I recently fell for the folding Key Fob thing and ordered the pretty one from Taiwan.....It is really nice looking.....So I went to the Jaguar Dealer to get it cut.....Couldn't figure out how to get it in his Key Machine, so I called a Guy in a Mobile Key Truck......He cut the Key for $250.00 and then asked if I would like to have it programed....? He took my ignition Key and the cute little Flip Key and got in my car with a machine and programed them. After he put the Programmer back in his Truck, He asked for another $200.00 and I asked him well....What about the Valet Key and the other one at Home......Oh! he said, You'll have to call me sometime and I will meet you and we'll have to Program all 4 at the same time......but until then you will only have 2 and I'll give you a break and not recharge you for these (2)!

Does anyone know how to reprogram our XK8-XKR Keys without having to use these Masked men in trucks?

Billy Clyde

 

I think you can do it with a Mongoose and IDS

 

dsd, I assume you are joking or if not; how about explaining what this means?

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

Not Joking. Drew Technologies Mongoose Pro is a Jaguar Compatible VCI that can be used for programing. IDS is the Jaguar Factory Technician Program that is used with a VCI to program the car.

A real Mongoose is about $600 and there are copies of IDS floating around (or you can daily subscribe). Cloned Mongooses exist but buyer and programmer beware.

 

Hmm, 600$ you say. I have two cars so this is relevant to my interests. Like most expensive oem equivalent systems, this likely will retain most of it's value on resale. I lost 40$ on owning VCDS for my Audis for 6 years. Not a bad deal!

​​​​​

 

Ouch, that's a lot of money to throw at keys and programming. I invested in a VCM and laptop with the dealer software. I say investment because it will more than pay for itself over the course of my Jaguar ownership and more likely than not I will be able to resell it for probably not much less than I have in it. If you regularly do your own work on your Jaguar(s) this tool is well worth it. The initial sticker shock may be hard to get past (north of $1,000) but it pays for itself after a few trips to the dealer, or in this case, a handful of keys being programmed. There are less expensive versions that will work (the genuine Mongoose cable, for example). Steer clear of the cloned Mongoose cables, there have been too many members who have done damage to their cars with those. At any rate, you will want a dedicated laptop for the software.

Edit: Also, forgot to add you will need a decent power supply connected to your car while the VCM/Mongoose is plugged in. Car chargers will not cut it.

 

How about this?
JLR Mongoose Pro V145 for Jaguar and Land Rover With Multi-languages

 

Thats a clone. Look at the general tech forum on info/issues with clones. They tend to die pretty quick and sometime don't finish programing hence the issues mentioned earlier.

Note it says no internet connection or it will ruin your mongoose. Thats because the software attempts to update the firmware which is not compatible with the clones.

 

A mongoose/mangoose will not work with IDS. The mongoose/mangoose will work with SDD version 125 and onward. The software will revert to Legacy IDS (built into the SDD software) if the car is older.

I use IDS/VCM and version 118.5 (good up to 2009MY Jaguars). DVD118.5 is the last version of IDS. SDD began with SDD119.

There is no point in using the latest/greatest/newest version of SDD if you are working on cars up to the mid 2000s. Software a few years newer than the car will update and configure all you need.

bob

 

Gee Guys! I only asked if you knew a simple way to re-program the XK8, XKR Key! I didn't want to buy a Mongoose or a IDS or a SDD version 125.......whatever the Heck they are.... I was thinking that maybe there was a way to do it like you can with an XJR or those type of Jags......You would think that if those cars have a simple way that the XKR would also!
It appears that I'm out of luck here! So, I'll just call the Robber in the Key Man Truck and give him some more money!!!! Thanks anyway!

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

there are specif key programmers for @ $200 which are reputed to 'work'.
wj

 

Ah, well. A real Mongoose is the sort of tool that a club should buy to share among members.

 

ugh! i got mine cut and programmed for $250. I thought we were expensive in LA> at least he wont charge you for all those extra keys you have, and hopefully they will last forever for your car.

think of it this way, it was cheaper than getting one key cut at the dealer,,,which i heard is $500???!!!

 

Well, Ms. Bluefin, You certainly have a way of making me feel better! Your right, of course.....I haven't spent $500.00 Big Ones YET! Only about $275.00 going on at least another $150.00...Then I will have 4 Keys and a valet for 1 Car......Sort of a waste of Money....Oh Well!

I found some Lumen LED 1156 & 1157 Bulbs that are suppose to work in the Tail Lights without turning on my "Check Rear Lights" warning. They should be here this week and I really hope they will work....I'll let you know!

Billy Clyde

 

I don't mean this to be lazy when I could google, but would you be willing to provide a vendor/link for a good resource to buy a real genuine tool? I'd be willing to spend a grand or less on a real deal unit.

 

MongoosePro JLR

 

It is a little cheaper on Amazon

 

Honestly, I would only buy this direct. With so many clones out there, you really want to be 100% on its lineage. You also want to ensure you get the latest HW version and no questions on support. The $12 difference on a $600 item is just not worth it.

 

For about $400-$500 you could get a used FORD/JAGUAR WDS and the software for the cars you have. We used the WDS (1998-2006) until the IDS was released in 2006.

They are old Windows 98 machines but they work fine. We used them everyday for years at the dealer. Kinda 'dinosaurs' now but they were 'state-of-the-art' back in the day.

Just a suggestion.

bob

 

I bought a "Mangoose" and am working through installing the software. Will let you know how it works for me...