I just purchased a 1997 XK8 convertible and plan on doing some maintenance on it that might require me to disconnect the battery, which in turn will lose the code for the radio and CD player.
I could not find any code in the papers I got from the P.O. and also not in the owners manual. I called the local Jaguar dealer and both the parts and service department stated that there is no code for it and they can not find one with the vin. number. I still think there is a code and they stated that if the radio does lose the code, I would have to remove the radio and send the I.D. number to jaguar for a new code.
I am now afraid to disconnect the battery or have the battery go dead on me. Aren't all the jaguar factory radios coded for security??

 

I think you will find that none of the cars on that side of the pond have radio codes. Your dealer is correct.

No info on your your VIN will mean no code.

Someone else may clarify but this is my understanding.

Hope this helps,

 

Not strictly true that no coded radios were fitted to Jaguars in the US market. We have had a very few reports on the forum (4 that I can recall) of US vehicles fitted with coded radios.

However, if the Jaguar Dealer has checked the VIN and found no radio code recorded on the factory build sheet then this vehicle isn't one of them and the battery can safely be disconnected.

Graham

 

I do appreciate the info., the strange thing is I also own a 1993 XJS and it's radio is coded, as I've had to add the code every time I disconnect the battery. Maybe the XJS are different from the XK8s. Also the owners manual states that the manual should have come with 2 cards that had the code for the radio, but I cannot find them. I suppose the only way to truly find out is to wait till the day I have to disconnect the battery. I will try to avoid that day. Thanks again

 

I think on the XK8, all the US cars came with a code card, but very few actually had the radio security enabled.

 

Steve,

Have you ever opened up one of the early radios?

I haven't but am curious to know if there is a jumper on the board that can be switched or removed to clear a code.

Graham