Soo.. I've found the past threads of people with the same issue, but I'm stuck and not sure how to proceed. I bought my disco used and never had a fob. It seems like the door tumbler has crapped out on me and I can't get in. I can pay a locksmith but I've seen threads on here where they can't get it unlocked. Don't really want to spend the money to find out. There are two possible DIY resolutions that I'm considering to get in. (Once I'm in, I can take car of the tumbler and fob so I'm not worries about that).

Option 1 is to drill out the hole in the rear door behind the license plate. Luckily for me, I have the rear door panel off because I am wiring up some accessories and a rear view camera. From what I can see through the window and having spent a lot of time back there recently, if I can widen the hole just a bit, I can push up on the door latch and unlock it that way. Unfortunately, I have my rear view camera wire running through that hole, so I would have to cut it and resolder. Annoying but doable.

Option 2? The tape trick. I don't know if this works for mechanical windows only. I also don't know if this has the chance to break something. But I've see videos , where people put a bunch of packing tape on a window and yank it down. Has anyone ever tried this on a disco? Does anyone think it would work? I'd prefer this route if it was safe.

Option 3 is to drill out the lock itself. People have described doing this in the threads I've found. I want to avoid this if possible since I can get a wafer kit and fix the lock after I get in. Could always get a door handle from a pick-n-pull but I don't know if there are electronics / the BCU to deal with.

Also, good thing to find out now. Once I get into the disco, I assume the alarms will start going off. If I get the key in the ignition it should stop right? Nothing is wrong with the key so I'm assuming it'll turn on and drive like normal.

 

Been there, done that. Mine was super locked when the tumbler busted and I didn't have a fob at the time either.

As far as I know, no locksmith will touch our rovers because of the type of key cylinder they use. If it comes down to busting a window out, the easiest glass to replace are the little ones on the back passenger doors. Once you gain access, pop the hood and disconnect the battery, disassemble door lock assembly on driver side and manually unlock it to disengage alarm. You will need to source a new door handle (with functioning tumbler) with key(s), as well as ignition cylinder if you want matching keys. Besides having to go to a dealer or specialist to get fobs programmed, you can source good fobs and have them reprogrammed with a nanocom or similar. There is also a company in the UK that will send you new fobs already programmed, which is the route I took as it was the cheapest/best solution for me at the time. The fobs from the UK company don't use same type of key as OEM fobs, so you will have to have the blank they send cut to match if you wanna use it. I still haven't gotten mine cut, so I just use the fob itself and have the key on same keychain.

Probably missing some details, been over a year since I had to deal with that crap. Hope you can find an easier solution though. It is not fun lol.

 

Please be more specific about what happens when you put the key in the lock and try to turn it. Does it simply spin with no resistance, or does it not turn at all?

 

Have you thought about a slim jim tool to pope the lock

 

Does not turn at all. I think one of the wafers is broken inside the tumbler. Sometimes the key won't seat all the way. Sometimes it feels like it's seated but the pins won't turn.

Once I get into the car, I'm planning on following this excellent guide to clean out, and re-install new wafers into the tumbler.

 

Thank you! I searched for videos specifically for the land rover but nothing came up. I just ordered one of those air-wedges on Amazon which will come this evening. I think with that and a coat hanger + some string, I should be able to pull it off.

 

well good luck with it when it comes dont forget to port the result

 

You can get into a LR via a crack in the upper door by using the small bag you stick in the door jam & inflate (sold at Home Depot). Then use a fish tape & grab the door handle.

 

Unless you have a dead battery at the same time, wouldn't it be easier to poke the "all-lock" button next to the clock instead of fishing around trying to hook a door handle?

 

I could be wrong, but I think his success with some of the techniques mentioned depends on if he had it super locked or not.