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I know this is an old post but I think I have the solution to this and I keep reading people still have problems! I had the same trouble, thought it was a flat battery, opened my drivers door with a key and when I tried the ignition, lots of different problems.
I found it was water/corrosion in the grey fuse box under the steering column.
I stuck a few photos of the corrosion and how to do it on : Land Rover V8 Discovery Faults
Don't know if this will help, but your problem reminded me of something I read in the owners handbook of my D2. In a nutshell, it explains locking with the remote handset, or, with the key. No drama there.However, UNLOCKING with the key ; " while the doors can be unlocked using the key [after locked by remote] this method is NOT RECOMMENDED, depending on the specs of the vehicle the alarm may not be disarmed." It then goes on - " NOTE - IF THE HANDSET DOES NOT OPERATE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR A LONG PERIOD, UNLOCK THE DRIVERS DOOR WITH THE KEY, @ TRY AGAIN. IF THE HANDSET STILL FAILS TO OPERATE ENTER THE EKA CODE USING THE PROCEDURE SHOWN LATER IN THE BOOK. The EKA code [emergency key access code] is on the security card supplied with the literature pack of your vehicle when new. I don;t claim to be an expert, but hope this helps, Bob