This may well be a typical FL2 thing... but really noticible now it's getting into winter down here and headed to work while still dark in the mornings - get into car, interior lights still on, key in and push start button.... and while the starter motor is going all the interior lights (roof lights and footwell lights) flash like i'm back in a seedy Southampton club back in the early 2000's.

Sure it only lasts for a second or 2, but throws off the whole high-end feel of getting in and starting her. Something wrong here (battery starting to reach end of life) or is that just the Freelander way and i should get used to it?

It’s not a rear door latch issue is it? If the rear door is not properly shut on mine, the interior lights stay on until you get back out and shut it, could a poor connection/faulty sensor do what you are experiencing? 2005 D3 2.7 Auto
Previously:
2010 MY FL2 TD4e GS - Now gone at 199,500 miles, about 135,000 of them mine.
‘93 Defender 110 200TDi CSW
‘87 Defender 90 4 cyl Petrol
‘83 110 CSW V8 - best ever!
Range Rover 2-door V8 (not sure of year - 4-speed box and vacuum diff switch)
Series III SWB Diesel

Grue wrote:

Something wrong here (battery starting to reach end of life) or is that just the Freelander way and i should get used to it?

Both...
When the starter is turning, there are moments of high current draw because of the engine compression that needs to be overcame and those, for a battery on its way out, mean voltage drops - hence the flashing.

Nothing should be flashing if all is well. My interior light only flashes when a tail gate door catch is not fully home.

Why would anyone push a old battery into a up coming Winter on one of these. Net result is its going to give you grief and from my own experience with another vehicle the knock on effect can become very expensive as the alternator blew trying to cope. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Thanks guys. Will get on it!

New battery - car was frozen over this morning and started much nicer than the old battery so glad i replaced her!

But still getting the flashy flashy. Either this is the norm or next will be checking earth connection/extra earth strap. Hoping not starter motor.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/fHLmxAiYzB8

These are strange cars at times, mine has just started doing the double ping routine on using the key fob for no apparent reason. Anyone know what kicks that off as it’s been mentioned before. Will do a search. FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Update - extra earth cable installed. Starts better, but still flashes

Do you have led bulbs??
Because if you do, those have a voltage regulator inside and maybe the cranking drops in main voltage upset somehow the regulator.
Try with normal bulbs and see if it's the same.

Voltage regulator in the alternator playing up? Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

When cranking, I believe that the alternator is not functioning....

Ding ding ding. I think we have a winner!

Cheers Alex. Much appriciated. Now to decide between the lesser of two evils... ordinary bulbs VS flashing...