My key fobs have been struggling to open the doors for a while now, and starting has been getting difficult. I have changed the battery in one of the fobs and this now opens the doors fine but the starting is still a problem. It can take 10 mins of trying before it starts. When trying to start I get a click I assume from a relay. Would I get this if it was an issue with the fob or should I be looking at more traditional problems such as battery, earths, starter etc. the ignition comes on ok, would this happen if there was a fault with the fob.

Thanks in advance

Steve

You have a problem with something other than the fob - if the ignition comes on OK then it's not the fob. It sounds like either the starter solenoid or possibly the starter motor itself (although a wiring problem can't be ruled out). Less likely to be the battery if the car eventually turns over properly, but worth getting it checked.

Does your Freelander have the Stop/Start system?

That's what I suspected pab. Thanks

It doesn't have stop start it is a 57 plate.

Steve

Sorry for the late reply but I have not been on here for a while, my 08 had a similar problem when I pushed the button all I got was a click but being as old as I am and having had the same problem on cars years ago I realised it was the solenoid on the starter and a GENTLE tap with a hammer on the solenoid started the car most every time.
If you are still having the problem locate the starter motor on the front of the engine and as I said before give it a gentle tap with a hammer better still use a heavy bit of wood to avoid cracking the starter casing but eventually it may mean a new start if this is indeed the same problem I had.

There was a thread about this last week I think. Basically the copper contacts in the solenoid burn out and need replacing. You can buy the kit from eBay for about a tenner. I have done a few starter motors with these kits and they work fine. John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

Thanks for the help everyone. It turned out just to be bad connections. I slackened off all the connections to the battery without disconnecting them as I don't have the radio code. I then gave them a good waggle and retightened them and it's been fine since. Just shows we mustn't overlook the simple things.

Thanks

Steve

There is no radio code for a Freelander so you can safely disconnect and reconnect the battery.

That's good to know, thanks.

JST wrote:

There was a thread about this last week I think. Basically the copper contacts in the solenoid burn out and need replacing. You can buy the kit from eBay for about a tenner. I have done a few starter motors with these kits and they work fine.

true

I had the same problem when I had my 08 plate, the garage eventually found the fault after weeks testing various things to be the starter solenoid.