Thread: 98 Autobiography Key Catastrophe

P38 keys need to be made by LR. I assume Rovacraft ordered it from their local dealer which is why it ended up in Melbourne (LR parts warehouse).

$600 sounds a bit steep.
LR Direct show around half that.

Did you check that it hasn't had a frequency change? Early cars were 315MHz, later were 433MHz. Some early cars were changed to solve interference issues which means a new key ordered via VIN won't work.

I ordered some key blades using VINs just before Christmas from my local dealer, who had LR UK make them. 2 weeks later I had them.


If you want to get sorted out once & for all, see if LR Australia have a complete lockset in stock. It comes with 2 new remotes, 2 emergency keys, 4 new door handles & locks. It'll need some diagnostic gear hooked up to make it all work but the last time I checked a lockset was around $1200.

Scott ,
Thanks for reply , car and key were taken by an angry ex girlfriend , i recovered RR by tilt truck and it has remained locked on front yard since middle Oct . How do I find out about a frequency change? Everyone told me that a VIN key was my only option apart from total computer , barrel replacement via wreckers . $1000 plus they say , If or when key comes , word is I will still need it to be coded to vehicle....I wish I had obtained the real truth from AULRO Community before order...Great learning curve for me ..
Thanks for helping..

Frequency changes were done under warranty (never heard of a retail one) so you need to contact a dealer & they can check the warranty history. There is supposed to be an identifier on the alarm receiver under the O/S parcel shelf support trim but I can't say I've found any positive ID way unless there's a code on it.

A new key doesn't need to be coded to the car. It does need to be synchronised but that's simply locking the car manually then pressing the 'lock' button on the remote.

If the frequency hasn't been changed, a cheap (but not quick) fix is to order a key blade (for a remote or an emergency key) direct from a LR dealer.
I ordered blades for remotes as I have a few old remote bodies & they cost me around $20 each. Or you could order a new remote or two the same way.
Failing that, you could remove the door or ignition lock & see if a locksmith can cut a key to suit.
Providing you don't strike immobiliser issues (there should be a mob local to you who might be able to sort that out anyway), this should work OK.

Scott,
I went into dealership to get key code so locksmith could cut me a key so i could at least open her . The search ended up with no code available for Vehicle and the only way was by VIN order cut in UK...The locksmith will come out and make a key to open car for $300 , do you think same key will work in ignition..Thanks again your help has been invaluable..Every mob i contact , stonewalls me with problems about key retrieval and how hard RR have made it...Your several solutions have at least given me options and Hope that I will be driving soon.

If the key operates the door, it should operate the ignition.
Some cars have a 'valet' key which opens the door & starts the car but can't open the glovebox or boot. The P38 only has the 2 locks so it should be fine.

I know it's not the case here, but the "only one key " trick is used by most used car dealers forcing you to purchase an expensive replacement. Heard of one through RACWA where it cost a girl 2K to replace a key for her recently bought car as the computer had to be changed.
I had it done to me when I strayed once and bought a Prado but luckily it was only a 200 buck replacement.
This is also the reason when advertising the Deafener on carsales I've stressed it's got 2 sets of keys plus key ID. Should give a bit of reassurance to possible buyers although I doubt it would cost much to replace them anyway.
Good luck RHR
AlanH.