Hi everyone.
Here is my last try before giving up with my beloved XJ8.

Here are the symptoms:

• The key turns in the lock but at the last step I get the indication "column locked" and the starter does not turn
• I've reseted the system but it didn't change anything
• The car recognises the key
• But the column and the engine computer do not unlock
• No physical problem of damaged cable at the wires between the lock and the other parts
• The 12V battery of the car is new

Here in the south of France there are no much specialist of Jaguar, especially for the electrical part. An "expert" has tried to solve the issue without any success. Now he suggests to change the keys + Neiman (not sur if that word exists in EN) + Column locker + Engine computer + Front comfort computer + Rear comfort computer. Which are parts not easy to find on 2nd hand market. Some people tell me I should scrap the car as she's 190000kms old. Hard to hear.

Thanks for your feedback, any idea is welcome

 

better to ask on the uk forum or facebook this is a rest of world feature.

jaguar trusted americans to not steal cars

 

Do reach out to G&G in The Netherlands. If transportation of the car is affordable it might be the best and nearby solution.

 

I am guessing it is a problem due to physical wear in the lock.

 

The remote control in the key only deactivates the alarm system, indicated with the light knob on the dash. Independent from the alarm it is necessary that the key code is recognized. There is a transceiver module on the ignition lock, which must recognize the code of the transponder (small glass tube) in the key so that the steering wheel lock will unlock and the ECU will be activated.

If the transponder recognition doesn't work, you need the original OBD equipment and SDD. This can be used to detect errors in the transceiver recognition process or if the process is o.k. to reprogram key codes.

There is probably nothing left but to bring the vehicle to an official JLR dealer. The solution suggested by your “expert“ will probably not solve the problem. For reprogramming are at least two keys necessary.

Fritz

 

Thanks to all for your prompt feedbacks, I feel less alone with these issues now !

@xalty I guess the problem can also happen on an american car, but you're right, as they dont have a locker the car would not start but it would indicate an other message on the dashboard. If you know any good british forum I'll post also my question on it. Jaguarforums.com seems to be the richest one.

@DutchSuper350 it is gegshop.nl right? A bit far from where I am (near Saint Tropez in the south of France)

@meirion1 so you'll suggest to purchase a new locker? or try to fix the current one?

@flatsix the garage where is currenlt my XJ says the transponder is correctly recognized. I called 2 different JLR dealers (in Marseille and Toulon) both said they were unable to do anything with my car as they don't have anymore the software for a 20 old Jaguar. I find that creazy BTW. You believe changing the keys + key lock + Column locker + Engine computer will not necessarily solve my problem ?

By browsing the forum I found here someone with the same symptoms solving the issue by depressing the inertia switch. I remember having checked this soon after my issue occured and the switch was at normal position. But do you believe the switch could be faulty or unproperly connected?

 

no local knowledge means tough luck 🤷‍♂️ try the x350 facebook group like i said

buy IDS learn to diag the car yourself or give up and send it to the crusher. all the service info and training manuals are on here

 

I had the identical problem.
The steering wheel lock mother board needs cleaning and refurbishing.
There is a break in the circuit preventing the switch inside the lock from moving.

Its not a big job but you need an electronic car technician.

The only other option is to go to a dealership of jaguar and replace steering wheel lock and have it programmef to read your key. This could be expensive procedure.


The little switch on the left hand top corner has to recieve current to move to make connection and release the lock to start ignition.

The mother board needs cleaning and checking that pathways are clean. The big square is the brain

 

I think that you are dealing with more problems than you already have with motley bought controllers. Your problem can have many causes and a thorough diagnosis should be made first. The instrument for this is called SDD and is available from JLR dealers.

The argument 20 year old Jag is bullshit, first SDD is SW with development history and secondly it is backwards compatible. They just don't want to deal with it.

As beautiful as life on the Côte d’Azur is, with a Jaguar XJ there are obviously disadvantages.

Fritz

 

The problem has nothing to do with key or trandponder.
It is a motherboard problem inside steering wheel lock passing current to the switch inside the lock.
This fix cost me 200 dollars at indy who undetstands these cars.
Do not sell a car for such a minor but irritable problem.
Good luck

 

Hi provencal
I don't want to comment any further since I don't know enough but I can
recommend someone who may be able to help.
His name is Chris and he is an ex Jag mech with his own business
in Doncaster UK.
He is highly regarded in the Uk

https://armthorpe.cylex-uk.co.uk/com...-19357392.html

 

The “Motherboard“ he's talking about is a controller called STEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULE, one of the possible causes.

Fritz
l

 

@stg424 this STEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULEexplaination seems really interesting. I'm going to check this then let ou know. Thanks for having taken the time to share.

@meirion1 I'll contact "The Jag Specialist" in case I don't succeed; Thanks for the

@flatsix interesting that technically JLR could have managed it

 

@stg424 this STEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULE explaination seems really interesting. Following discussion with the guy currently working on the car, I'm going to find a complete STEERING COLUMN LOCKER then he'll try to reprogram it to be unlocked with my key. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for having taken the time to share.

@meirion1 I'll contact "The Jag Specialist" in case I don't succeed

@flatsix interesting that technically JLR could have managed it

 

@stg424 this STEERING COLUMN LOCK MODULE explaination seems really interesting. I've find an used one from a 2006 S-Type, the garage who has my car will reprogram it and I'll let you know.

@meirion1 I'll contact "The Jag Specialist" in case I don't succeed

@flatsix interesting that technically JLR could have managed it

Thanks !

 

QUOTE
@DutchSuper350 it is gegshop.nl right? A bit far from where I am (near Saint Tropez in the south of France)
UNQUOTE

it is https://gg-autoservice.nl

 

Many years ago visited St. Tropez and traffic was stationary going in and going out.

The driver in the queue in front of me left his vehicle and went shopping. lol

A nice little place ruined by money and celebrity IMO.

 

I'm now back with some news : it took me a couple of weeks to find a used column locker from a 2003 S-type. 100% compatible. The garage tried to reprogram the locker for it to be identified as belonging to this particular car. But for a reason which wasn't given to me it still doesn't work.
The guy suggests that I find an other locker coming from a 4.2 XJ8, able to provide me with motor caculator, key system, back electronic box etc

I'm hesitating between :
- taking back the car and try to solve the issue by myself. I would have to invest in some equipment and some time. Any idea how much is welcome
- taking time to find what he asks me, probably in UK on a car which had an accident
- contact LR french or european support to ask for some help, as local JLR garages don't want to take my car

What do you think?

 

You need to understand that with these vehicles you can't just change safety related controllers, they have to be integrated in the network with genuine OBD equipment.
I have original OBD equipment and have refrained from programming a new key, because during the process all existing key codes are first deleted. If something goes wrong during the subsequent recoding, there is no longer a matching key. Two of the dealers visited abandoned the attempt, the third finally coded the new key.
I don't recommend the first two options, you will fail. The car has to be diagnosed with need with SDD first, find someone who is able to.

By the way, what exactly makes your expert sure that the transponder code is recognised correctly?

Fritz

 

reprogram the cluster in IDS to permanently disable ESL then unplug the POS. that’s if it’s an esl issue and not a bad key code or transceiver

keys are the easiest thing in the world to do…any 4d60 blank programs in 1 minute.