Thread: Key fob not locking/unlocking

Have you replaced the batteries in the fobs?

For the D4, I use the fold out key to get into the car on the passenger side. You have to pull off the fixed part of the door handle; it's a cover plate under which there is a key hole. Unlock the car using the key.

With a new battery in the fob, hold the fob up to the steering column where there are 3 raised lines. The car should then recognise the fob and start.

Do this for all three fobs and should be sorted.

Hi Triplezed3
The D3 Fob has a sealed, water-proof, plastic case and the long term, rechargeable battery recharges itself via 'induction' when the key is in the ignition. It was supposed to be a great idea from our adorable, young Land Rover engineers in Solihull. Apparently, you could drop your fob in the Zambezi River and no worries at all.... just fetch it out. Water proof! They didn't consider changing the battery and that the rubber touch pad cracks quite easily after a couple of years.

Now for the fix:
Stage 1. Follow Eric's advice and use the key blade to access the vehicle at the passenger door handle. From memory, in a D3, you can then use the blade to start the car's ignition. Keep it running, then tape the other spare fob near the ignition, to get an 'induction' battery re-charge happening to both of them and then go for a long drive drive. Hopefully they will charge up enough.

Stage 2. To be safe, change the battery(s) ASAP. For a very good "How-To" on changing the D3 battery, go to Disco 3 UK at THIS THREAD and scroll down nine posts on Page 1. Just do One at a Time. Keep one intact for the moment.

I have done this twice, quite successfully on my D3 key fobs. Just cut the Fob case very carefully, so as not to damage the circuit board inside. Battery World Chatswood stock the Panasonic rechargable battery, and they have been happy to mop-up the old solder and change over the battery. It is a bit fiddly. Make a booking though.

Just tape up the old Fob outer case for now. Then buy a new one (maybe two), because the rubber touch pad will crack, if it hasn't already. New cases with a blank key blade, button and new spring are available as a kit on eBay.

Stage 3. You can take the opportunity to laser-cut that new key blade prior to assembly, because the blade does wear and maybe one day, it will be a worn blade that won't start the vehicle. You know, its all just every day Land Rover stuff.

When all done, with all new case, blade, button and spring, your Key Fob, is then effectively brand new. The circuit boards seem very reliable. Mine are 15 years old. No problems at all. (Maybe because the case is water-proof?? If that is the case, I had better apologise to those very bright, extremely talented young Land Rover engineers at Solihull.)

Best wishes, Jeff

All great suggestions and by all means follow them, but it is unlikely both fobs would die at the same time - requires further investigation.

Once you get into the car will the fobs actually start the car? If so then it is just the door opening part that is playing up (either the fobs or the relevant ECU).

Rain you say? Could be the infamous “green wire splice”.

Remote central locking wiring fault and the way round it. | LandyZone - Land Rover Forum

Heh Brad C and 101RRS,
This makes a lot of sense because i recall that the OP TripleZed3, reported a leak in a recent thread, during Sydney 'Rain Bomb' and if i recall accurately, a leaking sun roof may have been involved in the root cause analysis.

Water could have in-gressed into the Remote Receiver wiring loom at that time.

The OP at Landy Zone said:
"The reason I think this happens is water ingress, my heap was soaked and had a rather large puddle right were the looms lies...."

Well done gang.
I hope this works out OK for you TripeZed3. Pls let us know?
Thank you.

Originally Posted by Jeffoir

Heh Brad C and 101RRS,
This makes a lot of sense because i recall that the OP TripleZed3, reported a leak in a recent thread, during Sydney 'Rain Bomb' and if i recall accurately, a leaking sun roof may have been involved in the root cause analysis.

Water could have in-gressed into the Remote Receiver wiring loom at that time.

The OP at Landy Zone said:
"The reason I think this happens is water ingress, my heap was soaked and had a rather large puddle right were the looms lies...."

Well done gang.
I hope this works out OK for you TripeZed3. Pls let us know?
Thank you.

good memory.

A lot of water under both driver and passenger seats. Carpet is drenched and starting to see mould. Think the source is windscreen cowling - I can see a number of gaps (up to 3mm in some parts)… I don’t have a sunroof. Have been trying to dry out the car but the rain just keeps coming…

I’ve purchased a new cowling, will replace and try to dry out the car. Hoping this will sort out the key fobs.

think I might look into an aftermarket proximity locking/unlocking solution using iphone to see if I can do away with the fobs…

Originally Posted by Triplezed3

I’ve purchased a new cowling, will replace and try to dry out the car. Hoping this will sort out the key fobs.

If it's the green wire join under the passenger sill then the answer is no. You need to dig out the join and repair it.

Originally Posted by Triplezed3

A lot of water under both driver and passenger seats. Carpet is drenched and starting to see mould. Think the source is windscreen cowling - I can see a number of gaps (up to 3mm in some parts)… I don’t have a sunroof. Have been trying to dry out the car but the rain just keeps coming…

I’ve purchased a new cowling, will replace and try to dry out the car. Hoping this will sort out the key fobs.

Have you sealed the A pillars where the covers are secured in accordance with the LR Tech Bulletin a few years back - that is where the water comes in - not so much the cowling at the bottom of the windscreen - mine stick out about 1cm" from the bottom of the windscreen between the wipers and I don't get any water in the car - the water just runs into the ventilation plenum and out the drain holes. If these were blocked up, the plenum might overflow into the car but will not do it if the drains are not blocked.

As you can see I can fit one of my fingers in the gap and I get no leaks into the cabin - look to the A pillars.

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