Programming a new key fob for your 2001 Land Rover Discovery can sometimes be a frustrating process. Many owners find themselves in a similar situation when their original key fob fails or they acquire a replacement. If you’re struggling to program your 2001 Land Rover Discovery Key Fob, you’re not alone. Let’s break down the procedure and address some common points of confusion to help you get your new key fob working.
Here’s a step-by-step guide based on the standard programming sequence, along with clarifications to ensure you get it right:
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Prepare the Vehicle: Open the hood of your Land Rover Discovery. You will need an assistant to hold down the hood alarm switch throughout part of this procedure. Ensure all doors are closed, the ignition is off, and all door lock buttons are in the ‘up’ or unlocked position.
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Initiate Programming Mode: From inside the vehicle, turn the ignition key to the ‘on’ position (position 2 – where the dashboard lights illuminate but the engine is not started) and then immediately turn it back to the ‘off’ position.
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Cycle the Driver’s Door Lock Button: Locate the driver’s side door lock button on the door panel (not the manual lock knob on the door itself). Press the ‘down’ or lock button, and then immediately press the ‘up’ or unlock button. This is the electric door lock button on the door card.
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Release Hood Switch: Instruct your assistant to release the hood alarm switch they have been holding down.
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Final Ignition Cycle: Turn the ignition key to the ‘on’ position again (position 2) and then immediately back to the ‘off’ position.
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Confirmation and Learn Mode: If the sequence has been performed correctly within the time limit (approximately 8 seconds for the entire sequence), the vehicle’s horn should beep once, and the dash LED should light up. This indicates that your 2001 Land Rover Discovery has successfully entered the key fob ‘learn’ mode. If you do not receive this confirmation, you will need to repeat steps 1 through 6, paying close attention to timing and each step.
Addressing Common Questions and Potential Issues:
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Ignition Key Position: When turning the ignition ‘on’ and ‘off’, you should turn the key to the second position. This is the position just before you would crank the engine to start. It’s where the vehicle’s electrical systems are powered up, but the engine is not engaged.
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Driver Door Button Cycling: The door lock button to be cycled is the electric button located on the driver’s side door card. You need to press it down (lock) and then up (unlock). It’s important to note that on some older vehicles, the manual lock knob on the door top might not spring back up on its own after being pushed down. For this programming sequence, ensure you are using the electric switch and that it cycles through both lock and unlock states during the procedure.
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Hood Switch Location: The hood switch is typically located near the front driver’s side of the engine compartment. It is designed to trigger the alarm if the hood is opened while the system is armed. There is usually only one main hood switch that needs to be depressed for this procedure. Ensure your assistant is holding this switch down firmly during the specified steps.
If you continue to experience difficulties programming your 2001 Land Rover Discovery key fob after carefully following these steps and clarifications, it may be beneficial to consult your Land Rover owner’s manual for any model-specific instructions or consider seeking assistance from a professional automotive locksmith or Land Rover service center. They will have specialized tools and diagnostic equipment that can help program your key fob or identify any underlying issues preventing successful programming.
