Remote Handsets: Notes

The remote handset is incorporated into the head of the ignition key. Up to four different remote handsets can be initialized for use on the same vehicle.

The type of transmitter is market dependent and is either a Radio Frequency (RF) transmitter, operating at 315 or 433 MHz, or an infrared transmitter. RF transmitters communicate with the vehicle through the radio antenna integrated into the rear window heater and have an operating range of 10 m (32.8 ft) minimum and up 30 m (98.4 ft) under optimum conditions. Infrared transmitters communicate with the vehicle through an infrared receiver integrated into the interior rear view mirror and have an operating range of 3 m (9.8 ft) minimum and up to 5 m (16.4 ft) under optimum conditions.

Each remote handset incorporates a signal processor, transmitter and power supply in a dustproof and waterproof housing. Buttons on the housing operate the remote functions. An LED on the housing flashes when a button is pressed to confirm operation to the user. If the LED does not flash when a button is pressed the battery needs recharging/replacing.

RF remote handsets have three operating buttons:

• The lock button, for locking and superlocking of the vehicle and convenience closing of the windows and sunroof
• The unlock button, for unlocking the vehicle and convenience opening of the windows and sunroof
• The tail door open button, for opening the tail door while the rest of the vehicle remains locked and for panic alarm activation.

  Infrared remote handsets only have two operating buttons, a lock button and an unlock button.

  Fig 1: Identifying Remote Handset

  Courtesy of LAND ROVER NORTH AMERICA, INC.

The remote handset functions as follows:

• One press of the lock button for superlocking
• Two presses of the lock button for no volumetric protection
• Press and hold the tail door switch for panic mode.

The power supply in the remote handset is provided by a single button cell battery on RF systems and two button cell batteries on infrared systems. When the batteries need replacing the message 'KEY BATTERY LOW' will be displayed in the message center. When the batteries are replaced, the old ones should be removed and the new ones installed within 1 minute or stored data will be lost and the remote handset will need to be reinitializes.

Every signal from the remote handset contains the transmitter identification code and a rolling code. The BCU checks the codes and only responds if the signal is from a valid transmitter. During vehicle production, the remote handsets supplied with the vehicle are initialized to set their individual transmitter identification codes and synchronize their respective rolling codes with the BCU. If a transmitter loses synchronization with the BCU, or if a replacement or additional remote handset is to be used with the vehicle, the initialization procedure must be repeated. During the procedure, all remote handsets for use with the vehicle must be initialized.