I have been having issues with my 1996 Range Rover...sometimes it would start and other times it would not. I just noticed the key remote does not work must be the battery, can that be the cause of it not starting?

 

I've been told the key fob has to work to communicate with becm to deactivate the passive immobilization system

 

Does it give you an alarm fault or engine immobilized message? If not, it could be the ignition barrel but is likely to be a relay or loose contact.

I've been using mine without a working key fob for 2 years or so. The key does communicate with the becm though. When you insert and turn the key in the ignition barrel, a chip is energized and sends a message to the becm that it is ok to start.

 

2nd that! My 1999 RR key fob will not wirelessly unlock or lock the doors, but it will crank the truck just fine. I dont know if it's just a dead battery or what, I havnt ever replaced it. It wasnt working when I bought the truck and I never lock my doors so it's no use to me.

 

Its pretty easy to re-sync them after a dead battery. Go buy some replacement batteries, you'll need to google the ones you need but, most stores should stock it.

After you've installed the new battery, stick the key in the door. Turn it to the lock position and hold it there while pressing the lock button for about 2 seconds. Turn it to the unlock position and push the un-lock button. That syncs mine up anyways...

I haven't fixed it because both front door lock actuators have failed, so I kinda need to use the key anyways, and I've been too lazy to fix them lol.