Freelander 1 Immobiliser : engine can be started from the starter

Thanks for viewing on the glorious, sunny, Saturday morning (it's raining and grey here in Somerset)

I've utilised the search function but didn't come up with the question I wanted answering.

What, other that a fob fault, could cause an immobiliser to fail? Are the parts for repair readily available and cheap?

The vehicle in question can be started directly at the starter. But the alarm cuts out the fuel pump soon after.

Any help would be appreciated to save this one from being stripped for parts (I like the colour and wheels)

It's not mine by the way so I won't have answers to all of your questions.

What happens if you unlock with key ?

Hi, I'm not sure. As far as I know they can't start it with the key. Not sure about unlocking. I'll ask.

What year is helpful too.

1999

So apparently the lock is out!

The guy hasn't tried changing the battery in the fob. Bought it like this and hasn't done anything with it.

wolflore said:

So apparently the lock is out!

The guy hasn't tried changing the battery in the fob. Bought it like this and hasn't done anything with it.

Click to expand...

What do you mean by the lock is out?

The current owners words we're:

"Nothing at all mate could just of been a battery but someone f***ed with it took the door lock out I can start it but when alarm kicks in it cuts out"

So it sounds like the fob isn't being recognised by the immobilizer ECU. But with so little information, that's just a wild guess.

An appreciated wild guess though.

Assuming the alarm system isn't just doing its job (and the car is 'hot'), maybe they lost the keys and got a replacement - but of course the key (as Nodge says the fob on a '99) isn't recognised by the CCU. Could be the fob battery, could be the coil picking up the transponder, could be all sorts of things.

TBH without knowing the history, it will be a difficult job diagnosing the problem even if you have the car with you. Without the car there its almost impossible.

Ta folks