How do you open the trunk when the battery is dead?
Is there a manual function (hidden cable)
I tried pulling the lever under the dash - nothing happened
Of course the key is not functioning either

 

Using the metal fob in your remote, you can pop the trunk open manually.

If it's still not opening, check the safe lock next to the fuel release. Use the same metal fob to pop the button out if it was stuck into safe lock mode.

 

there is no lock on the trunklid or below

 

Believe there is a key opening on the trunk "handle" underneath. It's centered to the Lexus emblem.

 

key opening is to the very left side of the L emblem. you cant miss it

 

^yes.


It is vertically looking down on the pavement or the license plate. It is not placed horizontally.

Just move your higher like you're looking for the trunk button, which is on the right, to the far left you'll find the slot to put in your key.

 

I don't know what cars you guys have
there is no slot, no keylock on the outside of the car at the trunk
Under the trunklid there are two licenseplate lights and to the rightside a flat rubberlike surface.
And that's it - nothing else
Maybe they bonded it over

 

and to the left side a flat key slot.

It's there.

 

no there is no slot or anything, uuuurgghh

 

found the slot, itis located on the left side of the left license plate light. No wonder I could not find it before. the slot was covered with some sort of black sealer flush with the paint; it looked like a sensor button on the bumpers.
Now I cannot turn the key. It seemed to be stuck (corroded?). Tried it to the point where I thought I might damage the key
The car is 14 years old and the key might never have been activated in its lifetime

 

I can suggest that you jump the car, open the trunk and save yourself all the hassle of breaking your key

If you have one of those portable chargers, I'm going out to buy one today. It is such a life saver.


Had a towing company just jump my other Lexus ES300, was the most expensive I ever paid for a jump. $50 will go down hard

 

I actually have no real problem with it
car is parked in the carport with the battery disconnected.
Just had to get into the trunk and did not want to reconnect the wires (going into the toolshed and get the socketwrench out)
It would have been easier taking the key and opening the trunk
I will address this keylock some other time
Battery charger seems a good idea, seeing that the battery does not hold the juice very long when parked