Auto Gearbox Issues

I’m hoping someone can give me some thoughts/advice. I’ve got a 99 Disco V8 auto. It appears the gearbox has some sort of fault. When it’s cold it takes a lot for the car to pull away once warm it seems to behave except that going up a steep hill it struggles and the other day I was trying to pull a small caravan (1000kg max) onto a levelling ramp and I ended up having to put it into 1st with low range to get it to move.

Unfortunately at present I haven’t got access to workshop facilities so it looks like i’ll have to take it to a Garage but before I do has anyone got any ideas what sort of issue (and therefore cost) it’s likely to be. Also when in drive the D flashes on the dashboard.

Thanks in advance for the advice.

Sounds like TQ fault or very low fluid.

Perhaps a mixture of both..

Check the fluid level and colour

Hi,
I get a similar problem with my td5 auto Disco 2. I have a slight ATF leak and if I top it up, it goes away, for a long time. I know this is not a long term solution, but checking the level and topping up is something you could do at home, with a friend or family member to help.

My small leak turned into a river, was losing absolutely loads. Don’t leave it if you don’t have to, it’s made a real mess of my drive and probably everywhere else it went. Picked it up from the transmission shop this morning, driving much better and looks nice and dry. I’m probably lucky it doesnt appear to have done the gearbox any harm.

Check the fluid level definitely.

bigray said:

Also when in drive the D flashes on the dashboard.

Click to expand...

... that's a really bad news, your problem might not be with the gearbox but with other thing named BCU , anyway before you go further run a stall test and report the result

Adam D!, would you mind telling us where the leak came from, on the box?

Big ray, my understanding is that from cold the auto will not go past 3rd until warmed up and seems to be sluggish.
Have you checked oil level correctly?
Other tip from me,an old caravanner, on long uphill stretches keep the auto in 3rd. Better revs and will stop the box hunting.

It was a paper gasket on the transfer box side, exactly which one I’m not sure sorry!