Land Rover Repair: freelander starting problem, uk models, autologic

Question
hi there i have a 1998 1.8 freelander and im having problems starting it when i turn the key the dash illuminates as normal but the starter motor doesnt kick in if i try three or four times it eventually starts any idea what the problem is,thanks

Answer
We did not see the Freelander in North American until 2002, and we never saw the 1.8 motor.  I will defer on this question in favor of someone in the UK.

I have only this to offer . . . in the USA, your symptoms might well point to a problem with the immobilizer.  The only way to check that would be via the specialist LR test system - the Autologic or T4.  If you were here in the USA that would be my first move.

However, that being said, I am not sure if that system is used in 1998 UK models.