Have (what appears to be) a stupid problem! I started the car no problem, had it running for ages, then switched off and locked it overnight. Today, it won't crank over>
I get ignition lights etc, but as soon as try to crank it they all go out. There is a few strange things... even with the key in the ignition, no matter what position, there is a message saying "Steering Locked". Also, as I try to crank, the red "Lock Warning' light is flashing.
Not sure if this is a relay, fuse problem. Anybody have any ideas please?
Paul

 

Flat/dying/dead battery?

 

+1
@euphonium01 have you tried to jumpstart it? Simpliest first step!

 

Hi, thanks for your replies. First my car, it's the X350 that's mentioned in my signature, not the X308.. really sorry I should have said.
Yes, I did try jumpstarting, made no difference, the battery is fully charged as it started earlier in the day no problem. I have a suspicion it's something to do with the steering wheel lock, normally when putting the key in, the lock comes off. But now, even with the ignition turned on, the steering wheel is locked. I'm franticall searching the Electrical guide, but not sorted it yet.
Paul

 

Do you have 2 keys? If so try the other key because it sounds to me like the car is not registering the key as a legit key. I have a key that doesn't work and i picked it up by mistake last week and it did the same as yours, confused the hell out of me for a minute. The other option is the reader that is near the ignition barrel has failed and its not reading the key/keys. I think you can take the reader off an ignition lock from ebay and fit it on your lock. Are you on the UK jag forum?

 

Hi JoeDredd, thanks for your reply, hoping it's not too much of an issue that I only have one key
I'm thinking you may be right, at least partially! I have a decent diagnostic tool that pulled a B1600 error.. problem with the 'Transponder no response with the key', and the PATS light on top of the dash does start flashing quite fast when I try to crank the engine. Just as a test today I hot-wired across the Starter Relay pins 30 & 87, the engine cranked no problem, but obviously no start. So, it seems the issue is getting the signal to the relay to kick in from ignition, whilst removing the steering lock. I'm not great with electronics in modern cars, give me a set of 'points and plugs' any day!
All other key functions seem to work fine such as, Ignition lights come on, key fob opertaes the door locks and opens the boot / trunk etc.
My diagnostic tool does do Key Programming, though I'm not too certain that is 'the fix' so to speak? The message on the dash is constantly showing "Steering Wheel Locked", and even when I have the ignition on with the radio functioning, the lights work... everything... the steering is still locked.
I also seem to remember that the Steering Wheel Lock disengages automatically when the key is inserted into the ignition... that's not happening now!
The question is, how do I fix the key being recognised by the Transpoder? Any suggestions anyone? And, just in case, is there a way of programmiong keys pulling the lighting stalk and pressing buttons like with the X308?
Paul

 

Hi again to all, but especially JoeDredd! By the words of the immortal Sherlock Holmes... remove what cannot be, and what remains must be the truth!!!
My son told me that he needed his car off the drive, and was a tad worried he might catch the Jaguar. Knowing that such a mistake would be his last, he decided to push the Jag a few yards out of the way. He PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION to remove the steering lock, and pushed the car. However, he decided to reverse it back, and (in his words) when starting the car the key "just fell to bits in my hand". He put the key back together and said nothing as he thought 'no harm done'...

So, following some rather loud Anglo Saxon expletives, I took the plunge and popped open the key, and sure enough, the Transducer was not present inside the key, the bit that looks like a torpedo is the bit missing.. JoeDredd.. you were spot on with your analysis..



This is where it goes...



I have ordered a new Key shell plus the Transducer and circuit board, got it from that place that has the same name as the famous River and Tropical Rainforest!.. £15.99

When it arrives, I am confident I can fix it all together, but I have a nagging feeling it will need to be programmed to the car. I only have the one key, and my trusty diagnostic device to do it. Unless, someone knows a more manual way of programming a key?

Gone into quite a bit of detail with what I've found, I'm hoping that it may help someone else one day!
Paul

 

@euphonium01
Probably a dumb question, but, do you think you could find the original transponder at the site of the unscheduled disassembly? My experience with the Jungle website is that shells do not have the transponder even when they say they do. I got one and the locksmith could not program it to my 04 XJR. Jag wanted ~$800 for key and programming. Nope. Best of luck.

 

Hi luv2fly, thanks for your input. I have scoured the site around the car but nothing, however, one of the UK's many thunderstorms may have taken its toll on the idea?

Today, the new key shell and transponder arrived, I have a diagnostic tool that can program keys, though I am unsure if that means the buttons, the actual Transponder, or both? I think the facility on the diagnostic device says the 'immo' function or similar. I have swapped the actual key part for the blank one that came, I will attempt to program it, and see what happens. I will let you all know how it goes
Paul