can brake bands be replaced with out removing and stripping the gearbox or can they be done with it in?
If you think that this is the problem then I did one in place, but don't know if your gearbox is the same.
This is how I did my last one.
Take the sump off, after draining the oil and saving it in a clean container, if you want you can filter it before refitting it with a paint sprayers paint filter.
Check the linkage inside the sump and that it is moving the plunger through all the gears first.
Look for the broken band.
The valve chest probably will be in the way and it looks like a massive task to get it off, but it's not. All the pipes are held in with tension, take a photo of them then pull them all off, unbolt the valve chest and carefully remove it.
Make sure everything you use is clean, a nice sheet of carboard to lay everything on.
Unbolt the band and remove the adjusting bolt, pry it open and slip it off, its "C" shaped and the adjusting bolt clamps the open part of the "C".
Best to get a manual on one to guide you, but it's not rocket science.
When you refit it all and start it, dont rev it up let it idle for a few minutes or you risk burning a clutch.
Hope this helps you, mine was a rover borg warner but can't remember the model, and it might be different from yours but look at the manual and see if you can identify the parts I described.
Don't you know an auto specialist to bounce this theory off, they are not usually very helpful on the phone but if you go in person then I have found them ok. There is a series of pressure tests you do to diagnose faults but it's a garage job.
Hate to think it's a relay or sumut, but would have thought a fault code would have been logged.
Ask on here for the down load for that vehicles manual, sure somebody has it.
