Central Locking ECU

Hi All, I recently lost a bag and with it went one of the car key fobs. A new key is on order but I have been told that if the new key will not "talk' to the ECU it is because it is an older version and will not accept any new key, a new one is required £200+.
I have seen on other posts here that the VIN No. should be able to confirm that (the dealership just said you won't know until they try to re-code the new (plus existing spare) key. I don't like the idea of not being able to confirm what parts were fitted to a car belonging to a batch of No.s
It is a Disco 4 2013 SDV6 GS, here's hoping someone can help me out.
Thanks Mick

micknkazzyfonce said:

a new one is required £200+.

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not that much http://www.car-keys-online.com/prod...iscovery-4-freelander-3-smart-remote-key.html ... or here https://www.keylessentryremotefob.com/2013-Land-Rover-LR4-Key-Fob-s/8588.htm any serious independent service which is in the key cutting/programming business should be able to program it cos most of them have the tools for CAN-bus vehicles like the D4 is too.

Hi Again. Thanks for your reply, it isn't the key I am concerned about, that is already ordered.
The workshop manager said the ECU for the locking system would have to be replaced if it won't accept any key's other than the originals.
Seemingly "older versions" of the ECU were one vehicle only, the newer models can accept new keys and re-programing.
I am hoping there is a way of knowing that before it gets to the garage.

micknkazzyfonce said:

The workshop manager said the ECU for the locking system would have to be replaced if it won't accept any key's other than the originals.

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that doesnt sound OK for me.... IMO it's boll*x

Think There’s a limit on how many keys can be re programmed into the ecu , think it’s something like 14 ,

Ur new key should reprogram fine and think the manager is trying to charge u for a new ecu as well

Once keys have been programmed to an ecu they can’t be re programmed to another vehicle

I got a new key off ebay for £50 , got the blank cut for £10 and then programmed it myself using a gap iid so if u have an original key that’s already been programmed to ur landy u don’t have to go to a dealer

Ps, the locking system for a D4 is built into the passengers fuse box

sierrafery said:

that doesnt sound OK for me.... IMO it's boll*x

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Indeed , think he’s trying to pull a fast one, haven’t known anyone who has exceeded the limit of the ecu , which is actually built into the passengers fuse box

Just a video showing how easy it can be done, know it says D3 but is an example of the simplicity using diagnostics

gstuart said:

Think There’s a limit on how many keys can be re programmed into the ecu , think it’s something like 14 ,

Ur new key should reprogram fine and think the manager is trying to charge u for a new ecu as well

Once keys have been programmed to an ecu they can’t be re programmed to another vehicle

I got a new key off ebay for £50 , got the blank cut for £10 and then programmed it myself using a gap iid so if u have an original key that’s already been programmed to ur landy u don’t have to go to a dealer

Ps, the locking system for a D4 is built into the passengers fuse box

Click to expand...

gstuart said:

Think There’s a limit on how many keys can be re programmed into the ecu , think it’s something like 14 ,

Ur new key should reprogram fine and think the manager is trying to charge u for a new ecu as well

Once keys have been programmed to an ecu they can’t be re programmed to another vehicle

I got a new key off ebay for £50 , got the blank cut for £10 and then programmed it myself using a gap iid so if u have an original key that’s already been programmed to ur landy u don’t have to go to a dealer

Ps, the locking system for a D4 is built into the passengers fuse box

Click to expand...

gstuart said:

Think There’s a limit on how many keys can be re programmed into the ecu , think it’s something like 14 ,

Ur new key should reprogram fine and think the manager is trying to charge u for a new ecu as well

Once keys have been programmed to an ecu they can’t be re programmed to another vehicle

I got a new key off ebay for £50 , got the blank cut for £10 and then programmed it myself using a gap iid so if u have an original key that’s already been programmed to ur landy u don’t have to go to a dealer

Ps, the locking system for a D4 is built into the passengers fuse box

Click to expand...

gstuart said:

Think There’s a limit on how many keys can be re programmed into the ecu , think it’s something like 14 ,

Ur new key should reprogram fine and think the manager is trying to charge u for a new ecu as well

Once keys have been programmed to an ecu they can’t be re programmed to another vehicle

I got a new key off ebay for £50 , got the blank cut for £10 and then programmed it myself using a gap iid so if u have an original key that’s already been programmed to ur landy u don’t have to go to a dealer

Ps, the locking system for a D4 is built into the passengers fuse box

Click to expand...

Many thanks for the great reply, the manager has ordered a replacement ECU as he said "if we don't need it we won't fit it" as I wrote earlier apparently there are ecu's that will not accept any keys once the original has been deleted. I am always sceptical but without the knowledge or equipment your knackered, and the replacement key & programming etc has already cost £240 inc vat. I actually thought the ecu was behind a door panel. I will give your video clip a good looking at. We get home from a break tomorrow and into the garage Friday first thing..................I just hate the idea of being screwed over.

micknkazzyfonce said:

Many thanks for the great reply, the manager has ordered a replacement ECU as he said "if we don't need it we won't fit it" as I wrote earlier apparently there are ecu's that will not accept any keys once the original has been deleted. I am always sceptical but without the knowledge or equipment your knackered, and the replacement key & programming etc has already cost £240 inc vat. I actually thought the ecu was behind a door panel. I will give your video clip a good looking at. We get home from a break tomorrow and into the garage Friday first thing..................I just hate the idea of being screwed over.

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Ur very welcome

Have also been doing some more digging myself and wished to update something I’ve just found out

D3 keys can’t be reprogrammed , D4 keys can be reprogrammed

Also finding out the limit of the ecu to see how many keys it will accept to programmed into it, if there is 100% a limit

It may indeed be in a different place on the D4

Will let u know when I start finding out some more info for u , so then at least ur know when u see the manager again

Plus urs is the keyless entry isn’t it with the 8 x speed rotary dial plse

gstuart said:

Ur very welcome

Have also been doing some more digging myself and wished to update something I’ve just found out

D3 keys can’t be reprogrammed , D4 keys can be reprogrammed

Also finding out the limit of the ecu to see how many keys it will accept to programmed into it, if there is 100% a limit

It may indeed be in a different place on the D4

Will let u know when I start finding out some more info for u , so then at least ur know when u see the manager again

Plus urs is the keyless entry isn’t it with the 8 x speed rotary dial plse

Click to expand...

I cannot say how much I appreciate the help and advice you provide. I am so sceptical these days, with all the rip off's you hear / read about. It is a local firm (Independent Dealership) and he sounded genuine enough, the key is from Landrover and I guess the cut one will be as well, ker-ching. My car is as you say the 8 x speed rotary dial.
Enjoyed the video and thought the app looked good..............but of course its only for people who really need / use it, the pro version being £500 per year, I'll give that a miss I think ........

micknkazzyfonce said:

I cannot say how much I appreciate the help and advice you provide. I am so sceptical these days, with all the rip off's you hear / read about. It is a local firm (Independent Dealership) and he sounded genuine enough, the key is from Landrover and I guess the cut one will be as well, ker-ching. My car is as you say the 8 x speed rotary dial.
Enjoyed the video and thought the app looked good..............but of course its only for people who really need / use it, the pro version being £500 per year, I'll give that a miss I think ........

Click to expand...

No probs , ur find this forum extremely helpful along with a huge amount of information

The gap iid that can be used on ur landy costs around £420 , can be had for £300 second hand , u can get a non Bluetooth version but a pain having to use just the cars screen, Bluetooth version works via ur iPad / iPhone

Will update u as and when I find more info out for u

Plus assume u have a faraday bag for u key , u can disable it if so req

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/turning-off-keyless-entry.325670/

gstuart said:

No probs , ur find this forum extremely helpful along with a huge amount of information

The gap iid that can be used on ur landy costs around £420 , can be had for £300 second hand , u can get a non Bluetooth version but a pain having to use just the cars screen, Bluetooth version works via ur iPad / iPhone

Will update u as and when I find more info out for u

Plus assume u have a faraday bag for u key , u can disable it if so req

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/turning-off-keyless-entry.325670/

Click to expand...

Good morning gstuart. Feel obliged to update you, went to the indi yesterday, the keys were accepted by the car, so that was a relief. In the time we were chatting the workshop manager came across as Very knowledgeable; I mentioned the garage that installed my tow bar were "waiting" for a LR update to silence the reversing sensors, he just told the guy working on my car to sort it out. That was it, handed the keys and nothing to pay as I payed for the key when ordering. Faith restored, and further to your earlier reply I will be buying 2 x faraday bags today.
Many thanks for you help, again,. Regards Mick

micknkazzyfonce said:

Good morning gstuart. Feel obliged to update you, went to the indi yesterday, the keys were accepted by the car, so that was a relief. In the time we were chatting the workshop manager came across as Very knowledgeable; I mentioned the garage that installed my tow bar were "waiting" for a LR update to silence the reversing sensors, he just told the guy working on my car to sort it out. That was it, handed the keys and nothing to pay as I payed for the key when ordering. Faith restored, and further to your earlier reply I will be buying 2 x faraday bags today.
Many thanks for you help, again,. Regards Mick

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Hi mick

Happy days and great result it was nice and straight forward

Indeed getting a faraday is a good idea

Thks for the update