Programming a new key fob for your 2003 Land Rover Discovery can sometimes feel like a daunting task. Many owners find themselves struggling with vague instructions and sequences that seem to be more confusing than helpful. If you’re facing difficulties programming your replacement key fob, you’re not alone. This guide aims to clarify the process and help you successfully program your 2003 Land Rover Discovery key fob.
Here’s a breakdown of the programming sequence that has been reported by users attempting to program their key fobs:
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Prepare the Vehicle: Open the hood of your Land Rover Discovery. You’ll need an assistant to hold down the hood alarm switch throughout part of this process. Ensure all doors are closed, the ignition is off, and all door lock buttons are in the ‘up’ or unlocked position from inside the vehicle.
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Initiate Programming Sequence: From inside the car, turn the ignition key to the ‘on’ position (position 2 – where dashboard lights illuminate, but before starting the engine) and then immediately turn it back to the ‘off’ position.
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Cycle Driver’s Door Lock: Locate the driver’s side door lock button, typically found on the door panel or center console. Cycle this button to the ‘down’ or locked position and then immediately back to the ‘up’ or unlocked position.
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Release Hood Switch: Instruct your assistant to release the hood alarm switch.
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Final Ignition Cycle: Turn the ignition key to the ‘on’ position once more (position 2) and then immediately back to the ‘off’ position.
If these steps are performed correctly and within the required timeframe, the horn should beep once, and the dash LED should light up. This indicates that your 2003 Land Rover Discovery has entered the key fob learning mode. If you don’t get this confirmation, repeat steps 1 through 5, ensuring each step is performed precisely and quickly.
Addressing Common Questions:
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Ignition Positions: When turning the ignition ‘on’ and ‘off’, you should turn the key to the second position. This is the position right before you would crank the engine to start. Position 1 is usually accessory power, Position 2 is ignition ‘on’ (dashboard lights), and Position 3 is ‘start’ (engine cranking).
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Driver Door Button: The driver door button referred to in step 3 is the electric lock/unlock button typically located on the door panel or center console, not the manual door lock lever. It should spring back to the ‘up’ position on its own after being pressed down and released. If it’s not functioning correctly, this could be an issue with the vehicle’s locking mechanism and may need to be addressed separately.
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Hood Switch Location: The hood switch is typically located near the front driver’s side of the engine compartment. It’s designed to trigger the alarm if the hood is opened while the alarm system is armed. Ensure your assistant is pressing the correct switch and maintaining consistent pressure.
By carefully following these steps and clarifying the potential points of confusion, you should be better equipped to program your 2003 Land Rover Discovery key fob. If you continue to experience difficulties, it may be beneficial to consult a professional locksmith or Land Rover technician to ensure there are no underlying issues with your vehicle’s security system.
