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My car came with hardware store replacement keys (Ilco brand). I assume the car came with nice Jaguar branded keys. Does anyone have a photo of an original set of keys? My car has a single-sided key that opens the driver door and fits the ignition. The second key is two-sided and opens the doors, boot, glove box and gas caps. Hoping that after someone can definitely identify the correct key style I can find a source for the blanks. Thanks for your help. Jeff
Hi,
there are two or three keys in every XJ, but they are / were not always keyed the same way, or if any lock was replaced during the life of the car, there might be differences, take a look at the keys in the pictures below, those are the factory keys, they have the British Leyland logo.
The 3-key theory was that the car cold be left with a parking valet or at a repair shop with the ignition key and the 'valet' key so that the contents of the boot were secure.
In reality nobody seemed to care. An older Jag with all three keys present and accounted for is a rarity.
As for original key blanks, well, some Googling suggests that owners of MGs, Triumphs, etc are covered but I didn't see any mention of Jaguar....but I didn't even spend 90 seconds on the task
Maybe contact an outfit like this as a jumping-off point?
I got 3 keys with Nix, the rubber topped one broke in the first week and required a hole drilled to keep it on the ring!
Fortunately I was paying good attention when it let go because there was only one and I hadn't got to the lock smith yet for 2 more sets; one for the Extra Drawer and one for the car, giving me a total of 3 sets.
I have one key for the doors, another for the boot & glove box and the rubber topped one for the ignition. No idea what was original, but I can open the doors & drive....all I need.
Not quite. One can have too many keys on a ring. I am a great example. At least two that I've forgotten what they fit. One very of style key that has a purpose, but not for every day. I can attribute part of the reason that the ignition switch in my Jaguar went bonkers, was too much weight.
Clarke:
A bit ago, I needed some gas for one of my small engines. I have a little vacuum based pump to transfer fluids. About a 1/2" hose. My Jeep resisted the assisted siphon mightily. Could not get the hose end "wet".
Odd angles in the filler form an excellent antisiphon.
But, after a few "stabs", I got a couple of gallons out of the Jaguar's right tank.
Back to the original question, Jose, thank you so much for your post including the photo and link to Pete Groh's website. I contacted Pete, a real expert on British car keys, and he had the blank for the rubberized ignition key. I will get it cut locally and I will be all set. As soon as I get it I will post a photo of it and provide his full contact info for others that are interested in getting an original-style set of keys.
Pete has been around for a long time, his site can be used to confirm that your car has the correct keys. I'm glad you found the key. Did you get one or two? You should have two.
if you look under the driver's side front fender (wing), near the outer headlight, towards the inner top of the fender, there could be a spare key put there by the factory.
most have been found and removed. This was not published, usually the selling Dealer would tell the car buyer where it was on delivery of the car.
look in there with a bright light and you will see a square compartment welded to the body, who knows if the spare key is still there.
Wow. What a fascinating bit of trivia. You know, based on this information, there are going to be dozens of people all over the world down there on their hands and knees with a flash light taking a look. In my case I know somewhere in my car's past the wings have been removed (the paint is marred on all the bolt heads). If I am looking in the right spot, it appears that the twisted remains of a metal box are there, but alas, no key. Good luck to all you other folks. Let us know if you find one. Jeff
Some had the extra key in the engine bay, LH side, screwed into the ledge adjacent to where the diagonal brace attaches to the engine bay wall. I suspect the dealer was supposed to remove it but I've seen a couple cars with it in place
Ya but, Doug, how many people know to stick a screwdriver in the "secret holes" to open the hood? Sure, everyone in here does, but what about John Q. Public? If they don't know, what good is a secret key in the engine compartment when the doors are locked so they can't open the hood?
This sort of question keeps some people awake.
(';')
1. A few years ago, I read of the "secret" key under the left wing. Of course, I had to look. An investigator's innate curiousity. I found a small compartment. But the box with the key was absent.
2. And I managed to get the bonnett stuck in the closed position. Not because of a latch failure, but wedged in misalignment. I found the release hole.
But, it did not release.
3. Another try, using a padded Tommy bar released the wedge.
All's well since. Jaguar used on errands yesterday, it purred.
Back to the 100 + F's today. I'll mostly hibernate.
Laundry and foot ball, perhaps a bit of baseball.
My prayers to those in the Caribean, Mexico asn the SE USA.
My daughter has two friends in FLA. One evacuated. Teh smart one. Tehg other "hunkered down". Her chances not good. But, just after major surgery????
09-07-2017, 10:26 AM
Original keys for 1979 XJ6 series 3?
