will then be to no avail
Your ideas on trying to solve this problem would be much appreciated.
William aka Misterdog
Oh dear, that is a problem! I have been racking my brains as I had a Turbo R many years ago but cannot think how you could get in there without professional help. You say the key is just turning all the way around and doing nothing? So the lock is broken then anyway? Are you sure it is the right key. Do you have one which operates all locks and one which does all EXCEPT the boot (the chauffeur's or valet's key)?
That's all I could think of. Good luck and let us know if you solve it.
In future, rather than fiddling around, couldn't you just put it on a conditioner so it is always ready to go? Or, if you prefer disconnecting completely then fit an isolator switch you can just throw.
That's all I could think of. Good luck and let us know if you solve it.
In future, rather than fiddling around, couldn't you just put it on a conditioner so it is always ready to go? Or, if you prefer disconnecting completely then fit an isolator switch you can just throw.
I stumbled in here by accident...
I have a current Jaguar XJ, which has a power-operated bootlid that cannot be opened without the car having power in it. Which is great when the battery - which is in the boot - is flat. Jaguar's solution is to provide contact points under the bonnet, to which you can attach jump leads. Wait until the electrical system in your car is receiving current from the donor, then try to open the boot again.
Perhaps other owners may be able to suggest suitable under-bonnet contact points for you to attach the leads to?
I have a current Jaguar XJ, which has a power-operated bootlid that cannot be opened without the car having power in it. Which is great when the battery - which is in the boot - is flat. Jaguar's solution is to provide contact points under the bonnet, to which you can attach jump leads. Wait until the electrical system in your car is receiving current from the donor, then try to open the boot again.
Perhaps other owners may be able to suggest suitable under-bonnet contact points for you to attach the leads to?
It should still open with the key if the battery is dead. There is a metal rod from the key/solenoid to a white plastic cam and another metal rod down to the hook/latch point. The rod has probably come off the cam. This happened to my car years ago, I remember fixing it but I can't recall how I got into it to fix it. It will come to me soon!
If the car is open get a slave battery fully charged and connect the - ( Negative ) to the surround of the fuse box or to a metal part of the engine the + (positive ) put in to the CDL fuse ensue the glove box BOOT switch is set to AUTO then press the unlock button on the door panel which should release the boot.
If the car is locked connect the + (positive ) to the main power + terminal of the starter motor and try the Unlock switch
If the car is locked connect the + (positive ) to the main power + terminal of the starter motor and try the Unlock switch
I don't think the issue is anything to do with a flat battery, as the mechanical side with the key will still work. All the door locks and the boot lock will still lock/unlock mechanically with no battery at all, let alone a flat one.
A rod has come off a cam in the boot mechanism IMO.
A rod has come off a cam in the boot mechanism IMO.
SilverWraith said:
Oh dear, that is a problem! I have been racking my brains as I had a Turbo R many years ago but cannot think how you could get in there without professional help. You say the key is just turning all the way around and doing nothing? So the lock is broken then anyway? Are you sure it is the right key. Do you have one which operates all locks and one which does all EXCEPT the boot (the chauffeur's or valet's key)?
That's all I could think of. Good luck and let us know if you solve it.
In future, rather than fiddling around, couldn't you just put it on a conditioner so it is always ready to go? Or, if you prefer disconnecting completely then fit an isolator switch you can just throw.
Thanks-it might in fact be that I have only been provided with the valet key-I will investigate further and let you know the outcome.That's all I could think of. Good luck and let us know if you solve it.
In future, rather than fiddling around, couldn't you just put it on a conditioner so it is always ready to go? Or, if you prefer disconnecting completely then fit an isolator switch you can just throw.
GilesGuthrie said:
I stumbled in here by accident...
I have a current Jaguar XJ, which has a power-operated bootlid that cannot be opened without the car having power in it. Which is great when the battery - which is in the boot - is flat. Jaguar's solution is to provide contact points under the bonnet, to which you can attach jump leads. Wait until the electrical system in your car is receiving current from the donor, then try to open the boot again.
Perhaps other owners may be able to suggest suitable under-bonnet contact points for you to attach the leads to?
Thanks for your advices-some of the answers from other Forum Members have provided solutions along the lines that you suggest-will tackle it in about a weeks time and let you know the outcomeI have a current Jaguar XJ, which has a power-operated bootlid that cannot be opened without the car having power in it. Which is great when the battery - which is in the boot - is flat. Jaguar's solution is to provide contact points under the bonnet, to which you can attach jump leads. Wait until the electrical system in your car is receiving current from the donor, then try to open the boot again.
Perhaps other owners may be able to suggest suitable under-bonnet contact points for you to attach the leads to?
Balmoral said:
It should still open with the key if the battery is dead. There is a metal rod from the key/solenoid to a white plastic cam and another metal rod down to the hook/latch point. The rod has probably come off the cam. This happened to my car years ago, I remember fixing it but I can't recall how I got into it to fix it. It will come to me soon!
Thanks for your advices-It may well be that the scenario you have outlined has occurred-I am going to investigate further next weekend and will let you know the outcomeF355spider said:
Not sure if this is a vacuum locking system, but have you tried opening the lock to allow air in and then cutting a tennis ball in half? Place the ball over the lock making a vacuum against the body and then give the ball a quick jab forcing air through the lock.
Thanks-will try to confirm whether it is a vacuum locking system and if it is will try out your novel suggestion-will tackle it next weekend and let you know the outcome.MULLINER said:
If the car is open get a slave battery fully charged and connect the - ( Negative ) to the surround of the fuse box or to a metal part of the engine the + (positive ) put in to the CDL fuse ensue the glove box BOOT switch is set to AUTO then press the unlock button on the door panel which should release the boot.
If the car is locked connect the + (positive ) to the main power + terminal of the starter motor and try the Unlock switch
If the car is locked connect the + (positive ) to the main power + terminal of the starter motor and try the Unlock switch
MULLINER said:
If the car is open get a slave battery fully charged and connect the - ( Negative ) to the surround of the fuse box or to a metal part of the engine the + (positive ) put in to the CDL fuse ensue the glove box BOOT switch is set to AUTO then press the unlock button on the door panel which should release the boot.
If the car is locked connect the + (positive ) to the main power + terminal of the starter motor and try the Unlock switch
Many thanks-do I take out the CDL fuse and attach positive to the fuse 'retainer' or actually attach to the fuse in situ ?(just to add to the problem despite the interior being open can't open the glovebox-will tackle this next weekend and let you know the outcome.If the car is locked connect the + (positive ) to the main power + terminal of the starter motor and try the Unlock switch
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