[x300] Keyfob programming chestnut

X300
1

Guys,

I bought a second remote for my new car. The seller offered ‘with programming instructions’ and I naively hoped he meant actual instructions - of course he meant he cut and pasted one of the many suggested methods floating around the net into an email to me; disappointing but it’s what I should have expected.

Thing is, since the car came with one - fully operational - remote I am very nervous about trying this and getting it wrong because I assume I will lose the link to the existing key fob in the process. I looked at the archives and didn’t find anything truly definitive.

Does anyone fancy putting their head above the parapet and claiming to have the absolute, no-fail, I definitely won’t screw up the existing fob, method for a UK spec 99MY XJ8 Sovereign? The ‘new’ remote is identical to the existing one and has new batteries in it.

Justin–
Justin Hill, Surrey UK
Jaguar XJ8 4.0 Sovereign LWB 10/98 99MY vin 858319
jhill@cka-net .com

2

In reply to a message from Justin Hill sent Tue 23 Oct 2012:

Never had any problems (yet!) on any of my cars, try this
(it may be the same as you have):

Jaguar XJ8 remote programming

Key in ignition without turning to any position.

Hold turn signal in the flash to pass position, pulled
towards you.

Turn key one position (aux) while holding the turn signal
handle towards you.

Flash the turn signal handle towards you 4 or 5 times and
you should hear a confirmation ‘‘chirp’’ from the security
sounder. Also the security light next to the park shift
lever will flash on.

After the chirp press all the buttons one at a time on the
remote you wish to program listening for the chirp after
each press, or a different sounding error tone meaning the
programming didn’t work.

To program two or more remotes, which will be required if
more than one will be used, follow step 5 procedures one
remote after another until all have been programmed.

Turn off the ignition and test all features of the remote(s).

If you did not get the initial chirp confirming the
programming, or learning, mode, there could be either a
problem with the security module or a problem with the
procedure. The flashes after turning the key require a
certain amount of feel, very rapid or very slow flashing
will not work. The 4 or 5 flashes should take about 3
seconds, not rapid fire.

If your having difficulties, check to make sure the
remote(s) have good batteries and are placed in the remote
correctly, or change the speed of the flashing of the turn
signal handle.

Good Luck but it’s always at your own risk, or pay a
dealer/Indy to do it!–
Neil 70 '97 3.2S http://www.jag-lovers.org/v.htm?1242166704
MALDON, United Kingdom
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3

Hi Neil,

Thanks. Yes, this does correspond with several of the ‘methods’. One, though, says the stalk should also be in the ‘turning right’ upper position. Also, I think my Sovereign doesn’t make a ‘beep’. It’s silent when setting the alarm (the indicators do flash) and the manual says there is no beep ‘in UK and certain other markets’. So apparently I just go by the light on the J gate?

I’m also told that pressing any one button on the remote is sufficient but a total of 5 pushes across all the remotes is required to complete the learning sequence.

Also that the first remote activated corresponds to memory position 1 on the seat memory and so on? I thought this was associated with the transponder key.

The phrase:

or change the speed of the flashing of the turn
signal handle.

is typical of the vagueness of instructions I’ve come across.

I’m going to have to bite the bullet and try it sooner or later, otherwise there was no point in buying the new remote. I just hope I don’t end up with no remote capability at all!

(Thinking about this today I realised that I also have never tried starting the car with the second key I was given. I should check that key is ‘known’ to the car.)

JustinOn 23 Oct 2012, at 11:57, Neil Maldon wrote:

Never had any problems (yet!) on any of my cars, try this
(it may be the same as you have):

–
Justin Hill, Surrey UK
Jaguar XJ8 4.0 Sovereign LWB 10/98 99MY vin 858319
jhill@cka-net .com

4

I’m going to have to bite the bullet and try it sooner or later

And so I did. The sequence, Neil, was exactly as you advised. But here’s where it gets interesting for people trying this in the future: the only reason I knew the sequence was working was because I already had a known-good remote. The first attempt I couldn’t get either remote to work, because I was assuming the ‘new’ one was working properly.

I pulled the new one apart and spent a while cleaning the PCB and the backs of the buttons with contact cleaner on a cotton bud. I made several cotton buds go completely black. On the the third attempt the car recognised the new remote but afterwards I could only get one of the four buttons to work properly (the boot opener, as it happens).

More cleaning and determined pushing and it now works - just. The thing for others in this position to bear in mind is that, if you don’t have a known good remote in hand, you won’t necessarily be able to be sure you got the learning sequence right - and you’ll tend to assume you haven’t. For the sake of the record here is exactly what I did:

(1) Put the key in the ignition, don’t turn it
(2) Wait for the seat and steering wheel to finish their little dance
(3) Pull the indicator stalk towards you so the headlights come on, and hold
(4) Turn the key one click
(5) release the indicator stalk then immediately flash the headlights four times (at roughly 1/2 - 1 second intervals; not too quickly, not too slowly)
(6) J gate light comes on and then goes out
(7) Press either the lock or the unlock button on a remote. J gate light blinks to acknowledge
(8) Repeat on each remote
(9) If you have less than five remotes(!) press the button on the last remote more than once, until you’ve made a total of five blinks happen on the J gate light.
(10) turn key back to position 0

On my 1998/99 UK Sovereign there were NO beeps/chirps or other sounds.

As predicted, my first attempt resulted in neither remote working. So I put the ‘new’ remote in my pocket and started again with just the original, pressing ‘lock’ five times. This worked fine and the remote came back to life. I repeated the process just to be sure, so I knew the car was doing its thing correctly and that I just had to get the other remote to work.

After that, I thought I should also try the spare key I got with the car. It did start the car - but I got the dreaded ‘restricted performance’ message. Panicking only slightly, I reversed the car out of the garage, left it running for a few minutes and then shut it off and restarted with the other key. It came up fine… and then when I went back to the second key that was fine too. I’m thinking that, with my feeble battery (see other posts), not having used the car for two days and then messing with the remotes/lights/locks etc. the charge state was borderline and triggered a spurious status.

I now have two keys, with two remotes, and all working. If I find out what relationship if any there is between these and the seat memories I’ll tell you all about it. Now, if I had the valet key I’d be really happy…

JustinOn 23 Oct 2012, at 12:26, Justin Hill wrote:

–
Justin Hill, Surrey UK
Jaguar XJ8 4.0 Sovereign LWB 10/98 99MY vin 858319
jhill@cka-net .com

5

In reply to a message from Justin Hill sent Tue 23 Oct 2012:

Way Hey as they say: ‘‘faint heart never f***ed fair lady!’’.

Second lesson as you have learnt is : cleanliness is next to
godliness, ‘‘keep it clean’’.

Get a Valet key cut, the profile for the keys is on the net,
though I forget exactly where.–
The original message included these comments:

I’m going to have to bite the bullet and try it sooner or later
I now have two keys, with two remotes, and all working. If I find out what relationship if any there is between these and the seat memories I’ll tell you all about it. Now, if I had the valet key I’d be really happy…

–
Neil 70 '97 3.2S http://www.jag-lovers.org/v.htm?1242166704
MALDON, United Kingdom
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6

In reply to a message from Neil Maldon sent Tue 23 Oct 2012:

I am not in sound enough mental condition to remember which
method of programming worked for which car, but my (US MY
designations) MY 98 XJR, MY 99 XJR, and my wife’s MY 02 XJ8,
each have a different programming method for the remote.
And each could be programmed using one of the available, and
often argued, methods found in the archives.

And I do know it is, as you might expect, the SLM variant
(security and locking module) that determines which method
works, as I have exchanged one between cars and had the
method follow the module.

But, again, I cannot recall which was which.–
Ross - 89 XJS, 98 XJR, 99 XJR, 02 XJ8
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7

It intrigues me that Jaguar chose not to describe the process in the booklet that comes with the car (or even in the workshop manual). I see no security issue with it - after all you have to be already in the car with a working/recognised ignition key before you can do this so you’re already ‘cleared’ as it were.

I guess it’s a revenue protection thing - more work for the dealer.

JustinOn 23 Oct 2012, at 18:45, sparkenzap wrote:

And I do know it is, as you might expect, the SLM variant
(security and locking module) that determines which method
works, as I have exchanged one between cars and had the
method follow the module.

–
Justin Hill, Surrey UK
Jaguar XJ8 4.0 Sovereign LWB 10/98 99MY vin 858319
jhill@cka-net .com

8

It intrigues me that Jaguar chose not to describe the process in the booklet that comes with the car (or even in the workshop manual). I see no security issue with it - after all you have to be already in the car with a working/recognised ignition key before you can do this so you’re already ‘cleared’ as it were.

I guess it’s a revenue protection thing - more work for the dealer.

JustinOn 23 Oct 2012, at 18:45, sparkenzap wrote:

And I do know it is, as you might expect, the SLM variant
(security and locking module) that determines which method
works, as I have exchanged one between cars and had the
method follow the module.

–
Justin Hill, Surrey UK
Jaguar XJ8 4.0 Sovereign LWB 10/98 99MY vin 858319
jhill@cka-net .com

9

In reply to a message from sparkenzap sent Tue 23 Oct 2012:

Hmm, been at Jack’s ‘‘alcoholic’’ cordial again have we Ross?

But you are correctin that all methods seem to work as and
when, I do it by experimenting and picking up the pieces
later if neccessary! I was unspecific, because my present
car is a X300 and I’ve not owned a X308 nearly 10 years,
hence my mental condition.–
The original message included these comments:

I am not in sound enough mental condition to remember which
method of programming worked for which car, but my (US MY
And each could be programmed using one of the available, and
often argued, methods found in the archives.
And I do know it is, as you might expect, the SLM variant
But, again, I cannot recall which was which.

–
Neil 70 '97 3.2S http://www.jag-lovers.org/v.htm?1242166704
MALDON, United Kingdom
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10

In reply to a message from Neil Maldon sent Tue 23 Oct 2012:

I it was just alcohol, I culd remedy the problem by abstinance.
Unfiortunately, I have developed a serious case of CRS disease.–
Ross - 89 XJS, 98 XJR, 99 XJR, 02 XJ8
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11

In reply to a message from sparkenzap sent Tue 23 Oct 2012:

Ross,

To be diagnosed with CRS disease, it has to be established that, at
some point in time, you knew something:-)>–
The original message included these comments:

Unfiortunately, I have developed a serious case of CRS disease.
Ross - 89 XJS, 98 XJR, 99 XJR, 02 XJ8

–
Gary 4.0V8 http://www.jag-lovers.org/v.htm?1253292792
London, United Kingdom
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12

In reply to a message from gary breyer sent Wed 24 Oct 2012:

Gary, Ross has got the tee shirt:

http://www.amazon.com/Diagnosed-Remember-Sweatshirt-Hilarious-Pullover/dp/B004UHJKAU

That much he does remember!–
The original message included these comments:

To be diagnosed with CRS disease, it has to be established that, at
some point in time, you knew something:-)>

–
Neil 70 '97 3.2S http://www.jag-lovers.org/v.htm?1242166704
MALDON, United Kingdom
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13

Get a Valet key cut, the profile for the keys is on the net,
though I forget exactly where.

Really? Unless I’ve missed something, the valet key is still unique to the car isn’t it? Plus the car would need to be programmed to its chip. Many beans - more beans than my love of completeness would justify.

JustinOn 23 Oct 2012, at 15:05, Neil Maldon wrote:

–
Justin Hill, Surrey UK
Jaguar XJ8 4.0 Sovereign LWB 10/98 99MY vin 858319
jhill@cka-net .com

14

In reply to a message from Justin Hill sent Thu 25 Oct 2012:

Justin in the archives/Photo Album, (if YOU search!) there
are photo’s and links on all of this:

http://www.keys4classics.com/html/read_Tibbe_DIY.html

The transponder can be ‘‘CLONED’’ from your existing keys!

GOD really does help them ‘‘what HELP THEMSELVES’’. though
always at some cost.–
Neil 70 '97 3.2S http://www.jag-lovers.org/v.htm?1242166704
MALDON, United Kingdom
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15

Neil,

Since you’ve shamed me into it, I will do some searching through the archives on this later.

In the meantime though, the web page you’ve linked to doesn’t seem to me to say anything about transponder programming, or about the difference in cut between a standard key and the valet key that goes with it.

How could these people cut me a valet key if I don’t have an original to show them? And how would they do the transponder programming without me sending them an actual key rather than a photograph? Unless I’m totally misunderstanding the system, the green valet key may not operate the boot or the glovebox, but it still has to contain a valid transponder chip to start the car.

JustinOn 25 Oct 2012, at 15:14, Neil Maldon wrote:

In reply to a message from Justin Hill sent Thu 25 Oct 2012:

Justin in the archives/Photo Album, (if YOU search!) there
are photo’s and links on all of this:

Keys4Classics.com - specialist classic auto key services

The transponder can be ‘‘CLONED’’ from your existing keys!

GOD really does help them ‘‘what HELP THEMSELVES’’. though
always at some cost.

–
Justin Hill, Surrey UK
Jaguar XJ8 4.0 Sovereign LWB 10/98 99MY vin 858319
jhill@cka-net .com

16

In reply to a message from Justin Hill sent Thu 25 Oct 2012:

I think that I am correct in that the Valet key is the same
as the regular key except for two differences -

  1. The colour is green.
  2. The very tip of the Key is the full width of the Blank
    and is not trimmed.
    The photos in your link are for the regular key only.

Hope this helps–
The original message included these comments:

In the meantime though, the web page you’ve linked to doesn’t seem to me to say anything about transponder programming, or about the difference in cut between a standard key and the valet key that goes with it.
How could these people cut me a valet key if I don’t have an original to show them? And how would they do the transponder programming without me sending them an actual key rather than a photograph? Unless I’m totally misunderstanding the system, the green valet key may not operate the boot or the glovebox, but it still has to contain a valid transponder chip to start the car.

–
98 xj8 4.0
Montreal, Canada
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17

How could these people cut me a valet key if I don’t have an original
to show them?

When I got some additional keys for our 1995 X300, the dealer simply had
the keys cut from the VIN. I asked about getting valet keys as well, but
the dealer said they had never had one cut, and didn’t really think I
needed to spend my money on one.

I seem to recall getting the new keys took less than a week, and only
cost about $35 each. (I had two keys cut.)

I hope this helps.

  • Mark 1995 X300 4.0
18

I think that I am correct in that the Valet key is the same
as the regular key except for two differences -

  1. The colour is green.
  2. The very tip of the Key is the full width of the Blank
    and is not trimmed.
    The photos in your link are for the regular key only.

Mike,

As you say, Neil’s link shows the regular ‘black’ key. I’m fascinated by what you say is the similarity between the two keys - it implies that you could create a standard key from the pattern on a valet key, creating an opportunity for a unscrupulous parking attendant to obtain a new standard key and later steal the car.

Not possible with transponder keys of course - which is mainly what I was on about.

Can I just state for the record that I have no serious intention of ever obtaining a valet key for my car. I’m sorry I brought it up to be honest; I just mentioned it in passing…

JustinOn 25 Oct 2012, at 16:56, Mike Robb wrote:

Justin Hill, Surrey UK
Jaguar XJ8 4.0 Sovereign LWB 10/98 99MY vin 858319
jhill@cka-net .com

19

When I got some additional keys for our 1995 X300, the dealer simply had
the keys cut from the VIN.

I assume the dealer also asked you to prove ownership of the vehicle?

JustinOn 25 Oct 2012, at 17:21, Mark Pilant wrote:

Justin Hill, Surrey UK
Jaguar XJ8 4.0 Sovereign LWB 10/98 99MY vin 858319
jhill@cka-net .com

20

I assume the dealer also asked you to prove ownership of the vehicle?

Actually no. But… :slight_smile: I had just bought the (used) car there and
had the shop order the keys when I came to pick the car up. There was
one key with the car, and I wanted two more. One for my wife, and a
spare.

That being said, in other cases where I have had a key cut from the VIN,
I did have to prove ownership.

  • Mark 1995 X300 4.0