Disco 4 stuck in Park

Phillipssam · Nov 14, 2019

Hello
I have an issue with my disco 4. I can get the engine to start but the gear selector will not turn from P. It rises up but will not turn. Brake pedal pushed and all brakes lights working. I have tried a hard reset (disconnecting negative battery lead for 20mins) and still the gear selector is locked in P. Can anyone shed any light on what the issue might be?! Many Thanks

Beneagles · Nov 14, 2019

I don't know anything about the possible causes, but I do know that I frequently Recover D4's that are stuck in park (along with many other automatics)

If you lift out the cup holders you should be able to access the emergency release mechanism - memory fails but it should most probably be a loop of tape that you pull, (I think there is a lock mechanism but that will turn with a coin) and this will at least enable you to move the vehicle. I assume that since the engine starts then the handbrake will at least operate as normal - costs a fortune if you have to break the actuator!!

Where to take it.....that's your next problem

kermit_rr · Nov 14, 2019

Does the D4 require your foot in the brake to move from park? Is the brake switch working?

When i first read the title I thought you were stuck IN the park!!

Phillipssam · Nov 14, 2019

kermit_rr said:
Does the D4 require your foot in the brake to move from park? Is the brake switch working?

When i first read the title I thought you were stuck IN the park!!

Yes it does read that way! How can I test the brake switch? The brakes work and the brake lights come on...is there a separate switch that unlocks the gear selector?

Phillipssam · Nov 14, 2019

Beneagles said:
I don't know anything about the possible causes, but I do know that I frequently Recover D4's that are stuck in park (along with many other automatics)
If you lift out the cup holders you should be able to access the emergency release mechanism - memory fails but it should most probably be a loop of tape that you pull, (I think there is a lock mechanism but that will turn with a coin) and this will at least enable you to move the vehicle. I assume that since the engine starts then the handbrake will at least operate as normal - costs a fortune if you have to break the actuator!!
Where to take it.....that's your next problem

Thanks - yes done that and the vehicle has been recovered to a garage....fingers crossed they can find the fault...

DiscoAmbivalent · Jan 31, 2020

Hey Phillipssam, You're referring to the LR4 as we call it here in the states correct? What year? I'm having the exact problem you are as of 3 days ago. My LR4 is stuck in the garage at the moment and I'd really hate to take it to a LR specialist let alone the stealership. Please post what was found and what was done if you will, much appreciated!

gstuart · Jan 31, 2020

DiscoAmbivalent said:
Hey Phillipssam, You're referring to the LR4 as we call it here in the states correct? What year? I'm having the exact problem you are as of 3 days ago. My LR4 is stuck in the garage at the moment and I'd really hate to take it to a LR specialist let alone the stealership. Please post what was found and what was done if you will, much appreciated!

hiya

if u post here to introduce yourself, Inc year , engine , etc of ur landy, assume u have a 8 x speed autobox

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/forum/introduce-yourself.20/

then here for ur technical question , more will see ur question

https://www.landyzone.co.uk/forum/land-rover-discovery.8/

hope that helps

ps, indeed LR4 is what the discovery 4 is called in the states

Phillipssam · Jan 31, 2020

Hello DiscoAmbivalent, I got it towed to a garage and they send it was the gear selector module. So they just swapped in a new one. Cost £500, only had the car 2 months, but luckily the warranty I got with the car, covered it...
Good luck

DanClarke · Jan 31, 2020

Good to know that LR quality is remaining consistent throughout the various generations of the Models/Marque.

lynall · Jan 31, 2020

Phillipssam said:
Hello
I have an issue with my disco 4. I can get the engine to start but the gear selector will not turn from P. It rises up but will not turn. Brake pedal pushed and all brakes lights working. I have tried a hard reset (disconnecting negative battery lead for 20mins) and still the gear selector is locked in P. Can anyone shed any light on what the issue might be?! Many Thanks

For future reference a hard reset is both battery leads off and joined together for a few seconds (not the battery but the leads themselves) this basically makes sure all capacitors in the car are totally discharged, so is like a reboot on your home computer.

DiscoAmbivalent · Jan 31, 2020

I found a fantastic write-up on a fix and possible repair for this issue.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-discovery-3-and-4-a/275343-8-speed-shift-lock-solenoid-problems.html

JerryD100 · Feb 15, 2021

I had this problem too - Disco 4 (c100k miles) - rotary gear selector rises fine but wouldn't shift - just stuck in Park. It's happened a couple of times but with a bit of wriggling it's always freed itself. However today it wouldn't shift at all. Tried all sorts of things just in case, and was about to give up but turned off the eco start/stop and then the dial rotated smooth as silk and car drives fine.

Took it to my local garage and they ran fault diagnosis - nothing came up at all. But, I did mention to them that the eco start/stop hasn't actually kicked in for at least a year. To be honest I hadn't been bothered about that and hadn't had it looked into - but the garage thinks that could be related to the brake light switch (brake lights come on, but I understand that doesn't necessarily mean that there isn't a problem). So they've ordered a new brake light switch and we'll see if this fixes a) the eco stop/start and b) the gear selector problem (or possibly c) neither!). I'll post an update in a day or so.

kermit_rr · Feb 15, 2021

Start stop won't work if the battery is in a poor state

Stanleysteamer · Feb 15, 2021

Brake switch does a lot more, in modern cars, than just put the brake lights on!
In any car with cruise control it switches that off for a start!!

discool · Feb 15, 2021

Can’t comment on the D4 auto, I've never owned one, but if I had I would look in the owners hand book as I did when my company’s Honda auto had an issue and simple key was supplied to trip a switch on top of the selector.

My present Jag XE hand book doesn’t say much to help if it happens, only:

If the rotary gear selector is obstructed, remove the obstruction and then start the engine. The gear selector should elevate.
If the rotary gear selector fails to elevate and there is no obstruction, a fault in the system is indicated. The gear selector can be used in the lowered position, but be aware that it will not automatically select P when the engine is switched off. Therefore, P should be selected manually. The fault should be rectified by a Dealer/Authorised Repairer at the earliest opportunity.

Of course most modern cars are fully dependant on this battery so that a good place to check first.

Disco4xs · May 4, 2021

JerryD100 said:
I had this problem too - Disco 4 (c100k miles) - rotary gear selector rises fine but wouldn't shift - just stuck in Park. It's happened a couple of times but with a bit of wriggling it's always freed itself. However today it wouldn't shift at all. Tried all sorts of things just in case, and was about to give up but turned off the eco start/stop and then the dial rotated smooth as silk and car drives fine.

Took it to my local garage and they ran fault diagnosis - nothing came up at all. But, I did mention to them that the eco start/stop hasn't actually kicked in for at least a year. To be honest I hadn't been bothered about that and hadn't had it looked into - but the garage thinks that could be related to the brake light switch (brake lights come on, but I understand that doesn't necessarily mean that there isn't a problem). So they've ordered a new brake light switch and we'll see if this fixes a) the eco stop/start and b) the gear selector problem (or possibly c) neither!). I'll post an update in a day or so.

Hi. Im having similar problem. (selector sticking in park) Did the new brake light switch fix it. Cheers

Disco 4 stuck in Park

Phillipssam

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Beneagles

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kermit_rr

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Phillipssam

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Phillipssam

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DiscoAmbivalent

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gstuart

D3 Grandad

Phillipssam

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DanClarke

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lynall

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DiscoAmbivalent

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JerryD100

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kermit_rr

Very

Stanleysteamer

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discool

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Disco4xs

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