I just bought this Jag and I have some questions about the key.

Black (regular) key will unlock doors, glove compartment, luggage compartment (trunk) and the ignition key slot and turn to start the car.

Green Valet key will unlock door but when inserted in the ignition lock, it will NOT turn!

So does the ignition key lock know that it is not in Valet mode and therefore will not let the Valet key turn it to start the car, or is ignition lock just an everyday mechanical lock and there is something off about the Valet key versus the Regular Key, e.g. wear and disuse?

Also, is there a way to disable the mechanism that requires one turn off the car (back to I, then to II/) to re-engage the starter at position III?
I have a starting problem and it is a 5-10 second pain waiting for the car to go from I to II and settle everything in order to try the starter.
No fast getaway with the Jaguar!
Thanks,
John

 

You must have the wrong green Valet Key.

It should do everything the black Master Key does except open the Glove Box or the Luggage Compartment.

Graham

 

The valet key should start the car.

What problem are you having?

 

With the starting problem and valet key not starting, sounds like an ignition lock fault (being the item in common). Try your 2nd key (you should have valet & 2 others as that's how they shipped). If you only have the one besides the valet you're already exposed to a nightmare if it breaks or is lost.

 

Only have one black key and one green key. I got it from a dealer in California and shipped it to Texas. Green Valet key works door which is why I figured it was the key that goes with this car. Found some papers with prior owner and called him - he was very nice in talking to me and said all he had was the two keys i.e. he never had the second Black key. I will have to call him again and ask if he ever tested the Valet key.
Thanks.

 

The XK8/XKR is originally supplied with:

2 x black headed Master Key
1 x green headed Valet Key
2 x remote fob

A read through posts on this topic will soon reveal how few used cars actually have all of these!

This is how it should work:



(click on the image to enlarge it)

If the Master and the Valet keys don't both open the door and operate the ignition switch, one of these locks could have been changed.

Graham

 

But if the master key opens the door and works the ignition and the valet opens the door it should be good?
Maybe some judicial filing is in order?

 

Graham & Norri,
Norri seems to agree with me in my assumption that if the Green Valet Key opens the door, it is probably the right key for the car and should also work the ignition. But it does not turn. Squirrely lock, perhaps?

Again, I assume that the ability to turn the key does not depend upon the electronic security tests (key transponder check) releasing something in the lock but is only mechanics within the lock.

Anyone take a lock apart to see what's inside and repair it?
Thanks,
John

 

So this is the position:

Black Master Key
1. opens the door
2. fits the ignition lock
3. starts the car

Green Valet Key
1. opens the door

The only difference between a Master and a Valet Key is the end few millimetres is machined down on the Master. This is why a Master key can be converted to a Valet key but a Valet key can't be converted to a Master.



(sorry about the quality of the photo. It's the only one I have of my XK8 keys and I've since sold the car.)

The sections shown with the double yellow arrows should be identically cut. If they are different or there's any damage to this part of the Green key, this would explain why it won't turn the ignition lock.

The lock is mechanical. It has an 'exciter ring' which must match the transponder chip in the head of the key to start the vehicle but nothing prevents a correctly cut key from turning the ignition switch.

As you have a functioning Black Master Key which opens the vehicle and starts it, I would be very cautious about dismantling the ignition lock. You could end up being unable to start the vehicle!

Graham

 

Actually, the Narrower Blade at the end of the Master Key allows it to fit all the way in the Trunk (Boot) Lock and the Glove Compartment Cylinders.

The Wider Blade on the Valet Key prevents full entry. The Wide Blade Could be machined down to match the Master Key.

Of course, the Doors and the Ignition Lock should accept either Key.

 

Sounds like the valet key is not programmed. It will open doors and trunk but not start the car. I bought a key today for my son's XJ8 as he accidentally locked his keys in the trunk after locking the car. Dealer told me it will open doors and trunk but needs to be brought back for programming with the original key as well. I bet your valet key was a replacement that was never programmed.

 

I's not the programming, at least I don't think so he says the green key will turn in the door but not in the igntion.

 

Thanks for the information and comments. I erred - the Valet key will LOCK the driver's door but will not UNLOCK it and it won't turn the Ignition either. It seems almost anything will lock but not unlock the door. After discovering this, I read about the Tibbe Key and decoded the cuts on my two keys. The cuts on my Green Valet Key are nothing like my Black Regular Key. So it is probably not programmed for the car, either. Another question for the prior owner. I hope he will take my call...

 

At least you've now resolved it definitely is the wrong green Valet key.

As you only have the one working black Master Key, now is the time to get a spare arranged! Unfortunately this will be a trip to the dealer (or an Indy with equivalent diagnostics) to program.

Graham