So, the key fob on my RRS was being intermittent, and had the usual damaged buttons. New kit ordered on eBay, arrived earlier today.

I watched a YouTube video on how to get the old unit apart (felt very responsible), and followed the instructions. The video showed the guy being fairly aggressive at the key end of things, and I was therefore fairly enthusiastic about levering the unit open from there.

I immediately noticed as I prised the unit apart that I was close to the circuit board, and behaved a bit more carefully, to no avail. The transponder was damaged when I got the unit apart.

Now, this was my only key, and I cannot start the engine.

The nearest key specialist advises that he can only programme keys by copying an existing key, AND having the vehicle present. He advises that a land rover dealership can order keys by serial number, and don't need the vehicle present.

Land Rover Southampton advise that they can only program the key if I get the vehicle TO THEM, but that they have keys on the shelf.

Land Rover Portsmouth advise that no land rover dealership has keys on the shelf, they are always ordered in. They suggest that I get the car to the local garage who can probably program keys, then visit them with the V5 logbook. They'll order me a key, have it delivered to the local garage, and the local garage can program it.

The local garage advise that only land rover dealership can program keys with no existing key.

Anybody got any conflicting opinions, suggestions, or insights here? Obviously I'd like to get a new key in the speediest, if not relatively cost effective, way possible.

I should add that all the lock and unlock functions work fine, and I can get into the car.

I feel your pain . I just repaired my spare key last week and wrote this post up for a simple trick that seemed to work quite painlessly. Sorry its only rubbing salts in your wounds now, but that youtube clip is probably the same I found and brute butchery involved .

http://www.rrsport.co.uk/forum/topic46135.html

Sorry I have no experience of key programming, I did see some new keys on ebay with transponder ready for programming but I think your going to need an OBD diagnostic tool. I wonder if any mobile locksmiths can help.

Thanks Adam.

A local indy specialist has suggested that he can not only order the keys from landrover for delivery tomorrow, but that he can drive down here with his computer, and as long as I have 240v power, he can get them coded.

He suggested the only caveat was that I had to have two keys ordered, as he reckons the RRS needs to see two keys present in order to be happy. For the sake of an extra £150 on the bill for the second key, I decided that was a lot less hassle than all the alternatives!

Let's see what happens next...!

if you do a search for "key program" some background reading for you
Lock smith £160 -
another post New Fob £140 + £30 to program.

I cannot imagine that the rrs ECU needs 2 keys, I think he's praying on your misfortune. But all respects 2 keys not a bad to have one in the draw at home for that lost key emergency.


Hope you get it sorted.

I think that the two keys system only applies to cars with keyless entry and also all L494 RRS - when Watchdog caused LR to review security due to Scrotes who whe reprogramming keys via the OBDP I got my Evoque checked out and had to hand over both fobs. The dealership then checked both fobs against the fobs registered in the ECU so they could wipe off any others that might be registered in the car's systems. There was then another upgrade that only allows two fobs to registered to the ECU max. So if your RRS doesn't have keyless entry I don't see why the indie needs you to have two fobs. However if one fob has gone west it might not be long before the 2nd one does too....... 2020 Pangea Green 1st Edition D240 New Defender 110 is here and loving it
2018 Melting Silver Mini Countryman PHEV - soon to be replaced
2015MY Corris Grey SDv6 HSE Dynamic, the best car I have ever owned, totally reliable only a cou0le of rattles in 3 years, now no longer in my care
Also in my garage is a 1996 TDi300 Defender 90 County HT made into a fake CSW

Can you post a picture of your damaged PCB, as it might not be damaged (I'm an Electronics engineer). Usually there is only one chip and a bunch of passive components on the board. To damage it you'd have to knock one of the components off the board.