Hi
I have recently bought a XJS (1989) , 3.6 manual. I live in France and the car was located in his holiday house barn.The seller now lives, year round in the UK.
He sent one key which he thought was an all rounder but turns out, now I have dragged it from the old ban, it is indeed just for the doors! I went back to him and he seems to be struggling to locate this key. There is nothing ringing alarms bells but I was just wondering what my options are? Can I buy a spare? Do I need to buy a new barrel and new key? Will it impact on the engine set up?
I saw something on ebay for about £20 and, well, it just all seems too easy! Or are modern cars just too sophisticated now?
Any suggestions gratefully received
Jeff

 

Welcome to the forum Jeff,

I've moved your question from General Tech Help to XJS forum. Members here with the same model will be able to help.

Please follow this link New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum to the New Member Area - Intro a MUST forum and post some info about yourself and your vehicle for all members to see. In return you'll get a proper welcome and some useful advice about posting to the forum.

Graham

 

Oh, me. But, 89 is not in the super sophisticated modern car class.


Still, the classic tumbler lock cylinder.


My car is similar but different. An 83 XJ6. But, the XJS and XJ6 cars shared a lot.


Supposedly, the ignition switch and the door locks are opened by the same key. Not so in my car. A rekey by a PO most likely.


I would start by removing the entire switch. Fiddly, but doable. I just did it. My switch was just plumb wore out and caused a lot of glitches... A NOS is much tighter and things began to work correctly!!


So, remove the switch and take it to a "real" Lock smith. He may well be able to create a key for it.


If not, do what I did. It will be better than the 20 + year old one...


A lot of keys, but....


Carl

 

My 89 has a different key for the doors and boot and another fpr the ignition. The doors have a 'double blade'. The ignition a single one...

 

If you can prove you own the car, a Jaguar dealer should be able to make you a new key from the VIN. I was able to do that in the U.S. for my 94. Don't know if that's the case for an 89.

The fellow in the UK may be able to do the same at his local dealer if he still has proof of ownership.

Padre

 

On the back of the ignition switch under the dash is a grub screw on the side, loosen it and the back will pull off, on the inside is a sticker with numbers inked on it, it's the code the locksmith needs to cut your key.

 

Did not find a sticker so if i have to change the lock how do i remove it, i can see 2 what look like pins holding the lock against the steering column.

Also the radius arm needs changing on the rear, although its only 2 bolts where it attaches too the floor of the car one with a wire through it, not sure what will happen when i try to remove them?

 

Jeff:


I am reasonably sure those pins are actually "breakaway" bolts. On assembly, they had heads. The lack of heads is theft deterrant.
They are not tightly set. So, what is needed is a means to grasp a shoulder that remains. Various means used by folks. I found a small "plastic wire nut" had a internal contour that just fit. Fingers enough for the front "break away". The rear one a bit more fiddly. so, I drilled a small hole perpendicular to the opening in the wire nut. A small nail fit that and formed a handle that enabled enough torque to release the "breakaway". Didn't take much.


Although unbroken "breakaways are available, I merely used Allen head bolts. Can't see the likelyhood of a thief going in there!!!


As to the radius arm bolts. I've not been there. But search the archives for a post or the source of the repair manual for your car.
I've three factory manuals to cover my two cars. Invaluable.....


Enjoy.



Carl

 

On the 89 you have an ignition key and a key for everything else. Both of these keys you can have Jaguar Heritage make to the original key codes. All you need to do is contact Jaguar and show documentation that you own the vehicle and they will look up the key codes based on your vin number. I had a similar issue with my 90 where I didn't get a door key when I purchased it. The replacement keys I got from Heritage were perfect and they even had the original Jaguar logos on them as well.

 

Those can be tough. What usually happens is once you remove the bolt, the cups in the rubber mount have rusted to the body, effectively welding them together. Applying heat from a torch just burns the rubber and makes an awful mess.

Only method I have had any luck with is to have a long prybar between the suspension cage and the arm and have an assistant apply a downward force to the arm. Then take an air chisel to the inner metal cup of the rubber bush ( not to the cup on the body!!) and the air chisel will shake it free.

An alternative method is to cut the rubber away and use a die grinder to cut away the metal cup. Unless someone has been in there before you and put antiseize grease on the bush and cup, expect to have to use brute force.

 

Yes proving to be tough, the bolt is rounded that screws into the cup, how is the cup fastened to the underside of the car. Thinking of removing the whole cup?
There is goods news the previous owner found the ignition key so a little happier.
Thanks

 

The cup is a part of the floorpan. The metal portion of the radius arm mount just presses onto the body portion. The bolt is what retains it initially, but after many years rust helps too!