Hello everyone,

I lost my only key to my 2001 XK*. I ended up buying a pair online and had a specialist cut them and program them.

Unfortunately, the cut worked but the programming didn't. I later found the original key.

The problem is my original key doesn't work anymore, so I still can't start the car.

Does anyone know if programming another set of keys wins out the original key connection to the car?

Much appreciated.
Jay

 

Short answer to complicated question .................. and I assume we're talking about the key rather than the remote fob/blipper ?

Car is programmed to the key - not vice versa. Car can accept, by default, a maximum of five different keys. It is also possible to "clone" a key so the car thinks it is the same as one of the existing ones.
Can't be sure, but sounds like your "specialist" may have deleted all existing data and unsuccessfully tried to programme the car to a new key.
I think your only option is to go to a reputable Jaguar dealer / Independent / Specialist locksmith with the keys you have, and start from "square 1"

 

Thank you David

 

As far as I know, all keys have to be present and programmed together...

What SPECIFIC key did you buy? The key has to be tibbe 8 cut (clearly, you were able to locate this and have this cut), and the transponder has to be a Megamos 48, best I can figure. There is no cloning for these. If you source it from a reputable vendor, it is advertised as suitable for:

2000-2003 XJ and 2000-2006 XK8/R

There are other keys for the earlier cars, same 8-cut tibbe, but with a Megamos 13 (again, best I can figure). These different transponders are incompatible.

The earliest car key has no transponder at all, I believe.

On the face of it, you have the wrong kind of transponders, or no transponders at all. Let us know if you can find any details about your original order. Best I can figure, you should be able to move forward from here.

Best of luck, keep us posted.

PS: I am working on keys, too, at the moment.

 

Not the issue here, but early UK (and Europe ?) cars DO have transponders. I don't think they were fitted to early ('97 & '98) cars for the North American market.

I'm not trying to be contradictory - just learning new stuff - but there are companies in the UK who can supply a new key (with transponder) as long as you can send them a working key to copy, so I had always assumed that they just installed an identical transponder in an identically cut key, and the car didn't know there were two "cloned" keys. That works out much cheaper than buying a new key from Jaguar and then getting that new key "paired" to the car.

 

jamgee,

It would help a great deal if we knew where Stoney Brook was! What Country?
That sometimes makes a bunch of difference....England or USA..

I went through this 4 or 5 months ago with my 2005 XKR Coupe.....
First you need to have all the Keys you want cut to match the one or two you might still have....Then find a Key Guy in a Truck that can program them! Don't be a fool like me and forget the Valet Key as you have to have ALL YOUR KEYS WITH YOU!!!! The Guy in the Truck can and will program all of them at one setting with his little Magic Box.....because of my mistake (Valet Key) I had to pay to have those (2) Keys reprogramed along with the other (3) that I had.....overall cash layout of a little over $600.00 BUCKS!

The Key Fobs? You can do that yourself but there again! Be sure to have all of them with you! Directions are here on the Forum...

Make an Avatar with the year and Model of your Jaguar and tell us where you live!!!!OK!

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

Stony Brook, US.

Thanks for all your advice. It sounds like I need to buy a new set again and program ALL of them at the same time.

Does anyone know a reliable place to buy the keys?

Jamgee

 

2001 Xk8 Convertible

 

Well, here is another path for you. This is what I am working on myself.

diy-flip-key-conversion

You already have the cut stem keys, which is the hard part. You would need to procure the fobs (pretty cheap on eBay, say $20 ea), and a couple of Megamos 48 (also cheap if you can find them). Then spend an hour in the garage putting it all together. Last, you would have to have them programmed in to the car, but you are looking at doing this anyway at this point.

As already pointed out, I am sure you can retail this out, and have a mobile locksmith come to you with key blanks, cut them and program them in one sitting. Expect to pay for the convenience, though, I have heard as low as $125 per key. Could be fees, too.

Last "hack" option is to take a hard look at the black plastic key handle you already have. There should be some form of a plug to keep the transponder in place. Or not if you have no transponder. You could always buy a couple of Megamos 48, drill the plastic handle, stuff the transponder in there and seal it off. Then on to the programming.

Best of luck, keep us posted.

PS: Have you confirmed the keys blanks you bought are definitely wrong for your car?

 

YOu can just see where the transducer is inserted in this photograph :

 

hi there
I have a 2001 xk8 also, just had keys programmed by dealer near me in NJ $85 to program, both keys must be present, got my extra key off eBay for $10 ,cut it locally for another $30, 2001 cannot be cloned need dealer, but this was cheaper than a dealers price off $350 for cut and programing, also if you need a remote fob go to RemotesRemotes.com you can pick one up for $20 and program yourself, the procedure is available in the DIY on this Forum,
Jeremy

 

Thank you Jeremy. I'll pick up a new key from eBay and have it cut. I'll need someone to come to my house to program it since I don't have a working key.

Jay

 

Hi Jay
Not sure that a2001 can be cloned, but if you have someone locally who has the equipment to do it in the car great, I found someone about 40 mls from me but he wanted $100 for the programing and another $75 for the travel time,so it was cheaper for me to have dealer do it, also this guy said it would take him about 11/2hrs to do??? Dealer took 15 min and I think that included mech having coffee. Perhaps if you have tow insurance you can get it to a dealer,you could always give closest one a shout and see how much to program?
Good luck
Jeremy

 

Jamgee,

I'm sorry Jamgee, but I'm not 100% sure when it comes to the 2001 Key system...but as I said earlier, You should contact a Big Lock Smith in your area with these questions.....If they can't cut and program the Keys, then ask them who can! They usually have the names of a couple "Robbers" in a Truck that can take care of your problem......I call them "Robbers" because they charge so much....but after a while and you've been at this now for "some time" it becomes cost effective to call one......"over and out"

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

Hi Jay,

I bought 2 keys here off ebay $16 USD
https://www.ebay.com/itm/310966256126

then for $50 CDN got them both cut at a local locksmith
Then for $75CDN at the Jag dealer with all keys in hand got all to work.
The car is programed to accept the keys ...not visa versa

Jag dealer wanted $425 per key to cut and program...NOT

But it looks like you may have to tow the car in ( on a flat deck only... trust me on that)...and make sure you use the tow hook, its in your tools under the spare tire, as there is too much stuff to break at the rear of our Jags to have straps from some unknowing tow driver bend or break things...trust me on this too

Cheers
Andy

PS: good idea to get the key code from the dealer , you will probably need to go with your pink slip in hand and show them you own the car and they can give you codes for all regular keys and a valet key