1. I have managed to get a new programmable Tibbe cut for $18. But they could not clone it. Jaguar dealer gave the ridiculous answer that they don't service cars 10 years old or older. What next? Or is there any point? What does a programmed key do that a non-programmed one doesn't? I am in northern Indiana near Chicago.

2. Fobs. I have amassed two period and market correct Jaguar fobs and two Ford ones that are supposed to work. All cleaned and new batteries. Also, a tester. All are singing out loud on 315Mhz. I can access the programming mode, but the car cannot "hear" the fobs. The mode ends normally or times out. The antenna to the security module is attached. One thing. The trunk lights don't work (bad trunk latch switch). Could that have any bearing? What next? This has bugged me for the six months of ownership!

Cheers!

 

Non-programmed won't be recognized by the ECU so won't start the car, as I understand it.
Call a couple of locksmiths and ask if they have tried this before with an aftermarket key for a Jaguar of this era and had success. If not, you may have to bite the bullet and get an OEM blank on ebay. I see a listing for $112 right now. That's what I did, and my local locksmith cut and successfully programmed it for me.
Good luck!

 

XJ/XK keyfob transmitters 'to 2000MY' on the left.
XJ/XK keyfob transmitters 'from 2001MY onward' on the right.



If you have the wrong one, it will NOT configure to the car.

 

According to JEPC, to VIN 042775 is MEGAMOS 13
From VIN A00083 to VIN A30644 is MEGAMOS 48. (rolling code)

More info about MEGAMOS 13 and 48 differences.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...loning-249634/

 

Correct. Just tried it. Opens the doors but that's all.

 

Thank you.
My VIN is SAJJA42C5YNA03396. I have the rounded end fobs so the wrong ones? Mine are PN XR83-15K601-AA. The square shouldered are PN LJA2610AA. So are these the RIGHT ones?

 

TO VIN A11050 = LJA2610AA

FROM VIN A11051 = LJE2610AB superseded to LJE2610AC (rolling code)

You need the 'expensive hard-to-find' transmitters.

 

Interesting! I have put in an offer on a LJA2610AA. While I was at it, I looked at the Ford ones I bought. They are probably wrong too for the same reason. Hence, I searched again for an earlier Ford and found these (93-98 Mustang) - looks the same and Ford were using the parts bin. I wonder if anyone has tried them? 2 For 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 Ford Mustang Remote Keyless Entry Key Fob | eBay

 

If you do buy one of those, I'd be interested to know how you get on.

I have one from an old Volvo that, FWIW, is very similar both in appearance and internally. Just never got round to trying it out, and I haven't rediscovered it since we moved house 3 years ago.

It would be a great find if there was an alternative. Heritage has the older ones marked up at north of $400, if they ever get any in stock.

 

Exactly! The older (Jag) one I just got my offer accepted on was $96 all-in - just under double what I paid for the (wrong) newer ones. Let's see if I can get that to work first. I also for grins, bought one of those Ford replica ones. A $13 gamble. Worth it to find out. $400+ for a key fob is just stupid.

 

So it looks like you have the MEGAMOS 13 chip in your original key - you need to find a locksmith who can clone this chip, or otherwise find a Jaguar specialist who will program the new key (assuming the one you bought has the Megamos 13 in it) to the car.

Jaguar did build a good security system in to the car, still hard to get around all these years later, as you are discovering.

 

Thank you! No kidding! I will check with the locksmith that made it to see which chip he put in. The cut was beautiful. Worked perfectly. He just didn't have the right programmer and didn't want to buy one.
I will blast every locksmith within 100 miles to see who can clone it now!
Frankly, I am very disappointed with the Jag dealer (probably not alone there They must have had the equipment at some time (and probably still do).
I don't even mid if the "security" aspects don't work. I just want to open and close doors/trunk and start the car! No need for alarms where I live. Hardly anyone locks their houses, let alone their cars. And I don't need to visit anywhere dodgy.

 

This has developed into a great discussion of an increasingly relevant security vs operation issue as we and our classic cars age. I also live in a regional town, remote from the big cities and any Jaguar dealers. Despite this (or, perhaps because of it), our local locksmith is a very bright younger chap with all the magic stuff, and quite happy to cut Tibbe keys, re-chip etc. I am yet to find any issue that he has not been able to resolve, so it is no wonder that he has built a broad and loyal clientele.

I say this because I think the XKFAN's plan to hit every nearby independent locksmith is very smart. Please reassure us when you strike success.

Cheers,

 

I’ve found Jaguar dealers to be varied in terms of dealing with these 20+ year old cars.


The key is to find a dealer that has a mechanic old enough to know their way around the XK8’s and XKR’s. Plus they need the right parts and the old machines used to cut these keys.

My nearest dealer, Jaguar-Land Rover of Tulsa (Oklahoma) hit all the right notes and took care of my key needs very nicely.

I purchased a fob from eBay and after a few hiccups got it programmed. This was 7 years ago, so eBay prices have gone up I’m sure.

But I would be calling dealerships in your wide area. They aren’t all the same.

Z

 

The immobiliser in our cars really was a peak of security that declined quite quickly afterwards as manufacturers started using keyless entry/start fobs. Thieves only need a wireless repeater in range of the fob in your bedside table to open and drive off in a car equipped with this convenience feature.

Luckily now that our cars are worth so little, thieves aren't going to go to the trouble of hacking the security system - its even too much trouble for the Jaguar dealership to make a new key, let alone for a thief to hack the security, choosing to steal that brand new Range Rover instead.

 

Especially after researchers cracked it completely open and eventually published their findings. The paper was about VW, but it is the same system in our cars. It's out there, you can read it for yourself.

 

Yes, I've seen those papers. It's still a good security system because it combines physical with electronic security. You have to be in touching distance of the key to clone it, or within touching distance of the exciter ring in the car to spoof it and even then it will take time. So it ends up not being worth the effort, as the battery backed sounder goes off.
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I too live in "Smallville" and it was an independent guy that cut the key. (Pretty impressive shop actually.) He just can't program or clone it. Says tool is $400 and does not want to buy for one key! (I have the only XK8 in a very large radius!) I have some other leads to follow...

 

Tell me more. How do I do this? I live in wide open area where an alarm would not be heard by anyone. If this gets the new one cloned, I would be very happy. It had better just not screw up the only working one I have! Send details please!

 

if you can't find anyone local - reach out to forum member @Sone as he has the ability to cut/clone from an existing key - see below thread:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/market/227433/page4