hello. I purchased a 1997 xk8 coupe that only came with one ignition key. I can't find any where to get a second key cut and programed. does anyone have an idea where I could check?
thanks, bill

 

no dealers in the area can do it

 

You might be in luck. To my knowledge, the first year '97 in the US does NOT have a anti-theft chip, so no programming is required. All you need is a proper mechanical key. You need a TIBBE 8-cut key. There are vendors on eBay that provide keys based on a good quality picture. There is also a vendor in the classifieds on this forum that advertised these keys. Should be well under $50.

Best of luck, keep us posted.

 

Scroll thru the form to a section called the MARKETPLACE. Scroll thru there and you will find a member in Nevada who is willing to cut you a new key using photo's of your existing key. fmertz is correct the 1997 doesn't require programing because it doesn't have a chip.

 

Thanks for the info🇬🇧🇬🇧

 

See member Sone and this thread:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/market/227433

Graham

 

I had the same problem. I could find no automotive key service that could provide a new key. Understand that there are two issues. First is the tibbe key. Second is programming the car to the key. Once you have a new key both keys need to programmed to the car or actually the car needs to be programmed to accept both keys I ended up going to Jaguar dealer spending two hours and $300 to get new key and have both keys programmed. For another $300 I could have gotten another key fob but I elected to go to ebay and get two for $16 that I easily programmed and work perfectly!

 

There are actually several ways to do this. There are many options for cutting a tibbe key (the physical part). However, it is the programming of the keys to the system that is the issue on 98 and later.

All of mine came with only one key. However, the key cryptography for all of the XK8/R of the time period has been cracked, both generally and specifically. So, one way is to have two (or more) keys programmed to the system in the usual manner with the usual relatively large expense. Another way is to have the chip in a single key 'cloned' so that the system thinks both keys are the first key. This involves electronically 'snifffing' the crypto interaction between the car and the key while the original key is used in the ignition. I called around and was able to find a locksmith that did this and came to the house to do it. About $125 for the key/chip. Works great.

I did look into the details of the cracking, and it might vaguely be possible to do this yourself with a bit of equipment, but not worth the time or money for the relatively small cost of a cloned key.