Freelander 1 Key Transponder & Alarm Key Fob....

Hi all,
Freelander 1, 1.8 K series (2005) Facelift model.
OK I have one key (with a transponder - a small black, graphite / magnet looking thing within the key itself) and I have one Alarm Key Fob (2 button Lucas model). Everything is fine and dandy, but won't be if I every lose the key/key fob, so would like to get a spare, before that eventuality, without incurring another mortgage!

Firstly, have had a new key cut, so can get into the car via the door locks, but obviously this will not start the engine as there is no transponder in this key. So what / where can I get a 'transponder' that is 'paired' to my Landy so it could be started? Is this main dealer only, or are there cheaper options available, and if so what do I have to look out for? How is the transponder 'paired' to the car? Do LR supply transponders without a key?

Secondly, the Alarm Key Fob, where I regularly see these appearing for sale on e-bay, so I can purchase one of these, but assume this will need reprogramming to my specific car. Can these be re-programmed and if so can this be done from my existing key fob (which mine works OK), or does it have to be reprogrammed via a connection to the cars wiring loom? I suppose the next issue is just who can re-programme the Key Fob / PCB, or again is this a LR main agent?

Have read the posts on here about Emergency Key Access (EKA) but would rather have a proper key / key fob solution, rather than fall back on an EKA solution. Views / comments appreciated

Have you tried taping the transponder key to steering wheel cowling and try the new key yet. The transponder is assigned to the ignition security and you would need the code off the key to obtain a replacement from Landrover dealership. I had a similar problem when my Driver door lock failed from the inept designer lock to the central locking system. I bought the earlier version with key with no transponder and use the original for starting and on the tailgate.

The transponders are available from Land Rover, Automotive Locksmiths or off E-Bay. LR dealers and Locksmiths can clone the transponder to
your vehicle. If you get one off E-Bay you will have to take it to a locksmith to have it cloned.
The remote fob is available from LR dealers, many parts sources or E-Bay. They can be programmed with a T4 or other diagnostic device.
I did mine with my Blackbox but a T4, P-scan or other diagnostic can program one in minutes. Some online sellers will send a programming tool along with
the fob for a deposit which is refunded when the unit is returned.

I struggled to find a local locksmith who could do the Series 1 key and keyfob. In the end I found a mobile auto locksmith who could do it, it still wasn't cheap, but cheaper than a LR dealer.

They have to have the correct device to clone the chip. There are many different versions, some only work with one manufacturer and they cost a bundle
so many locksmiths avoid the auto market altogether. (Which is just what the dealers want!)

My advice would be to not buy a key/transponder off eBay - by the time you're done screwing around and actually find a key place that'll cut it, you've burned enough personal time that it would have been cheaper to just go buy an expensive one from the locksmith in the first place.

Most locksmiths can clone a key at half the cost of a dealer, but these days I avoid Timpsons on principle - complete bunch of scumbags that throw excuses as to why they won't cut your key. I once took a (genuine) VW spare key blade into them and they refused to cut it as it was obviously a cheap copy. Obviously.

However I've heard that bribing the guy behind the counter sometimes works there, plenty of rage on t'internet about them.

Dont know what it is like in the UK these days ? - but here in Portugal you can just go to the nearest hypermarket (any that have all the little side stores) there is always a locksmith booth (here at least) - new push button fob and 2 keys was 75 euro all programmed and cut.

They man you need to speak with is a guy called technozen who frequents the mgrover.org forum. Or just google technozen. He is a wizard with the T4 testbook and there is not much he doesn't know about rover keyfobs pektron and Lucas.

Joe_H said:

Dont know what it is like in the UK these days ? - but here in Portugal you can just go to the nearest hypermarket (any that have all the little side stores) there is always a locksmith booth (here at least) - new push button fob and 2 keys was 75 euro all programmed and cut.

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Youre lucky there Joe! Where I live (city of 200,000) none of the locksmiths have the gear to clone a Freelander chip. I have to go into Vancouver proper to
get it done. (A million people there, but still apparently only 2 locksmiths that can do it. )

go to Timpson's shoe people they did me a key with transponder in it for £60 it took him a couple of attempts but did it .

Rich in Vancouver said:

Youre lucky there Joe! Where I live (city of 200,000) none of the locksmiths have the gear to clone a Freelander chip. I have to go into Vancouver proper to
get it done. (A million people there, but still apparently only 2 locksmiths that can do it. )

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Hi Rich, wow ! - I would have thought you had stacks of places there !. - The only thing they insist on here is that you have the vehicle with you (a basic level of security), but yes, there are probably 10 different places within 40 Km of here (the main Porto metro area) or locally -urban, there are 4 within 15 Km.
I have spent longer in Canada in the last 13 years than I have in the UK ... My bro lives there and I visit him from time to time. (New Brunswick - way way over from you..
Doesn't one of those huge 'Canadian Tyre' or similar places do them ? (I love those places - I can spend days in them ... many years ago he was in Sioux Lookout and I remember him going to one of those places and buying a V8 long engine for his truck - it was sealed in plastic - off the shelf !. amazing..
You could buy Rifles in supermarkets but beer had to be from a specialist store...
Joe

Thats true, you can buy almost anything at Canadian Tire but not transponder keys.
For the most part the auto dealers here have pretty much got the transponder market tied up.
The locksmiths have missed the boat on that one. As for automotive specialist locksmiths we really only have one,
which is about an hours drive from where I live. I have heard there is a mobile guy but haven't been able to track him down yet.
And Timpsons....the nearest one is several thousand miles away in the UK.

Rich in Vancouver said:

Thats true, you can buy almost anything at Canadian Tire but not transponder keys.
For the most part the auto dealers here have pretty much got the transponder market tied up.
The locksmiths have missed the boat on that one. As for automotive specialist locksmiths we really only have one,
which is about an hours drive from where I live. I have heard there is a mobile guy but haven't been able to track him down yet.
And Timpsons....the nearest one is several thousand miles away in the UK.

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Hi Rich, I sense a potentially lucrative business for you ......
Joe

I am in the trade (Institutional Locksmith) but am looking forward to retirement not another new business!
The main thing stopping locksmiths from getting into the transponder business is the lack of standardisation.
There are many different types of transponders and you need several different cloning devices to cover the market,
at a cost of usually a couple of thousand dollars each. In some cases you need to buy a virtual token for every key you copy at about 25 bucks each.
There are new machines coming onto the market but the auto manufacturers are constantly coming out with newer, better, systems for their new cars that are more difficult to copy. We are starting to see cars with no keys at all, which will be the wave of the future.
sigh*

I too need another set as I only have the 1 for my td4 so I phoned my local stealer in Sheffield and was quoted £102 for the key, £125 for the fob and roughly £55+vat for the labour to program them both to car!

SamF81 said:

I too need another set as I only have the 1 for my td4 so I phoned my local stealer in Sheffield and was quoted £102 for the key, £125 for the fob and roughly £55+vat for the labour to program them both to car!

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As previously suggested, I phoned Timpsons and they quoted between £45 & £55 for the key and key transponder and programming this to the car. I didn't bother with the door remote fob as the car can be opened with the key and will start with the key/transponder...... My local Timpsons is in Morrisons Superstore, Colindale but they appear to have branches all over the UK.. See https://www.timpson.co.uk/stores My local JLR dealer wanted over £200 + VAT for one key, transponder plus programming it to the car, so Timpsons seems to be the answer. Heading there tomorrow.....

AFS1 said:

As previously suggested, I phoned Timpsons and they quoted between £45 & £55 for the key and key transponder and programming this to the car. I didn't bother with the door remote fob as the car can be opened with the key and will start with the key/transponder...... My local Timpsons is in Morrisons Superstore, Colindale but they appear to have branches all over the UK.. See https://www.timpson.co.uk/stores My local JLR dealer wanted over £200 + VAT for one key, transponder plus programming it to the car, so Timpsons seems to be the answer. Heading there tomorrow.....

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FORGET TIMPSONS.......whilst they have the transponder (they won't provide it without selling a key), but they can't get they key......they'll order it from JLR as it is now a combined key/transponder and door fob all in one) so want £275..... What a bunch of To$$er$

AFS1 said:

FORGET TIMPSONS.......whilst they have the transponder (they won't provide it without selling a key), but they can't get they key......they'll order it from JLR as it is now a combined key/transponder and door fob all in one) so want £275..... What a bunch of To$$er$

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the Timpsons is the one I used was outside Tesco in Longton s-o-t I only wanted a key that could also start the car for the wife as I only had one fob and key and if I was at a ham radio rally she would sit in the car waiting, but often would go for a walk so would have to take my keys with her and I would get back to the car and with bad legs would have to phone her to come back asap to let me in now I do not , also there was once I locked my keys in and had to call the AA now there is no need for that either and I recon at £60 it was all worth it and they have the transponders for every car and they program it there and then.

AFS1 said:

FORGET TIMPSONS.......whilst they have the transponder (they won't provide it without selling a key), but they can't get they key......they'll order it from JLR as it is now a combined key/transponder and door fob all in one) so want £275..... What a bunch of To$$er$

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Honestly they could have told you that on phone surely! That's disappointing, I was looking forward to going down to get a key, as you say its the key that is needed more than the plip fob.