Autobox stuck in "Drive"

My 99 Disco Auto TD5 keeps getting stuck in drive now on a daily basis. However, sometimes when I switch off the ignition pull out the key, open and shut the drivers door it then seems to clear the fault. The garage which does all my servicing/repairs has suggested the gearbox sensor needs changing, as its not recognising which gear the vehicle should be in? I have been quoted £300-£400 to do the job. Your views please would be appreciated.#
Steve

apexblue said:

My 99 Disco Auto TD5 keeps getting stuck in drive now on a daily basis. However, sometimes when I switch off the ignition pull out the key, open and shut the drivers door it then seems to clear the fault. The garage which does all my servicing/repairs has suggested the gearbox sensor needs changing, as its not recognising which gear the vehicle should be in? I have been quoted £300-£400 to do the job. Your views please would be appreciated.#
Steve

Click to expand...

Hi Steve, when you say "keeps getting stuck in drive now on a daily basis" do you mean the actual gear lever, or the readout on the dashboard?

Dave

Hi Dave,
To clarify, basically what happens is the gearbox will only go in reverse or drive when the 2 flashing lights appear on the dashboard. In other words, the vehicle will only run in the highest gear which i presume is 3rd, so when i pull away it is very sluggish indeed and wont go through the low gears and build up into the top gear. However, when i turn off the engine leaving for a few minutes it seems to clear the fault but I can put the lever into ALL gears but it remains in the highest gear all the time and does not change up or down. Is this the gearbox sensor and if so, is the price of £300-£400 reasonable?
Thanks
Steve

apexblue said:

Hi Dave,
To clarify, basically what happens is the gearbox will only go in reverse or drive when the 2 flashing lights appear on the dashboard. In other words, the vehicle will only run in the highest gear which i presume is 3rd, so when i pull away it is very sluggish indeed and wont go through the low gears and build up into the top gear. However, when i turn off the engine leaving for a few minutes it seems to clear the fault but I can put the lever into ALL gears but it remains in the highest gear all the time and does not change up or down. Is this the gearbox sensor and if so, is the price of £300-£400 reasonable?
Thanks
Steve

Click to expand...

Hi Steve, first of all a bit of background.

The autobox has 4 forward and one reverse gear and is electronically controlled and linked to the engine ECU.

It has a switch on the side of the gearbox - often referred to as the XYZ switch which relays gear selector positions. This switch has an electrical connector to branch to the main loom.

With the S & M lights flashing this indicates a fault and the gearbox and engine go into "limp home" mode - which means the gearbox will only operate in 3rd gear forward and reverse. The engine also operates on a lower level of performance.

This state can and often is caused by one or more of the following:

1. Less than optimum battery condition. The car may well start ok but unless a pause occurs after engine start & before trying to select any gears, there is insufficient 'juice' to correctly power the transmission ECU.

To do a non- definitive test: start the engine, leave ticking over whilst you put your seatbelt on and prepare yourself for the road, then select a gear.

If the S & M dashboard lights DO NOT illuminate, there is every chance the problem is battery related. Even if they do light up, put the battery on charge for as long as you can manage - overnight at least.

If that doesn't cure it move onto No. 2

2. On the side of the gearbox is the XYZ switch and it's plug and socket connector. Part these two, spray them with electrical contact cleaner, leave to dry and put back together.

Problem solved? No? Move onto No.3.

3. Replace the XYZ switch - this is an easy job for the diy-er but the switch itself costs approx £350-400

So as you can see, it really is worth trying 1 & 2 BEFORE spending a large amount of dosh that may not be necessary.

Good luck

Dave

Ok I had a fault on mine recently after checking fault code it came clear it was xyz switch priced it up with landrover £320 plus vat but managed to find a company who would supply on new for £125 Inc vat Iv changed it and not had any problems took me 30 mins if you want company's name just drop me a private message