Greetings, I have a 1997 XK8 coupe. The remote key fob and/or the car exhibit strange behavior - sort of like a teenage couple that breaks up, makes up, then breaks up again. If I have not used the remote in several days when I attempt to unlock the car nothing happens. No matter which button I press most of the time nothing happens. Sometimes pressing the Lights or trunk button will cause that feature to work, but not always, but that does not cause the unlock/lock features to "wake up". Once I use the key to unlock the driver's door then it is likely, but not certain, that all of the functions of the remote will work - but not always. I have two little test sets for testing the transmission from key fob remotes and both report that all four buttons of my remote transmit a signal. I have tried positioning the remote at different locations around the car to see if this makes matters but there seems to be no difference. Any thoughts, knowledge, or previous experience and solutions will be greatly appreciated! Regards, Ken

 

Your information implies that it was working " a few days ago" but is not now . Before everyone else says it do you have the battery on a charger? and is the battery over 4 years old? if the answer is NO then YES you know what to do.

 

Greetings, The car battery is on a Deltran battery tender whenever the car is park, which is most of the time. The car battery tests good under a test load. The battery in the fob also tests good under load in a proper battery tester. I need to clarify. I don't drive the car a lot so typically many days or even weeks pass between drives. After it has set, even a short time, the remote doesn't work until I have used the key to unlock the driver door. I was not clear. It is reasonable for me to report that the remote typically does not work initially when I want to go for a drive. After using the key to unlock the driver's door the remote will tend to work for a while - read that as hours, not across days. Thanks very much for any thoughts. Regards Ken

 

It's normal for the car to go into a 'deep sleep' mode (needs the key to wake it up) after 28 days. Does that tally with what you're experiencing?

"To reduce SLCM quiescent drain, the transmitter receiver portion of the security system will shut down 28 days after
the body systems enter the sleep state. Any body systems activity, such as unlocking the vehicle with the key, will
reactivate the receiver."

 

cool. where did you quote that from , owners manual ?

Z

 

Hi Z,
It's in Gus' encyclopedia:

http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Trai...2002-20-02.pdf

p 3.5.6

 

thank you….

Quiescent !

you don’t hear that much anymore.


Z

 

michaelh .......trust you to have the answer ..as I have replaced my lock solenoids with Chinese ones that in fact replicate the key movement I don't think I need worry.
While I am not using mine much in the freezing weather I have taken to turning on the ignition once a week to jerk the fuel pump. No point in starting it for 20 seconds.

 

It's not a bad idea. I'm sure I read one member has installed a switch in the boot so he can do this without the key.

It's OK to leave the boot ajar as the car will still sleep - at least, mine will.

 

Greetings,

Michael - Such wisdom! Thanks you so very much. That explains everything. Thank you also for the link to the SERVICE TRAINING COURSE 682 ADVANCED JAGUAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. That will come in very handy. I truly appreciate you, and that you so willing shared your knowledge. I feel much better about my Jag now! Warm regards, Ken

 

Hi Ken,
Good to hear your Jaguar relationship is back on track

I love the teenage couple analogy