Opening boot with flat battery?

[wagon37]

I've got a VF SS wagon with a flat battery - anyone got any ideas on how to open the boot with a flat battery?

Assume there must be a mechanical mechanism somewhere to open it

Need to get in there to replace the battery!!

 

[RossK]

There is a manual release, but it's not user friendly - see attached, section 2-15 from the owners manual.

The alternative, If you have a new battery, connect it with jumper leads to the posts in the engine bay and open boot - replace battery.

 

[HarryHoudini]

Yes,jump from the engine bay posts is the easiest.

 

[Lex]

Yes,jump from the engine bay posts is the easiest.

How does he open the bonnet? He has a flat battery, so can't open the tailgate? If he can't open the tailgate, how does he open the bonnet
with a flat battery?

 

[Thedr313]

How does he open the bonnet? He has a flat battery, so can't open the tailgate? If he can't open the tailgate, how does he open the bonnet
with a flat battery?

Sure it's a cable ain't it?

 

[dassaur]

Sure it's a cable ain't it?

yes it's a cable, so battery power irrelevant

 

[Skylarking]

How does he open the bonnet?

Presumably he can use the key blade on the key fob to unlock the drivers door and then pull the bonnet cable release so he can attach a charger to the battery posts within the engine bay which should charge the dead battery (if it ain’t too dead)…

With the charger connected, he should be able to lock and unlock the vehicle using the key fob, the door handle buttons (if PKES) or the rubber hatch unlock button. He can also wait a bit and let the battery get some charge before he disconnects the charger and then he should be good to go.

But if the battery is really dead, some chargers will refuse to fire up in which case go old school charger for 10 minutes and a newer smart charger should be able to take over and complete the charge cycle. Else after gaining access to the battery, toss the old sulphate one out and replace it with a new battery… charge and your done..

 

[Lex]

yes it's a cable, so battery power irrelevant

Where is the latch for the cable?
Edit. Skylarking posted, answering the question.

On the older cars the key doesn't usually work anymore. The barrel gets clogged up with crap?

 

[dassaur]

Where is the latch for the cable?

Driver's side above accelerator below knee height. I have seen the cable when I was running some wiring from my mufflers up through the driver's side. I haven't closely inspected how its latched.

 

[Skylarking]

Where is the latch for the cable?
Edit. Skylarking posted, answering the question.

On the older cars the key doesn't usually work anymore. The barrel gets clogged up with crap?

The bonnet (or hood) cable release lever is located on the drivers side kick panel near the door seal.

The boot (or trunk) cable release lever only exists in a sedan and is behind the seat opening (somewhere). In a wagon, you need to climb into the cargo space and take off a rubber grommet and insert a medium flat blade screw driver and turn counter clockwise to open the hatch…

PS: If the door key is clogged with crap, jack the car up and put on axle stands before sliding under and attaching a charger to the starter motor power lead (which goes directly to the battery) and an earth. PITA but QED..