Low range transfer issue please help

hi guys , I'm tearing my hair out

96 Manual p38

Been driving fine , put it in low range yesterday for the 1st time in quite a while , and it wouldn't come back in to high , the dreaded select neutral issue

I've cleaned the 2 pin plug thing , reading various threads, I removed the motor on the transfer box , it was a bit dry inside a bit of powdery stuff around, I've given it a clean and lube up , put it back on and it still won't work

Now it won't find any gears or get the light on or work on the hi/low range switch , unless I put a fuse in the empty top right transfer neutral slot , then it will drive and still in low range

Any ideas ??? My Range Rover guy who normally fixes is on holiday till next week I could really do with trying to fix it myself although I'm no mechanic

Appreciate any help

Sounds like you have put the motor back in the wrong position. Take the motor off select high range and then turn the selector shaft on the transfer box manually to the high position( anti clockwise I think but I'm not sure ) then refit the motor. I can check tomorrow if your stuck but turning it one way and driving it will tell you.

Ok thanks for the reply , how can I "select hi range " and then do it ? Or do I do that with it removed ?

When I tried to put the motor back , the pin was stuck in a way I could not get more back on so had to take motor apart move the middle hole so it lined up roughly then put it back together and got it back on

But I've never done anything like this before was just having a go

Will the high/low range selector work and turn without the attached ?

Also now as it is , it doesn't say low range anymore but it is on low

Luckily I only attached it via 1 bolt to just test it so quick to take it off again

Is there anything else i can do and try ?

I did find a post somewhere about a plastic ring on gear linkage breaking and replaced with a brass one fixed the issue for someone ?

Also seen things about XYZ switch ?

Yes there is a plastic bit on the gear linkage that can cause issues, mine would not select low, I ended up changing the switch in the selector when box was out and it still didn't work so pulled plug of switch and put a link wire in and all works now, try that when you have the motor set right.
xyz switch is for the auto boxes.

Ok thanks , how exactly do I do that link wite fix ?

Any inf on how to get the motor set right ? I'm going to try in morning but reallu don't know what I'm doing but I've got all day to try get it fixed

Also where is the gear linkage how do I check the ring ? I can't seem to find any pics or how to's

Is it under the gear stick gaiter in the console ?

The linkage is a box out job, so don't worry trying to fix it unless your spiral pins in the clutch arm go then you will be pulling it all out and that's the time to do the little plastic bit that is your problem
the link wire is just a short bit with two male spade connectors crimped on and then put into the connector for the neutral switch.

Ok got you , sorry for sounding like a novice , that's because i am but where is the connector ? Do you mean I just make a bridge short bit of wire a spade on each end and connect it ? Where exactly ? Is it on the round plug thing that's by the motor with the 2 spade connectors on ?

Also any info on how to get the motor lined up working properly ? I really have not got a clue how to do it a step by guide if possible would be super ?

Thank you

Take the motor off and put everything back to how it was, from memory there are alignment marks on the gears.plug the motor back in without fitting it and select high range on the dash. Manually turn the triangular shaft on the transfer box until high range is selected,if it's in low now then it should only turn in one direction.refit the motor. I believe that it is said you may need diagnostics to set the motor but I have never needed to.it is most important that the motor is reassembled correctly.

Right - without the motor on the shaft , I have no high/low button , it was same yesterday

I've moved the pin on shaft from
12, clockwise , pointing towards 3pm ,,

Im now in high range and it's driving

But says "select neutral" but now drives with and without the fuse in

But have no light on the high low button and no operation of it ? Although I'm happy I can drive it now , whilst I'm here I'd like to try get it fixed before doing it all right back up

The link wire goes in to the connector plug for the neutral switch which is in the selector housing on top of gear box, if you have the sound deadening panels round the gear box this will have to come off, no 18 top left image.

Ok got you thanks Brian , I don't really want to start removing the deadening just yet, but il keep that in mind

Any idea how I get the high low button back in operation from its current state ??

I've now got it in high and it drives
But it's saying select neutral when I turn the key,and no high low button

But I'm happy it's now driving

Sounds like the system is a bit confused as to were it is at , if it working ok now leave be till your spanner man is back.

Yes that's defo the case , I've had another fiddle with it but still the same

I think it needs calibrating so the motor pin slot and cog and the shaft etc are all in harmony and the ecu knows what's going on but at least I can drive it now

I took it to a 4x4 specialist today who plugged it in diagnostics but couldn't read much said because it's an earlier model

They said they can fix it next week ,or myself

He said to try connect to a 12v battery let it spin then re fit it

Where exactly do I connect it ? Is it worth me trying ?