P38 Select Neutral Message

Just bought another P38 2.5DT after a gap of four years and got it cheap because of non-selection of Low Ratio in the Transfer Box. Had the same fault with the first one with display reading 'Select Neutral' and it was the neutral switch on the gearchange stuck. However, on this one I have removed the plug and bridged the connections but still reads 'Select Neutral'.
The light in the Hi/Lo switch does not illuminate or flash at all but a fuse in position 11 does bring up the Transfer Box Neutral message so it seems to be working at least partially.
Have checked previous threads but can't see anything that helps as most refer to the switch.

Any ideas gratefully received.

could be the motor, not uncommon if its not been used for ages, they do tend to sieze.

Thanks clutchdust I'll check it out but would that give me the 'Select Neutral' message and the lack of a light on the switch?

It could do, I've also had the transfer box ecu cause problems like you describe too.

Having the same problem with the 1995 DSE that I just bought. I took the Transfer Box ECU out and removed the bottom plate. There's black sooty marks in one corner of the PCB. Now trying to source another ECU.
There's a lot of different part numbers. The one fitted to mine is ERR5882.
geoff

ive same problem with my 1997 p38 2.5 DT manual.the low switch on the dash illuminates.it flashes, but on display says select neutral ive only just notuced it though and aint got a clue how to fix it can anybody help me and Tradetalk??

cheers

shane

I had a very helpful reply from David Sparkes in Land Rover Addict forum:

"With a car that is new to you this could be 'anything'.
The biggies are a failed ECU or a failed position switch in the change motor that is not giving a good signal to the ECU.
Which you attack first is up to you.
Either remove the ECU from beneath the LH front seat (push the seat forward and access from the rear footwell).
Open the ECU and be sensitive for the smell of burning electricals as the lid comes off. If burnt, it will probably be the output stage, so the relatively large electronic componants clamped to the case. One of them will be black. There were 'many' revisions, with different part numbers, while they updated the electronics.

Alternatively go under the car with a torch, look for damaged wiring to the motor (near the handbrake backplate), or pulled connections. If these are OK, identify the thick wires in the plug and apply 12 volts. If the motor is at one end of it's travel there will be no movement and a 'big' flash. Reverse the 12 volts and the motor will move to the other position, when it stops you will get another big flash as you disconnect the 12 volts.
There is no limit switch within the motor, so don't leave 12 volts on after movement has stopped.

You can hear motor movement, so will know if the motor is seized.
Assuming the motor will move and select the other gear then the problem is probably the position switch.

I suggest you remove from the car to test.
The switch is a separate componant, but part of the motor assembly. It is not available as a separate item, so you either break into it and repair, or buy a replacement motor.
I have successfully broken into and repaired this switch, so it is possible, but a lot is down to your dexterity, so no instructions, you make your own assessment.
You will need the wiring diagram (RAVE Disc / ETM).

You 'cannot' drive the vehicle with the motor removed, as there's a damn great hole into the transfer box.

HTH"

I'm sure he wont mind me quoting his reply
geoff

Hi I had smoke coming from under passenger seat. The ECU 5882 searing hot. Vehicle went into low gearing by its self at the same time. The ERR5882 ECU is knackered. I understand the replacement part number is AMR6460 for a manual. Anyone know what causes this as I was driving ordinarily up a hill when the car filled with smoke and the Hi-Lo warning light permanentally lit on the dash. Inially I thought the brakes were jamming as this is what it felt like. I now realise this was the low gearing in operation.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated, anyone selling a AMR6460 please leave message.

Hello everyone.A newbie here.

My RR had this same issue for a while.The problem turned out to be the plastic ring that is wrapped around the linkage which triggers the switch when in neutral position.It broke off the linkage.Had it replaced with a brass ring and I am able to switch to Lo Range once again.I hope this helps.

right i had this select neutral fault the other day tried everything , checked all ECU'S all fine motor sounds like its engaging but strangely lost clicking sounds from indicators and hazzards , but if i took key out of ignition the hazzards made the clicking noise whilst flashing , very odd , anyway i was stuck in low range , no sport or manual available and i had no high range gears and would crunch if tried to put into park , keeps saying select neutral and the selector lights will not settle they just flash and stuck in low range , well i went underneath the rangey and on the side of transfer box right next to motor there is a round switch with 2 prongs on it with 2 seperate cables one connected to each prong , it was filthy oily, so i took off one crimped cable at a time - sprayed with WD40 cleaned up contacts on switch and crimp -- same again with other cable , and hey presto , all fixed straight into high range no problem , sport mode and manual mode worked also strangely i got the clicking noises back on the hazzards and indicators , i hope this helps someone who gets same fault , i am not sure if the switch i cleaned is the neutral switch mentioned in another post ,

Same problem as rangey 666 but this morning it started to say gear box over heat when I started it up and then went away. After reading some of the forums somone with a bad battery was getting random faults like me..i am going to check on that first

also i did not know at the time but you need a key to install the gear selector switch...well i removed it to check it out and then when putting it back in i did not know this about lining things up. so now I feel like I have two spots for revers but only the forward one works and I dont have 1st gear but it goes right into drive should I stopp driving her. How does the gear selection lever work in this tranny?

Hi guys I'm having same issue with range rover P38 2.5 diesel, the lights flash on the auto gear surround and the warning message says select neutral, did anyone find a definite answer for this problem, car drives fine with no issues.

Bit of an old thread revival, and I haven’t read it to be honest.
But have you tried to select the other side of the box? And now have the message. other side I mean through the “H” gate?

J

Not sure how it works on an auto. Thought it was across the gate like ^^^ says,
with manual transmission I have a button on centre console and lights on dash. If it doesn’t engage I can find the ‘sweet spot’ with gearstick and itl go.

@Henry_b will know for sure

Minky111 said:

Hi guys I'm having same issue with range rover P38 2.5 diesel, the lights flash on the auto gear surround and the warning message says select neutral, did anyone find a definite answer for this problem, car drives fine with no issues.

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The range select motor on the transfer box may have got stuck out of position or it could be the connectors, You could try selecting low range by shifting the gear lever across the gate in neutral, however, if the motor as seized you could end up with no drive
In the absence of diagnostics, I would start by getting under the car and checking the connectors.

RAVE has the pin out voltages for each position so you can test it.

I have select to neutral on my dash and the gearbox lights are flashing all the time any ideas

If it's not low battery voltage, check for damp in the carpet underlay in the RH footwell. Have you tried moving the lever into low range?

Yes the carpet is damp.someone has taken a screw out of the windscreen plenim.how does the

Doolinjames said:

I have select to neutral on my dash and the gearbox lights are flashing all the time any ideas

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Datatek said:

If it's not low battery voltage, check for damp in the carpet underlay in the RH footwell. Have you tried moving the lever into low range?

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Datatek said:

If it's not low battery voltage, check for damp in the carpet underlay in the RH footwell. Have you tried moving the lever into low range?

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What item does the damp affect.i have a windscreen plenim screw missing water penatration the one on the drivers side is half screwed out as well.