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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Originally Posted by Rupert Prior

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

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.

Originally Posted by davus

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/

Originally Posted by Scouse

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.