Jump Starting a 2002 Ford Thunderbird

[Flinx1]

I have to jump start my 2002 Ford Thunderbird.

I know the battery cables are in the trunk, but the battery is dead and there isn't a trunk release to pop the trunk. The keyless entry isn't working as the battery is dead.

How do I get into the trunk or is there another way to jump start the car without having to access the trunk.

[cbird]

No problem. Ford foresaw this problem and made it possible to open the trunk when the battery is dead (or disconnected, like mine often is when I know I won't be driving it for a few weeks). Just tilt the driver's seat forward. On the wall behind the seat there is a keyed trunk release - just put the ignition key in and turn it and the rear trunk will open. I mainly use this feature when I have disconnected the battery to prevent it from going dead if I won't be starting the car for a few weeks.

[George]

Actually, everyone should try this feature before their battery goes dead. Some have been reported as not working.

[Redbird42549]

What do you do if the key entry for the trunk will not open it? I have a 2003 and I have opened the trunk this way before but now it will not work.

[George]

Push the chrome button on the lower part of the drivers side door.

[Redbird42549]

Thanks George, but the battery is dead.

[George]

I do think there's a device that you can plug into a cigarette lighter socket that will accept a temporary charge into the battery, that way. If so that should give enough juice to open the trunk....possibly your dealer may have something like that

EDIT: Found on web using search for you:

vat19 dot com has one for $25. It's an : Easy Quick Jumper
Jumpstart your car in 5-10 minutes without opening the hood.

There's another that goes from car to car: Emergency Car Charger - Connect Two Vehicles Via Cigarette Lighter Socket to Quickly & Easily Recharge 12V Battery!

So, any dealer, AAA or good mechanic should be able to help you

[Redbird42549]

I knew that I had heard of a charger like that but when I went to my local auto parts store, Bumper to Bumper, the guy said that wouldn't work because the fuse for the cigarette lighter was too light to allow the voltage or wattage for a charger. He looked at me like "Oh your just a dumb woman". I get that look pretty often now that I have frosted my hair. I did manage to get my trunk open because I realized that the reason it wouldn't open before was that the temperature was over 100 degrees and the metal parts in the trunk lock were expanded because of the excessive heat. We had a few pop up showers yesterday and the temperature dropped to 75 so when I turned the key in the cylinder lock behind the seat it popped right open. Thanks for all your help.
Redbird btw vat19 is an awesome website. thanks for the suggestion