Can anyone post a picture of the exact position to hold a dead smart key in a 2014 xf please. My keys aren't dead but I get the message "unable to find smart key". Have changed batteries, the doors unlock and lock from the fob etc. suspect faulty bcm?

 

Forgot to say, UK rhd

 

There's a panel below the panel with the foglight switch, hold touching that, and press the start button again while the "unable to find smart key" message is still on the dash.

Has the car battery been disconnected?

 

Thanks Phil,
Yes, I think I've found it. Looks like a blanking plate for the previous slot the dead key went in on the pre facelift model? Very picky about where it is though. I can get it one out of three attempts. My wife really struggles to find it at all. Trying with a fob without the battery because the sensor seems to be intermittent and it's therefore difficult to tell if it's picking up the correct position or just intermittently seeing the key.
Anyone have similar problems?

 

Yes that's correct, it's clipped to the back of the "blanking plate". I think it only works once the "smart key not found" error is on the dash so 1 out of 2 is as good as it gets.
I suggest you try a brand new duracell or energiser cr2032 in the keyfob, sourced from a reliable source ( e.g. amazon, but not resellers on amazon, or a large supermarket ) as there are a lot of fakes about.

I doubt it's the BCM, perhaps one of the low frequency antennas for keyless start.
Does you car have keyless entry? ( rubber buttons on the door handles )
If so does that still work?

 

Thanks Phil,
Much appreciated.
No it doesn't have keyless entry. Am taking it to a Jag specialist this p.m. cos I have tried new, proper,, batteries.
Regards
Chris

 

As your remotes work with the buttons, that implies the high frequency antenna in the roof lining is ok.
If you've not had the main battery disconnected/flat, then I'd suspect either one of the low frequency antennas in the center console has failed ( I suspect you get to the front one by removing the navigation unit ( where the dvd/cd's slot in in the dash), the KVM or the wires in between.
Antennas are cheap on ebay ( I think the following ones ) AH42-15K603-AA but probably not that easy to get to yourself depending on your experience level. I'm 99% sure they don't need any programming to the car though.

 

Thank you Phil,
It's gone to the garage now.
Regards
Chris