As a new member of the P38 clan, I find these threads both interesting and scary.
I received only one Key/fob with my 2000 P38. It only works like a normal key. It starts the truck and will lock and unlock by turning in the door lock.
Even with a new battery the red light never comes on when you press lock or unlock. Does not lock or unlock remotely- even when I walk right up to the antenna/receiver. Does not sync up following the method outlined in the owners manual or what I have read in many threads.
So could be a problem with the internal contacts as I have seen in a few Youtube videos.
I assume that while I have no starting issues at the moment- I need to plan for the future.
I know of someone parting out a P38 and has asked what parts I would like to buy. I do not know the year- but if it is a Thor like mine- should I buy the door lock and all of the internal bits with the hope the parts may be in good condition. At least I may be able to refurbish and have one the shelf.
Any Youtube's showing refurbishment?
I am very happy to hear that there may be a solution coming to program new keys now that -at least in the US- LR is not offering new key FOBs to current P38 owners. How would that work if I only have my single key - I assume if new keys can eventually be programmed - the programmer would need my key to read/scan.
While there are a few videos floating around of showing how to move the guts of your FOB into a new cover--- and a few showing how to repair broken internal contacts-- should I take the chance of pulling my only fob apart and try to diagnose the lack of red light going on?
Lucky for me I never have used the remotes on any of my cars/trucks to lock or unlock so I am not in the habit or even think about it. I rarely ever lock my cars manually either.
Until I read many "cannot start" threads, I was under the impression that if I never used my FOB to remotely lock/unlock- or manually lock/unlock then the condition of my FOB is not or could not be a problem. I figured that my ignition switch is the active part and the key was passive when it comes to starting the truck if I never locked or unlocked the doors.
Now I am not very clear on this. So new to the P38--- I do not know what I do not know.