Need a new key for my P38 - Whats the real story?

[davus]

Hi All,

Unfortunately I had no luck with my SOS post, so to my disappointment i had to leave my P38, and beloved boat stranded 150kms away from home.

Very uneasy about it given how easy it is for someone to tamper with boats :(

Anyway, yesterday I stupidly went for a swim in the bay, and left my one and only key to my p38 in my pocket. Needless to say, its toast.

I tried the EKA process (i had locked with the remote and unlocked with the key, so the car was flashing "engine disable, press remote, or enter code"), and managed to actually get it started. But that was it.

I tried the EKA process again, and again, and again without luck. The 4 CCW key turns just would NOT initiate the EKA process. All it would do is lock and unlock the doors.

So, i was really trying to at least find a way to get it started (and im certainly still open to ideas!), so i could get it home (along with my 3.5 tonne boat), but i wasnt able to no matter what i tried.

If anyone has anything i can try, i would be extremely appreciative.

So - Putting all that aside, looking down the track, i need a new key / remote. Can someone tell me what options i have ........ real world?.

From what ive read, i can either get a local dealer to arrange one for me, OR order one from the UK, but either way it seems its going to take weeks??? Is that really true?.

I think i may also have a slight problem that im not sure how the range rover people will deal with. I suspect at some stage it has had a BCM change??. The reason i say this is in my folder of official documentation (manuals etc), i have the original card with the radio PIN and EKA code on it. When trying the EKA process last night, the original CODE did NOT work. However i also have another loose piece of paper in my folder with a handwritten radio PIN and EKA Code. I have confirmed that both of these work.. Im not sure if these are controlled by the BCM, but something has changed.

Can anyone tell me the best way to handle this?. My boat and trailer in total are a touch over 13 meters long, and im currently blocking 2 driveways. Ive spoken to the neighbours, but all the way i need to try and move it ASAP.

Im certainly not using the "ill pay anything" line, but i am definately OK with paying what i need to for the fastest possible remedy........that includes handing my money over to board members for a working solution!.

I am also open to buying what i need from a wrecker if need be and doing the swap work myself. But i dont know what else i would have to buy?. BCM, ECU, Immobiliser etc......

Thanks guys. Hoping someone can help me out with as much advice as possible.

Cheers :)

Dave

[davus]

hi guys,

im really in a pickle here......can anyone help?.

Ive contacted range rover and the guy told me they dont do keys for that car anymore :o:o:o:o:o

So, as far as i see it, i have two options.

1) Try to get an electronics shop to repair my key.
2) Find a wrecker and buy all the "bits" i need to swap over and make mine work.

The problem ive got is i dont know what bits i need to buy from the wrecker. Can anyone pretty please help me out as to what i need to buy? BCM, ECU, etc???

Thankyou

Dave

[p38arover]

Do you have premium care with your auto club, e.g., RACV, NRMA? If so, they will transport your car and boat. I have that and they were happy to take my P38A and my trailer when I had a torque converter flex plate fail

If your lockset has already been changed, the LR database needed to have been updated with the new lockset codes. If the mechanics didn't do that (not uncommon I believe - it happened with mine), then ordering a new keyfob through LR using the VIN will result in you getting a key that fitted the original lockset.

That happened with mine.

Did your keyfob fall into fresh water or saltwater? If the latter and the battery wasn't removed straight away and you pressed the buttons then there's every chance the fob is shot. It might be repairable but you'd need to open up the fob case. Not easy to do but I have done it to repair broken solder joints.

If freshwater, remove the battery and the rubber button covers and dry the fob in a warm (NOT hot, say, 50 deg C) oven.

You may need to replace the lockset, i.e., ignition lock, door lock, glovebox lock and have the BECM reprogrammed (I believe Rupert Prior on this forum can do that).

PM Rupert and ask him. He know far more than me about that stuff.

[mtb_gary]

Davus

As per p38arover Rupert is your best option. If required he can also bypass the security system entirely. He will need you BECM though.

Gary

[p38arover]

I didn't realise Rupert could bypass the security. That's well worth knowing!

[mtb_gary]

Referring back to a previous post when I needed the EKA to start the engine


i can reprograme the becm so the car can be remobilised just by unlocking the drivers door with the key, even if it was locked with the remote.

I've not gotten around to sending the BECM to Rupert as yet.....it's one of those one day that's a mod worth doing project ;)

Gary

[davus]

Hi All,

knowing that Rupert may be able to help with this if it happens again in the future is a great thing to know. Not just for me, but the board in general. Glad something useful came from this thread.

With respect to my problem, yesterday I took my key to an electronics engineer, who was luckily able to revive it for me. Not sure how he did it, but it now works again, which is very lucky for me.

Moving forward i still need to understand how i can get a second key for my car. I hear there is a company in the UK who can do it....has anyone used them, or know of them?

David.

[Scouse]

Moving forward i still need to understand how i can get a second key for my car. I hear there is a company in the UK who can do it....has anyone used them, or know of them?

First of all, I'd be checking if your car has had a lockset changed.
Up until approx. 2000, the remote frequency used was 315MHz. Unfortunately, this frequency was close to others used in Australia & the cars suffered 'lock out' issues when parked in troublesome spots.


If the owner had an issue, LR would replace the lockset with a 433MHz set & here's where the problem lies.
If the dealer who changed the lockset didn't record the new key numbers for the owner/LR, then you'll find it impossible to get a replacement key.


I'd be going to a LR dealer & checking if the car has had a lockset replacement. If it hasn't, ask them about ordering a key.


Another issue is that you need to know which key you have now. When new, they were numbered #1 & #2. There is supposed to be a colour difference with the battery cover but I've never been able to pick it.
If you have a #1 now & order a new #1, the new key will stop your original from working.
A way around this is to order a #3 or #4 key. They don't have some of the features that a #1 or #2 key has (such as operating memory seats/mirrors) but that's a small price to pay for knowing that the key will at least work.




Lee from Labtronx is also very good with these cars:
http://www.labtronx.com.au/

[p38arover]

First of all, I'd be checking if your car has had a lockset changed.
Up until approx. 2000, the remote frequency used was 315MHz. Unfortunately, this frequency was close to others used in Australia & the cars suffered 'lock out' issues when parked in troublesome spots

Mine had the lockset changed and still suffers from lockouts, especially when I was at work. The radios in the signal boxes must have affected it.

[mtb_gary]

I've just been checking out the availability of keys through the Range Rover P38 FB forum. There have been a few recent purchases of keys from their local LR dealers. Apparently the keys that are no longer available are the 1-4 coding, now just a standard key that syncs when put in the ignition.

Gary

[davus]

I've just been checking out the availability of keys through the Range Rover P38 FB forum. There have been a few recent purchases of keys from their local LR dealers. Apparently the keys that are no longer available are the 1-4 coding, now just a standard key that syncs when put in the ignition.

Gary

Thanks Gary. Sorry not quite understanding where you saw this. Is that a Facebook page? Australian LR dealer?

How do I ascertain if I have had a lock set change?. The key I have has a #1 on it.

Dave

[Scouse]

How do I ascertain if I have had a lock set change?.




I'd be going to a LR dealer & checking if the car has had a lockset replacement.


If there's no record of a frequency upgrade on the warranty system, ask them about ordering a #2 key/remote.

[davus]

As previously mentioned, I rang and spoke to LR. The guy I spoke to told me they don't even make keys for the p38 anymore.


He was completely disinterested in helping whatsoever.


anyone had any experience with these guys? -> Range Rover P38 Key (http://www.alarmremotes.co.uk/id70.html)


Dave

[mtb_gary]

Thanks Gary. Sorry not quite understanding where you saw this. Is that a Facebook page? Australian LR dealer?

How do I ascertain if I have had a lock set change?. The key I have has a #1 on it.

Dave

Dave, spot on with the Facebook post

https://www.facebook.com/groups/163943150327858/permalink/798554076866759/

Gary

[Scouse]

As previously mentioned, I rang and spoke to LR. The guy I spoke to told me they don't even make keys for the p38 anymore.


He was completely disinterested in helping whatsoever.


Call into a LR dealership service dept. They have access to the LR warranty system so ask them to check the warranty history on your car. Take your rego papers in case they're concerned about ownership/privacy.
If the lockset was replaced, there will be a record of it on the LR warranty system.

[davidsonsm]

Would fitting one of these be the cure-all?


MobiLize (http://www.labtronx.com.au/labtronx-products/mobilize-gems)


Only problem is they appear discontinued. Might be worth asking Labtronix anyway.

[TheTree]

Hi

Lee from Lab Electronics is your man, he seems to be able to do stuff Rupert can't.

Labtronx Home (http://www.labtronx.com.au/)

Mind you will need to send him your BECM and a replacement keyfob, but he can get it all going for you

Steve

[Hoges]

I finally got a second key via my daughter who now lives in the
UK. I sent her a scan of my licence, registration renewal, (with VIN and engine numbers), plus a high res photo of the key blade (both sides). also included a statement that the lockset was original. Daughter took info to local LR dealer and the new fob with key finally arrived a few weeks later. All up cost was GBP150 plus GBP10 for first class postage.

While I specifically requested Key#2...each time I change keys I have to re-sync ... which lends support to there being only one key now being supplied by LR.

so, if you have a friend in the UK...

the alternative is to decommission the security system and get a blank key cut locally...

[TheTree]

the alternative is to decommission the security system and get a blank key cut locally...


Or get Lee from Labtronix to sync a keyfob to your BECM :p