I have had this warning on my '22 Defender since I bought it used 9 months ago. Car and keys function just fine, as far as I know. It locks/unlocks, starts, etc so unless there's some unknown feature I'd say it all works OK, aside from this annoying msg I get about 98% of the time.

I've had her at the Dealer twice and both times it was there for a week while they swapped some part. Then they had to "order a new part" so i picked her back up while waiting for the new parts. Its now at the Dealer for the third time and they called me and said they've installed some new part and still get the msg. They have no idea what's causing this. They've talked to "the engineers" at LandRover Corp a few times and everyone is stumped. My Google searches have turned up nothing.

Does anyone know how to get this msg to go away?
I will send a 6 pack of your favorite beer if you can fix this. I'm 100% serious.

 

That's really strange. I've never seen anything like this before. I can certainly do some digging and report back to you if I find anything!

 

Does it happen with both of your keys? Guessing so.

You have had them / or yourself replaced the 2032 (?) batteries in each key? (I seem to remember this can happen when key batteries are dead, but yours don't seem completely dead).

I think the components of the system are pretty basic.
-- The main BCU and some other ECU's
-- An array of antennas (more than one I believe, throughout the vehicle to detect the key's presence).
-- And the keys themselves.

JLR and the dealer can fix this, Like you, I'd be concerned that they haven't been able to get it done. I'd suspect it's something with the antennas in the car not finding the key.

It just seems basic as if the antennas aren't picking up the key that is in the car.

See attached. I grabbed the relevant pages from the official JLR workshop manual for L663 Defender. I think the 4th page in here shows pretty clearly where all the antennas are.

Question: What happens if you put the key on the back seat, or in the trunk and drive around. Do you still get this message? If so that might point to a problem with the front antenna(s) up by where you sit in the drivers seat.

Has anyone had a go ever at installing a built in radar detector, or laser jammer in the vehicle. Or any other after market electronic equipment that may have inadvertently affected ground wires etc?

 

^ I was going to suggest this as well. Replacing the fob battery is always a good starting point.

Also, I have linked a thread I started regarding TSB #JLRTB02076NAS2 that moves the RF receiver and installs a harness overlay for the keyless entry. This could potentially solve your problem.

https://landroverforums.com/forum/20...76nas2-123130/

 

thank you. Very curious to see what you dig up.

 

I replaced the key fob battery. I also have an activity band key and replaced that battery too.

The dealer said that I'm the only person with a new Defender that has had this msg, per Corp LR. My service person says Corp is confused too. Not a very comforting feeling.

I like you're idea of starting the car with the fob in the back seat or trunk. Ill try that in a week or so when I get back from a trip im on. I'd like to think the dealer tried that already, but probably not.

 

I read your other thread earlier, which is partly what prompted me to post this.

I'll mention it to the dealer and see what they say.

 

I had a similar issue with my '20 Defender. Last year I replaced the battery with a brand named supplier hoping that was the issue and I couldn't even open the door. My alarm went off and couldn't disarm it because the key fob wasn't recognized. Luckily I was able to disarm with my phone. I went to the dealer and headed to parts and he replaced the battery. Still the car didn't recognize the key fob. Walked over the service and the advisor told me to drop it off. Long story short the advisor opened up the fob and pressed down the metal contact the holds the battery in place and it has worked ever since. If you haven't try to see if that clip is making good solid contact on the battery. If they have replaced your fob with a new one and you are still having issues maybe it's a bad batch of keys and the metal clip is not securing the battery good enough. Present day the remote is still not without issues. I would say 1 out of 7 times unlocking the door nothing happens and occasionally I get the smart key no longer with the vehicle.

 

I don't this is the same issue. Reread my initial post. My key operates fine. No issues other than the error msg on the dash.
Again, I say "no issues" because it seems to operate perfectly, unless their are some features that I'm unaware of that aren't working. Car starts/runs, doors lock/unlock, etc...

 

Place your key fob right next to the slot/key cutout under the steering wheel. start the car then shutoff the car then restart .See if your message goes away. if it does then battery or antenna would be my guess. That slot/cutout is used to start the car when your fob battery is really dead.