My (new to me) 2001 Discovery came with a key, but no remote to lock/unlock the doors, so I ordered the appropriate key fob from an eBay seller.

I called my Land Rover dealership this afternoon to schedule an appointment to reprogram the key fob to function with my vehicle. First, they can't do it for THREE WEEKS because they are so busy (how long could this job possibly take?) Second, they said it will cost $49 for the "software" and $49 for labor.

Is $100 a reasonable cost to do this work, or am I just a cheap SOB that happens to drive a vehicle that is out of my financial league?

Is there another way to reprogram the key fob other than through my Spokane dealership?

Thank you Forum-readers for your insight,

Rick9Plus

 

As far as I know on a DII only the dealer can program the key fob.
And $100 is the going rate from what others have said.
I think it is overpriced and for that much money I could just keep using the key.
It is like a 15 min job.
Google how to program it and see what you find.

 

The dealer should all ready have the software.

 

The rover's computer must be updated by rover specific "Testbook" software (laptop with rover software and automotive cable connects). The serial number of the new fob needs to be flashed to the computer, maybe 10 minutes work for your $100. You can buy your own software (rover and others), like an indy, but it will cost much more.

You may want to find an indy, it would likely be much cheaper than the dealer.

 

Is it reasonable, NO, but it is what is charged. They charge a flat rate of 1 hour for the process even though it only takes 5 minutes. Course their test book scanner costs over $30,000, got to pay for it some how.

 

100$, not bad but if the RF receiver is fried then its another 300.00. yikes

 

If it makes you feel any better, I went to get a new key for the company car which is a chevy (P.O.S.) malibu. It was almost $100 for a replacement key and programming. The key doesn't have a remote but it does have a chip in it that needs to be programmed. So, it's not just Land Rover that will bend you over....

 

The rubber button covers on my key had fallen to bits and I was just pushing the switch underneath with my fingernail to get it to work. Of course, it finally fell to bits so I bit the bullet and bought a new key from a dealer - this was over the Christmas break and I was up in Queensland at the time so had to go to a local dealer. It cost $350 AUD for a new key plus the $100 to program it. Talk about highway robbery - a mobile phone or a DVD player has more electrical componentry than a landrover key at a fraction of the cost.

On the Australian Series II Discos, you can't just open the doors and start the engine using the key as it doesn't disable the alarm - you have to use the remote otherwise the alarm goes off.

Fingers crossed that my key will last as long as I decide to keep the vehicle.

cheers

Andrew

 

I didn't read any of this post but a few lines, But I would have LR replace the battery and after its all done say your key dont work! Get a new battery and key reset for $ I dont know but $120 bucks GREAT deal!!

 

buzz, thats the exact reason that we check to see if it works before we replace the batt