Do you mean does every XK8 have the exact same key?? Obviously the answer is no, otherwise they'd be the most stolen car on the planet!

 

Many hardware stores have chip testers at their key cutting stations. Hold your key up to them, and it detects whether there is a chip or not.

Chances are they'd detect a Jaguar chip even through the store wouldn't be able to actually cut the key. A person might get a false negative from these, but they definitely won't get a false positive.

Just a thought for anyone else coming across this thread.

Also, I too had good success with an internet key cutter for a non-chipped key.

 

There are not that many possible combinations with a Jag Key... Realistically, there is probably less than 350 different Jaguar keys because there are are certainly no "blank" or mostly blank keys. Owners paying $75K for a car would freak if they were handed a key with only 1 or 2 obvious teeth on it. The reason the keys are chipped is some criminals can do math

Odds are pretty poor you'd get the same key if someone sent you one, but the odds are better than winning $20 in the lottery. Not $100. or $1000, but $20.

 

There are 3 cuts (No cut, Half cut, Full cut) for the 8 positions on the key. There are MANY more combinations than 350!!!

But the keys do have many cuts as you have stated plus the RFID.

bob

 

To put a figure on that, 3^8 = 6561

 

That may be the theoretical max number of combinations (for all Jaguar Tibbe keys), but that includes a lot of 1 tooth or 2 tooth keys. Does anyone have a key with just one 1/2 cut in it? It would be totally cool if they did.

 

Hi darbysan,

Thanks for the links. They are exactly what I was looking for.
Programming for the fob looks pretty straight forward and I
have ordered a spare key using the code as described in the
link. Also looks pretty straight forwards but we'll see. I can
screw it up and reorder it 3 or 4 times and still be paying less
than the Jaguar dealer.

Thanks again,

Tom

 

ALL locks have a maximum number of combinations. Your car key, your front door key, etc, etc. Doesn't make them any less secure, because the chances of you finding a lock that your key fits, is so slim.