Hello all,
Does anyone know how to replace the battery for the light on the ignition key pictured above. (1990 XJ40) I can't seem to find any info and do not want to try for fear of damaging the key

 

 

@NTL1991: Thank you for the info.
I followed the instructions and was able to remove the "sealed cartridge" It is not really sealed at all. It is very easy to open to expose the battery and after replacement, the cartridge just snaps back together. I just opened it to verify that it can be done as recommended. Tomorrow, I will take it apart again and visit my local BATTERIES PLUS store to see if they have a replacement battery.

 

A visit to the local dollar store would be my choice for batteries of that type ...5 for a buck or two

 

I finally picked up 2 batteries for the key. No one had them except Batteries Plus and even they had to order the batteries.
Anyway, I installed the battery and the light is very yellow and dim (a waste of time and effort)?
I will take it apart again to see whether the battery is making proper contact with the bulb.
I will also be looking at replacing the bulb the next time around.
The unit is not 'sealed' I opened it up with a blade and it just snaps back together.

 

What an interesting key. I doubt it has much utility in today's word of smart phone lighting, but it is clever. Kinda sneaky on Jaguar's part to make the battery cartridge proprietary and only available via Jaguar ...glad to hear it can be opened and a battery installed after all.

The part number for the replacement battery cartridge surprisingly is still available new, but it is expensive: BCC9959

You may be able to replace the bulb with an LED which would be much brighter and help the battery last.

Note the following about the battery that is mentioned in one of the threads linked below:

I wonder how long Jaguar offered that illuminated key and if it was standard on some models, or an option?

Anyone know what the part number might be for a new uncut key that accepts the light cartridge?



Here are some interesting reference threads:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xjs-x27-32/xjs-lighted-key-assembly-158291/#&gid=1&pid=1

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...roject-159355/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...ion-key-99576/

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I definitely look around to see if I can adapt an LED bulb in it's place.

 

 

My plan is to go find an LED flashlight with a single LED that works with a single AA battery(1.5v) and see if I can adapt it into the cartridge. ($ store, Harbor Freight etc)

 

How did you manage to open up the "sealed cartridge" ? I assume you mean the "sealed catridge" is the battery. Did you have any luck at the BATTERIES PLUS store ?

 

Hi Gunnar, This thread is several years old, However-- Looking at the pic above, I think that by "cartridge" they mean the battery holder/ switch which pops out, not the battery itself. I have one of those keys, but dont use it because of its size. I would be curious to know if there is a workable LED bulb for it.

 

I used a thin RAZOR KNIFE to split the halves.
The halves are then held together when the lamp unit is reinstalled in the key.(no need to glue shut)