Hi there, my wife has a freelander 97, 1.8 2 door. yep spent more time under it than driving it! We have a problem with starting.Batteries were running low in fobs (beeping noise from dash) and we had a few issues starting it, changed batteries and all seemed fine for a couple of months, then last week we had issues unlocking and locking with fobs again and starting problems.

I have had a good look on all the posts on here, related to this and have tried everything. I took off steering column cover and checked all connections to the barrell and the transponder ring, all ok. Checked the voltage at starter solanoid all ok. Now I assumed the fob only turned the alarm on and off and the central locking and that the chip in the key is what works the transponder around the barrell so when you put the key in the barrell knows its in position and turns imobiliser off. Could not get car to start all lights come on on dash and and fuel pump kicks, when in position 2, but the red alarm light is flashing and the engine will not boot up when turned to 3. Tried clicking buttons on fob and nothing , car would not lock or unlock ( i am still sitting in car with keys in ignition). While in position 2 and while constantly pressing the fob to unlock all of a sudden there was a click (not like the central locking motor working) but definately a click and then alarm light went out and she fired up. This problem seems intermitent and the car only seems to start every know and then when i click fob and it eventually does something to disable the immobiliser.

Now this leads me to think that the fob must have something to do with the immobiliser. Any thoughts would be gratefully recieved, thanks in advance guys.

As far as I know, the fob has no bearing on the imobiliser. You can lock & unlock with the key so it shouldn't have anyway. Have you been through the re syncing the fob process. I believe it can take a few attempts to do it.

Someone with more info will no doubt be along soon.

EDIT On re-reading it looks like you might have "accidentaly" synced it whils pressing the button a lot of times. I'm fairl sure it must be to do with this

Early Freelanders do rely on the fob to disarm the immobliser, its later models with the oval key with the Land Rover logo on it that have the chip and pick up system. The fob sends a signal to the alarm control ECU then the main ECU will disarm and allow the car to start.