Discovery 2017

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  • terryall
    Member Since: 03 Apr 2019
    Location: Whitstable
    Posts: 105
    United Kingdom 
    2019 Discovery SDV6 HSE Lux Indus Silver

    Key Fob Dead

    I’ve searched on this subject but not found the answer. One of my key fobs has died with no response at all. I’ve tried 2 new batteries but still dead. Do I have to go to the stealer to reprogramme or is there some special method of getting it to work again? The main key fob is fine.
    Thanks.
  • Mole HD
    Member Since: 18 Nov 2024
    Location: Orkney Islands
    Posts: 393
    Scotland 
    2017 Discovery Td6 HSE Fuji White

    With no response from the fob it'll be difficult, I don't think it can be reprogrammed if it is indeed dead. Normally, if that had happened to me, I'd buy a cheap Ebay replacement fob and program it with the IID tool...I programmed a 3rd fob for mine as a backup spare, since Mrs Mole keeps the 2nd genuine keyfob in her handbag.

    Otherwise, it'll be the expensive option of asking an indy LR dealer or main dealership who I suspect will almost certainly sting you for the price of an official replacement fob Neutral

    Perhaps an indy garage who deal with Land Rovers might be able to program a cheap Ebay replacement fob for you using their software? Worth asking...

    On the outside chance of it working...you can try holding the dodgy fob to the steering column next to the grooved bit, it may wake it up...

    .
  • terryall
    Member Since: 03 Apr 2019
    Location: Whitstable
    Posts: 105
    United Kingdom 
    2019 Discovery SDV6 HSE Lux Indus Silver

    Thanks Mole HD. I did read about the grooves on the steering column but it only appeared in one post and nowhere else I could find so In tried it with the engine running and there are no instructions that I can find.
    Didn’t work but I’m nit sure how long you’re supposed to hold it there. I have an IId Tools from my Disco 3 days so may as well sell that and buy a new one. Hardly used it anyway. Not sure if you can programme keys with the IDD tool for Discovery 5s.
  • Narpy
    Member Since: 30 Apr 2025
    Location: Stockport
    Posts: 112
    United Kingdom 
    2019 Discovery Td6 HSE Corris Grey

    If it was me I’d make 100% sure the fob battery wasn’t the problem.
    I appreciate you’ve replaced it twice but new batteries have a sticker on them that prevents contact, ask me how I know?😂

    Check the circuit board too for a dodgy contact but you’ve got that remote for a reason, it’s very doubtful that a previous owner randomly obtained it and it’s also doubtful that it’s just stopped working.
    Concentrate your efforts on that fob before throwing big money at the problem.👍🏻
  • Mole HD
    Member Since: 18 Nov 2024
    Location: Orkney Islands
    Posts: 393
    Scotland 
    2017 Discovery Td6 HSE Fuji White

    terryall wrote:
    Thanks Mole HD. I did read about the grooves on the steering column but it only appeared in one post and nowhere else I could find so In tried it with the engine running and there are no instructions that I can find.
    Didn’t work but I’m nit sure how long you’re supposed to hold it there. I have an IId Tools from my Disco 3 days so may as well sell that and buy a new one. Hardly used it anyway. Not sure if you can programme keys with the IDD tool for Discovery 5s.


    As for pressing the fob to the grooves on the steering column, I'm sure it's 30 seconds or less and you do it with the ignition off. It's more for if you have a low or dead fob battery than anything though.

    If you already have the Gen3 IID tool, you can exchange it for the Gen 4 on the GAP website for around £220 if I remember rightly. You just post your old G3 to them and they'll send a new G4 out to you. That's what I did, exchanged my old Gen 3 I used on the D4 for the Gen 4 through the Gap website

    I programmed a cheap Ebay fob with mine like I said (just to test the new tool out when I got it)...but I have the older Disco 4 style non UWB keyfob...according to GAP though, the Gen 4 IID tool has full function coverage on all D5 models. (as well as L663 Defenders, RR's, Baby Discos + others).

    The exchange process is cheaper than selling your G3 (since it's VIN locked) and then buying a brand new G4 tool...a new Gen 4 IID will sting you around £550 quid these days...although a simple thing like reprogramming a replacement fob...there's £400 it's saved you already Thumbs Up

    Land Rover...IID tool. Should be part of the same sentence Wink

    IID tool G3-G4 upgrade

    .


    Last edited by Mole HD on 29th Sep 2025 7:59 pm. Edited 8 times in total
  • Mole HD
    Member Since: 18 Nov 2024
    Location: Orkney Islands
    Posts: 393
    Scotland 
    2017 Discovery Td6 HSE Fuji White

    Narpy wrote:
    If it was me I’d make 100% sure the fob battery wasn’t the problem.
    I appreciate you’ve replaced it twice but new batteries have a sticker on them that prevents contact, ask me how I know?😂

    Check the circuit board too for a dodgy contact but you’ve got that remote for a reason, it’s very doubtful that a previous owner randomly obtained it and it’s also doubtful that it’s just stopped working.
    Concentrate your efforts on that fob before throwing big money at the problem.👍🏻


    Best advice given on this topic so far. Thumbs Up

    Never mind my rambling on about expensive IID tools...simple things first.

    .
  • terryall
    Member Since: 03 Apr 2019
    Location: Whitstable
    Posts: 105
    United Kingdom 
    2019 Discovery SDV6 HSE Lux Indus Silver

    Yes, agree good advice. I will try the obvious before slashing any cash.
    Thanks for help.

    Terry
  • Mole HD
    Member Since: 18 Nov 2024
    Location: Orkney Islands
    Posts: 393
    Scotland 
    2017 Discovery Td6 HSE Fuji White

    I forgot to ask...was the fob working before or hadn't you used it? I've seen one or two comments around t'interwebs of folk having 2 keyfobs with the car then finding only one worked.

    Squizzel had that issue when he went into the dealer to see his new car...one of the fobs didn't work. The dealer sorted it out for him I think. Might have just been a flat battery due to not ever being used...he didn't say.

    I suspect in one or two of those cases that previous owners have replaced or got hold of a cheap Ebay fob but never programmed it for some reason. I can't see a dealer doing it, so I'd put it down to previous owners trading the car in saying there's 2 keys and not mentioning that only 1 actually works...

    My main key fob, the rubber buttons were all torn and tatty so I ordered a replacement case from Ebay and fit the insides from the original fob along with a new and decent quality battery into it.

    Got one of these nifty leather fob cases from Etsy as well...


  • terryall
    Member Since: 03 Apr 2019
    Location: Whitstable
    Posts: 105
    United Kingdom 
    2019 Discovery SDV6 HSE Lux Indus Silver

    2nd fob was working but not used for maybe a month or two. Still a work in progress I’m afraid as tried all suggestions and still a dead fob. Of course it could be yet another dead battery but that line of enquiry is getting pretty thin now! I wondered whether these fobs could unprogramme ( American word?) themselves?
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