| Replacement Keys for L405 | |
There seems to be a lot of mis-information about replacing keys for the L405, so I thought I'd bring what I know to this forum.
The security mod that has been applied by JLR to 2016+ cars involves locking the KVM (Keyless Vehicle Entry Module) to prevent additional keys being added through the OBDII port, which was one of the ways the lower members of society could borrow your car without asking. They could get into the car and get access to the OBD port by relaying the signal from your keys in the house to the car (hence switching off keyless entry, using a faraday pouch or sleeping batteries to help prevent this), then effectively programme a new key to allow them to drive away.
If your car hasn't had the security mod, you can buy a new key from Amazon/eBay etc. for about £20 and programme the new key to your car using the GAP IID tool, or similar, but your car will have this security flaw that means others can do it too.
If your car has had the security mod, access to the KVM via the OBD is blocked. Some people, including GAP, say the only alternative is to replace the KVM to be able to add a new key. JLR say this also, and will say that in 90% of cases replacing the KVM will also require replacing the BCM (Body Control Module). These aren't cheap: KVM - £280 and BCM - £544. Some auto locksmiths are saying the same.
However, a good auto locksmith can add a key using other methods, and it depend on whether you have lost all your keys, or just want to add another. My 2017 car has had the security mod done, and this week I drove to Huddersfield to meet with Paul from PD Auto Locksmiths, who does work for JLR and clearly knows what he's talking about.
I wanted to add another key (one had been lost), and also I didn't have the blade that fits inside the fob which allows you to get into the driver's door by removing the handle cover and accessing the keyway.
Paul confirmed the KVM has been blocked so removed the KVM from the rear nearside panel. This wasn't easy as accessing the bolts that hold it in place is difficult on an Autobiography as the rear aircon gets in the way. Other variants are easier apparently. Once removed, he could take the KVM apart and gain access to the KVM chip on the circuit board to manually re-program it in order to add another key (which he provided). This keyfob looks and feels identical to a genuine JLR one. He then effectively picked the lock in the door handle to get the code of the cut blade and re-cut a new blade. It took about 45 minutes to remove the KVM from the car, 30 minutes to take the KVM apart and re-programme it with the new fob, and 10 minutes to pick the lock and cut a new blade.
For this, I was charged less than £250 (I won't say how much exactly as it is Paul's job to quote how much he charges). I'm not always impressed by people who work on cars and how much they charge often just to replace modules, and often do my own work as a result, but have to say Paul is one of the people I would thoroughly recommend to work on JLR cars if you need keys sorting (he has a 4.8 rating on Google).
Current:
- 2017 L405 3.0 V6 Autobiography
Sold:
- 2013 L405 4.4 TDV8 Vogue
- 2004 L322 4.4 Vogue (BRC LPG)
- 2002 L322 4.4 HSE (having fixed timing chain guides)
- 2000 P38 4.6 Vogue (BRC LPG)
- 1981 2-door In-Vogue
- 1980 Ex-Army SIII LWB
- 1976 SIII LWB
- 1968 SIIA
Stripped for parts:
- 2003 L322 4.4 Vogue
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20th Mar 2025 5:42pm
