Well I have four 1997 XK8's and one XKR 2000. While putting new tensioners and timing chain we lost a key for one of the 1997 XK8 and had to get the dealer to make one ( note that they are the only one here you can get a key made). The cost of the key was $68.00 but to program the car to the key would be $125.00 more. Now here is the good news with the VID number and proof of ownership they will make the key. So I had a key made for the $68.00 and i will have to tow the car to the dealer. Well the car is back together and I was going to take it to the dealer for programing but the key did start the car and worked great. Oh happy days.......

Another time was one of the cars ( 1997 XK8) was running real rough. The car gave code for a bad throttle body. Just FYI I have a small part room so I did change it out with other used one. Well the car get the code again so I am thinking may be CPU, yep I have two in stock so I change that out and not sure if it was going to work because like the key it to needed to be program. But oh happy days it started right up and been running great for three months now.

Now for the 2000 XKR we only have one key that can with the car. And unlike the 1997 XK8 when the car is running the doors lock. Now knowing me I will be lock out so back to the dealer for another key. Thinking it my start like the 1997 XK8 but it did not turn motor over but will not fire. At least won't get locked out of the car.

And for the 97 XK8's I find it easier to find parts.

Don't get me wrong I love the power in the XKR.....

 

Yeah, kind of miss the days when a key was a piece of brass that just worked, and you could make as many as you needed.

 

I will tell you that $68.00 for a key does hurt. If the car didn't look so dam good. It would have been gone along time ago.

 

Which is why I ALWAYS have an extra key or set in my other pocket...no matter which car I drive.

 

There is a place online that will cut the key from a photograph and programming it yourself is straightforward I think.

 

Rich_t do you know how to program the key (not the fob) for a XKR 2000. It was my understanding only the dealer can do it. Unlike the 97 xk8 that did not need to be match to the car, even though they (dealer) said that you had too. Please pass it on, thanks for your time and how I love this forum.

 

Jags: Unfortunately no. Likely I am misremebering but I thought I recalled a post on how to do it. If you can't find it, likely I am wrong. I know with my wife's VW there was special software and a cable available but I thought I had seen it easier for the Jag.

 

Yup, upon further searching, looks like it's not something that can be done without specialist equipment. Does anyone know if it's the key that's programmed or if the car is programmed to accept the key?

 

Thanks Richy_t, I have a friend that told me that jaguar started the programming campain in the year 2000. That when you need the dealer to program just about everything. Like keys, ECM, transmission computer, body and doors CPU. Now I have no fact of this just hear say. For now I'm good just having the unprogram key in my pocket so that I'm not locked out for the 2000 XKR. Thanks for the reply.

 

Yeah, looks like you need to get some pricey equipment to DIY. If one turned up for the right price, I'd get it just to not be paying the dealer so much for so little. Oh well.

 

I read somewhere that you can program the earlier XK8 by placing the key inside and doing some magic with the key positions, though I also cannot seem to find fhe exact procedure.

Edit: Sorry, seems to be for the remote only. http://db.tt/8Rvv9BUX

 

The key has an rf chip inside the plastic. There is an rf receiver which is hooked up to the ECU which only allows the correct rf id to start the car.
Special equipment needed to add a new key. If you have the chip from the old key you can glue it near the ignition lock and any key you have cut will work.

$68 is cheap compared to many,

 

Keys and modules can be programmed using the old WDS diagnostic computer , there should be plenty of old but serviceable WDS units around as the dealers use the IDS and a later type now ,
I believe it's the same machine that Ford used but with Jaguar software installed ,

Hope this helps ,

Nik

 

I just went through this with my newly aquired 2004. I got 2 keys made at the dealer for $200 each. I researched and found the later years are pretty much "Dealer Only" items. However, I had to have some key fob programming done on my Chrysler 300-- another difficult beast for keys, and found a key NINJA outside of Orlando, FL. He said he has the specialty equipment, and does about one Jag key every 6 months for $125. MC