Freelander 1 One key fob not working

Hi all,
I just got my first freelander last night and having and issue with one of the key fobs. I've read a few other threads but it didnt draw me to a conclusion.
I've got two key fobs, one fob that is working which looks well worn and the other that isn't working that looks suspiciously new.

I've tried new battery, and did the drain thing of holding each button for 5 seconds with the battery removed.
I've tried unlocking drivers door with key and then pressing either button 5 times quickly.
I've tried putting the key in the ignition mark 2 and that didn't work.
I've tried unlocking and locking the car with the key then alternating the fob buttons.
I've also checked the contacts on the battery compartment within the fob but it all looks fine.

Interestingly key and broken fob combo can start the car no problem which I believe indicates the immobiliser is syncing with the broken key fob.
Anyone got any ideas? If I need to take it to land rover to get them to sync it that's fine but just want to check I can't fix it myself first.

What year is the car? If it's after 2000 with a tear drop shaped key. Then the key has the immobilized transponder inside it. It's the transponder that is responsible for immobilizer function. The remote fob simply locks and unlocks the doors. The alarm is also set and unset at the same time.
Can you not take the good working fob circuit board out of the working fob and fit it into the good case of the duff fob. Then you'll have a good condition fob that works.
You can then order a replacement fob at your leisure from LR. LR will need to program the car to take the few fob.

Great idea about swapping over the guts of the working one with the newer case! Thanks for explaining it's the key disabling the immobilizer and not the fob, I didn't realise this.

The Freelander is 2002. Both fobs look like this:
Thanks for the info, is it only LR themselves that can program the fobs? Just asking because I've seen some on Ebay for sale.

I just found this web page: http://www.keylessremotewarehouse.com/display_programming.htm?id=1748

Think it's worth a shot?

lewis.landy said:

I just found this web page: http://www.keylessremotewarehouse.com/display_programming.htm?id=1748

Think it's worth a shot?

Click to expand...

That's interesting. I've not heard of it before, but it makes sence - ie you don't want anyone to be able to program in a new remote - but if you have one that's programmed in already, then that's authorisation for adding another.

I'd be a bit worried about ending up with no programmed fobs - but worth a go. Might be worth checking if this is mentioned in the Rave workshop manual first off. For info on downloading the manual see the following link. Its worth downloading even if you don't use it in this instance!

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/rave-disk-maintenance-manual.260227/

It may be that the new looking fob is faulty. They are very prone to the battery clips breaking their solder connection and failing. I'm not sure whether you can actually check to see if they are working - eg is there a beep if an uncoded fob is used (ie its working but not programmed) when no beep means there's simply no signal!

I would be very cautious about trying to swap the internals over - if you happen to break something, you'll be knackered as you won't have any access - and as I say, there are some fragile components in there.

As an aside, welcome to Freelander ownership I hope the car behaves for you, mine's been a very loyal servant and performs great. Please though do yourself a favour and read this thread, it may just save you a lot of money if you are not familiar with some very quirky ways in which the Freelander transmissions works (and can easily be broken!)....

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/

I had a Mondeo many moons ago and I end up with one not working after trying to reprogram them both

Thanks for the links. I tried doing the procedure but couldn't get the car into learn mode. I did manage to get the alarm to go off so called it quits after that.

I swapped over the guts of the old fob with the new fob and it's working still so think I'll leave it there for now. I'm not as fussed about having two working fobs now i know the transponder is in the keys.