Lost my one 'valet' key (green with the nice Jaguar head on it ) and down to my one regular key which is an after market one. I am looking to pick up another key. Do I have a transponder key? My XK8 is a 1997 and I can't really tell. I look at my after market key and it's pretty non-discript. HELP

 

You should have a Transponder Key but, if the PO has used an aftermarket key, other things could have been done to bypass the security and locking system.

On a genuine Jaguar key, the chip is embedded in the plastic head under a small cover (circled in red)



Any sign of something similar on your aftermarket key?

Graham

 

My memory might be failing me,. but I thought I remember reading somewhere that '97 ('96-'97 in the UK) was the only year without a transponder key.

 

I had a nagging doubt about that too but thought it was US only......?

The Parts Catalogue shows a Transponder Coil from the first VIN but makes no reference to market differences.

JTIS illustrates the Key Transponder Module in the 1997 Range Electrical Guide.

Graham

 

That rings a bell with me also. Time for some Sherlock Holmes work!

 

I have a US '97. One key has the transponder & one doesn't. Both look the same except for the small cover.

 

My '97 has no chip in either key.

 

You can take your existing key to a key / lock place and ask them to scan it in their transponder machine. If it has a transponder chip it will show up. The chip is what they call a T5 chip and can be supplied and programmed in most places, but the blank key cutting is the hard bit. You can get a chip programmed and put it into an aftermarket key by drilling a hole in the plastic head, and then filling it with epoxy afterwards. The key blank is called a Tibbe key.

I had a key cut and chip programmed recently, about $125 all up.

 

Just looked at the 1 key I have remaining and there's not a chip visible. However, I will have it scanned.