L322 Key Problem

Hi All,

I've got a key problem with my 2004 L322 4.4 v8. My key won't turn in the barrel. Today a new blank key turned up that I ordered, I was hoping I could swap over the electrics and key, as mine is falling apart, but after taking the keys apart obviously it wasn't possible. I put the keys back together and later tried to start my car. But the key wouldn't turn in the barrel.

I've done lots of searching and read many posts on this and other forums regarding my problem and it seems I have the symptoms of the steering lock ECU problem. But as I took apart my key today and later had the problem, I think it could be my key. I don't have a spare key to do any tests with

So could my key loose its code from taking it apart, I didn't disconnect the key battery?

If my key had lost its code, would my key not turn in the barrel? Or should it still turn?

My steering lock is on, and it seems most steering lock ECU problems, the steering locks won't lock?

I have also pulled fuse 18 and waited 15mins then tried to turn the key, but still had no joy.


Any help would be great

Thanks Dan

As usual, Saint is your man, you can have a read of the post below but you will need a working key so possibly wont help.

The steering column fault stops the key turning in the ignition but sounds like too much of a coincidence that your problem started after taking your key apart.
i think there is a small piece of plastic in your keyfob that is your transponder that can drop out which will then leave the key unable to talk to the receiver around the ignition barrel and the key will not turn without it Did you have any bits left over?

Do the doors unlock with the key fob ?

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f10/range-rover-key-fob-208284.html

You are getting good.....

As above, there is a small piece of loose loooking plastic in the key body, this is the passive transponder for the immobiliser....if the key has been apart or falling apart, this crucial piece could have fallen out.....

Only learning from you Ant

That bit did fall out, when I took apart the key. And I cleaned it quite carefully but put it back in. Does it need to be a certain way round?

Yes the fob locks and unlocks the car

If I buy a new key from the dealer, will it come fully coded to my car? Would I then need to program it to the car? I guessing that has to be worth a try first?

A new key will take a week though as I've already enquired a month or 2 ago as the car only had 1 key when I brought it.

I've seen a new key on eBay new with the electrics, could I get someone local to code it to my car easily, or is it a dealer thing only? Would who ever need the car to code the new key as obviously it's stuck, luckily at my work.

daniel782 said:

That bit did fall out, when I took apart the key. And I cleaned it quite carefully but put it back in. Does it need to be a certain way round?

Yes the fob locks and unlocks the car

If I buy a new key from the dealer, will it come fully coded to my car? Would I then need to program it to the car? I guessing that has to be worth a try first?

A new key will take a week though as I've already enquired a month or 2 ago as the car only had 1 key when I brought it.

I've seen a new key on eBay new with the electrics, could I get someone local to code it to my car easily, or is it a dealer thing only? Would who ever need the car to code the new key as obviously it's stuck, luckily at my work.

Click to expand...

Dealer supplied will come coded and ready to go.

To enable A N Other to code the key, this usually means getting access to the EWS ECU under the centre console.....plugging this into a special reader......reading the immobiliser rolling code.......then placing the key in the machine and have the code transferred to the key.....put the EWS ECU back into the car and bingo!

Okay thanks

I've tried a couple of autolock smiths but both so far, said they can't do that style of key.

The dealer is saying a key would take up to 10days, obviously meaning I have no car until then. But from what your saying the key from the dealer would work straight away if that was my problem?? Or would they need the car as well??

daniel782 said:

Okay thanks

I've tried a couple of autolock smiths but both so far, said they can't do that style of key.

The dealer is saying a key would take up to 10days, obviously meaning I have no car until then. But from what your saying the key from the dealer would work straight away if that was my problem?? Or would they need the car as well??

Click to expand...

Should be ready to rock and roll....check with them first.

EDIT: Also rough/broad location in Surrey?? ...... I'd recommend Hunters in Guildford as my preferred Main Dealer or Rangers Of Guildford as a really good Indy

I'm in Camberley, so Guildford is only 15mins away. I'll try calling them then. I was going to try the Ascot Branch

daniel782 said:

I'm in Camberley, so Guildford is only 15mins away. I'll try calling them then. I was going to try the Ascot Branch

Click to expand...

Ascot maybe closer to you, and when they were a BMW Garage they weren't too bad....only dealt with them once or twice with my Land Rovers and whilst they weren't 'bad' they didn't stick in my memory as rememberable either!

Okay thanks for all your help, spoke to Ranges of Guildford and he said the Ascot Branch were good from what he's heard. So as I'm closer I'll pop in there.

Will post whether this fixes my problem.

Does the key have a tiny chip inside which could fall out. Or is it just the circuit board and clear plastic part? Just seen a picture on eBay for a replacement key which shows a tiny chip as well.

daniel782 said:

Does the key have a tiny chip inside which could fall out. Or is it just the circuit board and clear plastic part? Just seen a picture on eBay for a replacement key which shows a tiny chip as well.

Click to expand...

Have you read the beginning of this thread

I thought you meant the clear plastic bit, that has the dimples on it to press on the electric circuit board, to open and lock the car, as they were the only bits I had left. I really would have thought that this small black chip would have been integrated into the circuit board. Anyway been back into work and found it on the floor by the work bench that I took it apart on.

The car is all up and running again, can't believe that was all it was, I've had loads of BMW, etc keys apart over the years and never seen a separate chip like that in the key.

Good news , I would guess it's so they can mass produce the circuit boards all the same and then the unique car specific part is cheap to change or supply, just a guess though, glad you are sorted

daniel782 said:

I thought you meant the clear plastic bit, that has the dimples on it to press on the electric circuit board, to open and lock the car, as they were the only bits I had left. I really would have thought that this small black chip would have been integrated into the circuit board. Anyway been back into work and found it on the floor by the work bench that I took it apart on.

The car is all up and running again, can't believe that was all it was, I've had loads of BMW, etc keys apart over the years and never seen a separate chip like that in the key.

Click to expand...

My advise to you is, make sure you do the Lottery this week.