I have a 1998 Xj8 L with TWO remote key fobs.
Both keyfobs are "Lazy" like a teenager . Most times you have to push the lock or unlock button 6 or 8 times before it will work (no mater the distance even 5 feet away). Just when you want to break it with a hammer it will work flawlessly for a day or two. Also interesting - is several times you can push the unlock button and there is like a delay - it will unlock but 2 or 3 seconds after it was pressed . Both remotes behave similarly (does that suggest its the "receiver" not the remote ?) and Both remotes look good no excessive wear on buttons or case

here is what has been unsuccessful
several new batteries
clean board and everything else with alcohol
re-programed remotes multiple times
cross fingers
chant Hare Krishna
put aluminum foil in the rubber pockets of the keys

Any thoughts ? thanks

 

Sounds as though you need to clean the contact pads inside the remotes. Just open it up as if you were going to change the batteries and clean the pads on the PCB and the buttons with a contact cleaner.

 

And when the pad cleaning isn't workin good. It is time to fix the rubber button pad. It is not just rubber buttons. It is conductive rubber. Mat does lose conductivity over the years and it can be repaired at home with repair kit.

 

yes it’s normal

you can buy a new one for like 60 bucks

 

Thanks for all the replies
I have cleaned the PCB board and the rubber with rubbing alcohol (using a cotton rag), is the contact cleaner that much better or does it need gentle scrubbing ?

I swear it behaves worse when you only use it once or twice to like to get something out of the car or just move it --but if you are on a day trip and using the remote several times a day, by the end of the day it is working pretty good.

What's the receiving mechanism for the remotes ? can they go bad ?

I bought a remote a few years ago for a different jag - I thought the generics didn't really look that "jaggy" so I tried to get a very good looking used remote - when it arrived, lets just it didn't look as good as it did in the pictures. They make knock off nikon lens caps for a buck that actually say nikon on them - I am shocked there is a nock of remote that actually has the jag symbol at a reasonable price