I have a Audi A8 1997 model. My problem is that the lock mechanism for the trunk/boot has developed a fault and I can now not open it with the keys. The reason it is an emergency is that the battery is located in the trunk/boot on the right side and it has gone completely flat in the recent cold weather. I need to gain access to the trunk to replace the battery before the end of April because my road fund licence needs to be renewed for May, however this is not possible without a valid road worthy certificate. If I cannot find a solution quickly, the authorities will tow the car to a pound and rack up expensive storage charges and release fees. Is there a way to gain access to the trunk without having to distroy the lock or the inner light lens, paying for a lock smith to break in at great expense?

Can I jump-start the car to get it to a garage, how do I do this without getting access to the battery?

Text me with any suggestions on 07966468114 or reply to this message in the forum please. I really hope someone one here can help me out with some solutions.

 

Quattrofan, check here. https://www.audiforums.com/m_712506/tm.htm

 

And here https://www.audiforums.com/m_862737/tm.htm

 

Remove the back seat and try to release the trunk from the inside or run your jumper cables to the battery through there.

 

Yeah, you may find that there's a release cable inside the trunk behind the trunk wall liner (I'm not sure, but a lot of cars have this to avoid someone getting stuck in the trunk). If you have a Haynes or Bentley manual for the car, the information should be in there. Then you could fold the rear seats, climb through, locate and pull the release, and pop your trunk.

 

Alternately, if you have an ECU fuse, you may be able to pull that, wait an hour or so for the ECU's internal power caps to discharge (effectively putting the ECU into learn mode and resetting it), and you may find that will allow you to pop the trunk normally. I'm guessing out of my a** here, but it can't hurt to try it.