Hello All,

I have decided to write up a very comprehensive article about unlocking all the secrets to the 2001 to 2009 Jaguar Key Fob, how it is made, how to get a key blank and key blank made, how to program the transponder to the car's ignition as well as how to program the key fob remote button portion to your car, all without the need for a Jaguar Dealer in most cases!
This is a very informative article so enjoy and benefit!!!

Happy New Year!

LCMJAGUAR
2008 XJ8 VDP
1988 XJ6

 

Now that looks like a very well put together and useful article, thank very much for sharing lcmjaguar.

This will be made FAQ and added to the How to Section and made available for all.

Thanks again

 

Having read the document when it first appeared, unless I missed something, it contains information that is not entirely accurate.

The document says:

However, the document deals exclusively with the flip key type of fob which uses a 6 cut Tibbe blank.

Note that the original remote fob for the X308, ie. model years 1998 to 2003 (US), use a standalone fob, and there was a chip changeover in 2001 or so. Furthermore, the key is a 8 cut Tibble blank which is longer.

While lots of X308 owners would like to have a flip type remote+key, it may well not be possible.

 

The article is directly addressing the 2004 to 2009 model years of the X350 but also may relate to the 2001 to 2003 model years.

For 2001 to 2003 model year cars, there have been articles that the button remote portion of the flip style remote can be programed and used to replace the old style four button remote but that would have to be confirmed by someone who has actually wanted to do this and has done this for their 2001 to 2003 model years.

Also the key blank in the article refers to the 6 cut blank and not the older style 8 cut blank, one would have to determine if a 8 cut blank end will fit into a flip style remote for these 2001 to 2003 model year cars.

If someone can confirm these two points for the 2001 to 2003 model year cars, than this information will help give alternatives to the 2001 to 2003 model year owners.

Otherwise to keep the article straight forward we can change the title to be for 2004 through 2009 XJ model years when posted into the FAQ section of the Forum.

Regards,
LCMJAGUAR

 

i have just bought an s type 4.2ltr 2004 model but there is no key fob how can i program a fob to work and how easy is it to replace please?

 

Welcome to the forum, don't forget that intro in the new members section!

Short answer to your question is that you can't programme it yourself you will need specialist help. You will find extensive info in the S Type section.

 

Cheapest and easiest way is to use a compatible ford fob. I'm currently using the fob from my 2001 ford escape in my 04 XJR. Programming was simple but can't remember exactly the steps from memory. There are a few threads for it though. You can do a search. The escape fob locks and unlocks, the panic button turns on the headlights and if pushed multiple times will turn in the panic alarm. Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for putting together and posting the article. I hope to try it out soon while I have both fobs working.

 

LCMJAGUAR,

Many thanks for taking the time to research, write and illustrate this invaluable resource. I know first-hand how much time a project like this can take, so on behalf of all of us who will benefit from your work, THANK YOU!

I have saved your article to my X350 folder and will read it with great interest!

Cheers,

Don

 

One of the FOB's on my 2005 quit working in 2007. There is a recall for it...something about the foam cushion shorting the electronics. I called Jag USA and they said the recall had ended. When I told them that I was never notified, they just said "to bad". I even got the "did you purchase the car new" line from the lady. Nice. I tried batteries, removing the foam, and everything else I could think of, but no luck. I gave up on that FOB and gave the good one to the wife.

Fast forward to January 2013. The bad FOB started working, all on it's own. WTF?!? I mean, I'm not complaining, but this has to be the only electronic device I have ever had that fixed itself...

 

Here is the actual Jaguar Service Technical Bulletin surrounding static issues with certain remotes that was properly later fixed in a design change. Affected key fobs needed to have an anti-static pad inserted into the remote to supposidly fix the static issue the would cause the remote not to work on a consistant basis.

 

Don,

Welcome to this forum. Your articles written related to your 1988 XJ and 1993 XJ have been quite impressive on the Jag Lovers Forum. We all look forward to your expertise and detailed articles of "How To" regarding your 2004 XJ. The article on the air compressor is very informative, illustrative and helpful!

 

I suppose this antistatic foam is a material that can be bought elsewhere? I imagine it is used in other electronic applications, though I don't recall seeing it on computer parts.

 

I can't say...I just removed the bad foam and did to replace it.

 

This is a great write up and clearly needed information. What I am struggling with is why no one has come up with a way to delete the ignition disable function either with wiring or Body control module programming? The idea that you need a fully functioning electronic device in your key fob in order to start the car when you already have a physical key is nice if theft prevention is the main priority. For me personally, being able to start my own car no matter what is the main priority. I had a scare yesterday on the third day I've owned my car because I somehow left the running lights on (didn't hear a beep or alarm reminding me to turn them off) and killed my battery. When I tried to unlock the doors remotely and couldn't, my first thought was to the key fob which I had dropped once. I then just got in and tried to start the car and of course nothing.. Knowing the key fob has to be working, I went to my office (1/4 mile away) and took apart the fob, cleaned the contacts and checked the voltage on the battery then went back to the car. Still nothing. That's when I realized the car battery was the actual culprit. A jump start fixed it but my long winded point is, if the key fob had failed or even the battery in it died, I would have been stranded standing there with a perfectly good legitimate key for my ignition in my hand!


Hopefully some smart programmer out there will figure out how to disable the ignition disable "feature" and those of us who are more concerned with driving our cars than someone else driving them without our permission can go about our lives without major inconvenience..

 

Are you sure? The key should work without the fob.

 

According to the word document there is a transmitter inside fob with a little antenna that MUST be functional and in proximity of the switch for the ignition to work..That's my understanding of the system.

 

That's not correct, there are two parts to the fob assembly, the part with the key and transponder in and the fob section with the push buttons on.
The key will still start the car without the fob/button part as long as the transponder which is bonded into the key holder part is present.

 

The transponder portion still has to be present and working right? What if it is NOT working?? Dead battery, dropped and broken inside or any other reason will the car still start? I think not.

 

Transponders are generally 'passive' devices - they don't need electricity. They typically work at a range of about 1-15 cm (0.4 to ~6in). The transmitter for the buttons on the remote are what need battery power.

• Simplified: Once the key is inserted into the ignition lock and turned the ‘on’ or ‘run’ positions, the induction coil mounted around the ignition lock sends out an electromagnet field of energy. The windings in the transponder chip absorb that energy, power the electronic chip to emit a signal (usually an alphanumeric code). The induction coil reads the signal and sends it to ECU to recognize the signal. If the signal is recognized, the signal is accepted and car starts