P38A Manual gearbox selector issue

Wow, nearly two years since I last had reason to post a 'help' request, is that a record for a P38 owner?

P38 Diesel Manual running fine all day, towing horse trailer and general running around, suddenly lost 3rd-5th + reverse, only have gear lever travel between 1st and 2nd, won't go any further to the right. NO overtemp warnings on dash for gearbox or transfer box. Did think selector pin but then wouldn't have 1st and 2nd either. Diving underneath revealed broken wire on transfer box temp sender (hence no warning) but no other obvious damage. If the transfer box had overheated would it affect gear selection? All ideas gratefully received (except the one that involves a box of matches, lol)

Different car and different gearbox, but when I lost 2nd and 3rd on the LT77 box in my TVR, it turned out to be the bushes connecting the remote housing to the main gearbox.

TVRConvert said:

Different car and different gearbox, but when I lost 2nd and 3rd on the LT77 box in my TVR, it turned out to be the bushes connecting the remote housing to the main gearbox.

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Thanks, r380 is a development from LT77 so it's a possibility

I would guess it is the selector box on top of the gearbox. I think 5th gear is separate on its own shaft so cannot imagine why it would fail as well. @jamesmartin would know for sure.

I've got a spare selector box in my shed where I lost 5th and reverse. I was meaning to take it apart and overhaul it for when this one goes but I couldn't get it apart initially and then I had other more urgent issues.

all gears are done through the 1 selector rail, id remove top and have a look could be one of the detents/ bias adjuster jammed ,

Just to be clear, I was referring to the shafts in the gearbox, not the selector mechanism!

so was i theres 1 of each

jamesmartin said:

so was i theres 1 of each

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I'll have a look one day when it finally goes bang!

Just had a look in RAVE. It really is rather clever. 5th and reverse are in the extension housing with a separate fork. That's where my confusion came in. It does look rather like a 4 speed box that has been extended!

There are four different types of gear change selector mechanism fitted to the manual gearbox, types A-D. Identify which type you have, information is in Rave,manual gearbox introduction. You may be lucky that something has come adrift and is accessable for repair. If you have to take the box out then make sure you replace the clutch release arm pins (FTC1692) and check the condition of/replace the clutch.

+1 on the roll pins if you take the box out replace them, I just had my box out all because mine went and it was double pinned, it`s now triple pinned, and did clutch as well, silly not while its out.

tomcat59alan said:

There are four different types of gear change selector mechanism fitted to the manual gearbox, types A-D. Identify which type you have, information is in Rave,manual gearbox introduction. You may be lucky that something has come adrift and is accessable for repair. If you have to take the box out then make sure you replace the clutch release arm pins (FTC1692) and check the condition of/replace the clutch.

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Thanks tomcat, although there are 4 types of selector for r380's only remote Type A was fitted to P38's, the other remote Type C was used on Rover SD1 saloons and Morgans amongst others, B and D are shorter, non-remote types.

kernowdragon said:

Thanks tomcat, although there are 4 types of selector for r380's only remote Type A was fitted to P38's, the other remote Type C was used on Rover SD1 saloons and Morgans amongst others, B and D are shorter, non-remote types.

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That rings a bell. I remember there was only 1 but couldn't remember which one. A it is. IIRC none of the overhaul images in RAVE matched what I was looking at.

type A is defender early rrc,long stick,
B discovery /rrc ,short stick
C car type
D P38

Oooo. Now there's confusion! James says D and the Dragon says A.

My money is on James.

kernowdragon said:

Thanks tomcat, although there are 4 types of selector for r380's only remote Type A was fitted to P38's, the other remote Type C was used on Rover SD1 saloons and Morgans amongst others, B and D are shorter, non-remote types.

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No, type D fitted to my 38. Clarification from James state what the other type were fitted to, bit confusing as Rave include all types.

Unless it's a misprint, r380 overhaul manual calls it type A

kernowdragon said:

Unless it's a misprint, r380 overhaul manual calls it type A

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Have a look on Rave, definatly type D. They are a non serviceable item(so they say) and expensive(£100 second hand), time for the box out I'm afraid.

James thinks you can change the detents. You can certainly buy them. I couldn't get the damn thing apart. Can take some photos if that would help?

Grrrrrr said:

James thinks you can change the detents. You can certainly buy them. I couldn't get the damn thing apart. Can take some photos if that would help?

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From memory the detents are in the box.