P38 Diagnostics

Hi guys, oops, and girls. My name is Mike, the Fred Dibna of Wales. Fanatical Range Rover owner. Going to buy diagnostic equipment for my P38, but bewildered as to which is best, Essential the equipment will diagnose the stupid auto box set up. If someone knows how to remove all the electronics would be a plus. So not needed all that crap. Anyway whats the verdict ,is Lynx any good, Hawkeye ,or whatever. Lets hear the view points please

ranger1942 said:

Hi guys, oops, and girls. My name is Mike, the Fred Dibna of Wales. Fanatical Range Rover owner. Going to buy diagnostic equipment for my P38, but bewildered as to which is best, Essential the equipment will diagnose the stupid auto box set up. If someone knows how to remove all the electronics would be a plus. So not needed all that crap. Anyway whats the verdict ,is Lynx any good, Hawkeye ,or whatever. Lets hear the view points please

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Nanocom or if you are rich, Faultmate are the best, both from Blackbox solutions.
How you going to get rid of the electronics on a box where the shifts are effected by solenoids? In any case the auto box ECU is one of the few really reliable bits on a P38, if your box has problems it's more likely due to old oil and sticking solenoids or worn clutches.
The auto box set up is actually very good, better than the old non electronic ZF4HP22.

I've got 3 other Rangies with the 4 speed non electronic box, wonderfully trouble free transmission, superb changes, would prefer my P38 to have those type of box. But we all have different views I suppose LOL

ranger1942 said:

I've got 3 other Rangies with the 4 speed non electronic box, wonderfully trouble free transmission, superb changes, would prefer my P38 to have those type of box. But we all have different views I suppose LOL

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The box is the same, only the control is different. In the P38 the ZF4HP22e is pretty trouble free with oil changes at the recomended 24K mile intervals. Chipped diesels take them over the torque limit which shortens the life, but that would be the same with the non electronic version.
Originally the box was described as sealed for life I think, when life turned out to be not very long the regular oil change was introduced.
I don't know what the torque is on your other rangies, but on the P38 they should have used the HP24, the 22 is too near the limit.
What's the problem with your box?

I had the electronic high low unit stick in neutral after using low range, so had no gears. Took it off free'd it, now dash continually says Select Neutral, console lights flash on and off, and no low Range. Put Hawkeye on , no faults apparently ??. Changed ECU for my spare one ,still same. And box is not changing at correct speed, hanging on to long ??

ranger1942 said:

I had the electronic high low unit stick in neutral after using low range, so had no gears. Took it off free'd it, now dash continually says Select Neutral, console lights flash on and off, and no low Range. Put Hawkeye on , no faults apparently ??. Changed ECU for my spare one ,still same. And box is not changing at correct speed, hanging on to long ??

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Will not be the auto box ECU, more likely transfer box ECU failure. Transfer box ECU is under the passenger seat assuming RHD, check for burning smells. If Lo range has not been used for a long time, it's common for the motor to seize, that burns the drive transistors in the transfer box ECU, this will cause shift problems with the auto box.
If you have had the motor off, it has to be put back with the internal switch position mechanism correctly synchronised to the box.
Mechanical Hi/Lo selection would be preferable IMO.
You will get more help if this is moved to the Range Rover section

I did wonder if the motor was in the correct position when put back, I will have to take it back off and reposition it. No smell from any of the ECU's. I got a couple of spare ones, even a spare car which functions properly. There is a guy who has converted one back to non electronic, but I didn't file his details unfortunately

ranger1942 said:

I did wonder if the motor was in the correct position when put back, I will have to take it back off and reposition it. No smell from any of the ECU's. I got a couple of spare ones, even a spare car which functions properly. There is a guy who has converted one back to non electronic, but I didn't file his details unfortunately

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For details check RAVE and/or do a search.

Hello and welcome
Mike

Hi folks, greetings from Wales. I have been trying to make a decision on purchasing diagnostic equipment for the P38 Models I own a 95 and a 96. I considered the Lynx, but am told by the supplier its dedicated to the vin code, so I would have to buy an extra unlock for my other P38, and I couldn't interrogate any of my friends P38's ???? I looked at Hawkeye, but preferred more than it would do. Looked at BB Evolution and thought yes this is the one, then read the reviews LOL , so many unhappy buyers. Other makers made claims but were found to to be wanting and vague about what their equipment would do. Have to hope at the moment my vehicles stay trouble free LOL