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OP has changed KTM, lock barrel and keys as a set.
@farm-jag Many thanks for the offer. Idiot me didn't click that the images are too large for DVD ( ~20Gb in total)
I'll try the uploads to your link. Failing that, I'll put everything on a USB stick and send that to sanchez.
@sanchez Just a thought - perhaps Coventry Foundation can help you out of this rabbit hole? I would imagine that they may well have the proper kit in Florida somewhere?
Hang on to your original parts as it's probably easier to unpick what you've done rather than dive into the door & trunk lock replacement. On the other hand, having two keys is better than one...
edit: I've successfully uploaded the VM images.
Last edited by michaelh; Jul 13, 2025 at 06:41 AM.
Reason: add upload confirm
OP has changed KTM, lock barrel and keys as a set.
Thanks, I missed that. I think the OP should put the original barrel back in, rather than changing all the locks, then just set up the new KTM with the old keys, or swap the immobilizer chips in the keys, if for some reason the old ones are faulty.
Given that it was overkill to replace the ignition switch barrel also was that it came with 2 sets of keys. Reverting to the original ignition switch barrel will not be a major task if I have to. That will be done after I get the car running.
I'd perhaps look to source a couple of keys so you could program them all together if you do choose to revert.
Guess it depends on which is the lesser hassle.
Having said that I will purchase or try to locate a free download of the IDS software, I have put everything on hold as it makes no sense tinkering with things I know very little about.
The options I have at this point in time is to trailer the car 130 miles from my home to a dedicated Jaguar shop and not know whether they will be able to resolve the issue and at what cost.
As you all know, these shops will try to get as much out of you as they can, especially if you are not around to monitor their progress. "OF COURSE I AM A SCEPTIC".
A few years ago, I needed an engine for my '88 XJS and purchased one for $2700 plus shipping from a "JAGUAR" shop in the midwest. The engine was advertised as running with an accompanying VIDEO. What I received was totally different from the advertised engine. The seller disappeared from the face of the earth or is still active under a different name. You know where I am going with this. I ended up spending a lot of $$ for parts to rebuild the engine. Enough said.
So with the XK8 I am weighing my options as to where to go from here.
Having said that I will purchase or try to locate a free download of the IDS software,
Post #22 above has the only link you need - read the information on there, open the link to google drive and read the documentation, download the files you need (SDD 130) and install it. You then need to buy a Mongoose cable and you are good to go. I would focus on getting that installed and working with your car - don't worry about the car itself until then.
From what you have said, it should be pretty straightforward to sort this out, but you have to do it one step at a time in a nice orderly process, starting with getting SDD installed on your laptop - a 12 year old might be handy to have around at this point.
^^ +1
No need to purchase software. As diibit said, either from the link in post #22, or the proton drive link in farm_jag's post #19. I uploaded VMs for V125 and V130 there together with the Jaguar instruction manual document.
Unable to download anything from the link in post #22. I believe I will be able to download from the proton drive link in farm_jag's post #19.
I am pulling out my other laptop which the battery does not take a charge. I installed a new battery and it still does the same thing Full charge lasts about 10 minutes but will work for me. I have to keep it plugged into the wall outlet.
I had a call yesterday from a tech who lives in Miami which is about 190 miles from me. He told me that he heard from the Jaguar shop I spoke to that I needed some help. I guess that I was complaining too loud . He told me he was a mobile troubleshooter and he goes from shop to shop as needed. Anyway, he said that he would make the trip to my home for $250 and $100 to hook up his laptop and see what needs to be done to synch the KTM to the ECM or BCM or whatever else. If he failed to get the car running, I only pay for the trip. I decided to go for it and as I post this he is on his way. He just texted me to say he was an hour and fifteen minutes away.
Keeping my fingers crossed. I will keep you all updated.
GOOD NEWS/BAD NEWS:
The tech showed up as promised. He programmed the 'Body Processor' security module to the new keys and transponder. That solved the SPARK issue and the car is now running / driving.
BAD NEWS: As with all things Jaguar, a noise showed up in the engine compartment. It started to rain here in Central Florida, so I had to stop. I will diagnose the noise when the weather clears up. They say rain storms for the next couple of days. Since it is a convertible, I will cover it up with plastic for now because I have my other convertible ('88 XJS and my XJ6 in the garage. Soon, the XJ6 will have to stay outside until I finish up the XK8. I am going to invest in a weather proof car cover for the XJ6 because we are in hurricane season here, so lots of rain every afternoon without fail.
All systems checked out OK except the ABS system which pointed to a bad wheel sensor on the front driver side.
To me, that is money well spent. I will do it again in a heartbeat. In the meantime I will try to download the software on my old laptop. I will keep you informed when I have the software up and running. A special thank you all all of you for your inputs. As always very knowledgeable people here.
OK Guys, I got the files downloaded, WHAT NOW COACH????
Not a big computer guy and had the wife get these files, several failed attempts along the way but finally have them in a folder.
What is next?
Not sure I will ever learn how to use them, but I'm game and will look forward to getting this accomplished.
Thanks
OK Guys, I got the files downloaded, WHAT NOW COACH????
Not a big computer guy and had the wife get these files, several failed attempts along the way but finally have them in a folder.
What is next?
Not sure I will ever learn how to use them, but I'm game and will look forward to getting this accomplished.
Thanks
Depends which files you downloaded and where from - post #22 has all the instructions for the versions on there. Maybe have a look at what you donwloaded and read any text files you find. Different versions will have different instructions, so tell us which one you have.
We got the #19 thread, but if you say the 22 one is better, then that's our next project.
I did see I will need a mongoose cord with 12 pins. I work fine with a OBDII for my knowledge of most of the systems, just thought it would be nice to dig deeper into things like keys and all the other gremlin's that car cause havoc for the non-informed.
Thanks for sending me in the right direction.
We got the #19 thread, but if you say the 22 one is better, then that's our next project.
I did see I will need a mongoose cord with 12 pins. I work fine with a OBDII for my knowledge of most of the systems, just thought it would be nice to dig deeper into things like keys and all the other gremlin's that car cause havoc for the non-informed.
Thanks for sending me in the right direction.
I think those are the files Michaelh uploaded - you need to install Virtual Box on your computer from here:-
The run Virtual Box and import into it one of the .OVA files you downloaded - this should then run a virtual Windows XP installation and load SDD/IDS. SDD is the later version of the software, so I would try that. Just get that running first and you should get a box to enter your VIN number. If you get that far, you can try plugging your mongoose cable in, install the drivers and run SDD again and see if it recognises the cable. If it does, then you can finally go to your car and plug the mongoose cable in and see what happens. I don't recommend trying to change anything until you understand what it all does.
Sorry for going silent for the past few days. I promised the wife a vacation so I am on my way(Thursday) to England, Scotland and Wales for the next three weeks. When I return I will be anxious to get back to work on the XK8 to find out what the noise in the engine compartment is. Will post when I get back.
Hello all;
I am back. I had to cut my vacation short because I did not have my ETIAS permission to enter Scotland and Wales so we just spent 6 days in England as I was not going to pay the ridiculous amount of money to get the ETIAS over there. If I did it here in the USA it would have only cost me 19 pounds. The people at Heathrow gave me a waiver because I pleaded ignorance.
BACK TO BUSINESS
I started the car trying to ID the source on the noise in the engine bay. It seems to be coming from the right bank towards the rear. I used a stethescope and the noise is not on the top of the cylinder head. It seems as if it is coming from the lower part of the engine. I do not know if it is a bearing knock or what else down there. The engine itself runs as smooth as silk except of course, the noise. It is louder at idle. Accelerating the engine the noise gets less loud but you can still hear it. Will check the torque converter tomorrow. I checked the engine on the left side with the stethescope and I don't hear any knocking sound. it is only on the right side I hear it
As stated before the noise is coming from the right rear of the engine. I will take a video/audio of the noise in a couple of days and try to post it here. In the meantime I am just pondering on what the noise could be. Any ideas before I drop the oilpan to investigate.
Thanks guys.
