Hi Tykester
I have a 1999 4/4 and in my case the key is a Rover key. The body of the plastic part of the key has a hole drilled into it parallel to the metal key tongue and in the face that faces the ignition barrel. If I remember correctly the hole is 3mm dia. The glass Ford transponder is slid into the hole and retained by what looks like black silicon sealant, at least that's what I used to refit the transponder when it fell out of the key. It should be possible with a bit of care to remove the sealant in your old key and recover the transponder. A locksmith will be able to cut a new Rover key and all you have to do is drill the hole and fit the recovered transponder. Incidentally the master key should have a small plastic tab on the key ring with a 4 digit number stamped on it, in my case 7308. A locksmith told me this number describes the key cutting code.
![[Linked Image]](https://www.tm-img.com/images/2026/04/20/Ignition-key-transponder.jpg)
Regards Tony
That is definitely the same key type as mine. I can vaguely see where there might be a channel for the transponder to one side, but it is very well covered with solid plastic on mine. That's not to say I couldn't try and drill it out, but I would then be worried about damaging it. It's definitely not falling out on it's own.
There is a shortage of 'independent' key cutters and locksmiths in my neck of the woods but there is one in Otley which I will try first, and see what they say about both cloning the code or getting the transponder out and setting it in a new key!
