Unable to select low range

Just out of curiosity I tried selecting low range the other day just to see if it would work, it didn't.

I've just bought a 96 4.6 HSE so I'm still explorering stuff, like finding out low gears don't work.....this is what happened, or rather didn't happen....

The engine was running but the car stationary, I moved the lever across the H gate, it's an auto, to low range Neutral, all the low range selector lights flashed red, so as the manual says I waited, and waited but still no change. I must have left it in Neutral for 20 seconds or so, maybe 30. I decided to try selecting a gear....nothing except the computer display in the binacle displayed "Select Neutral"....all red gear selector lights continued to flash.

I tried once more but no change.

Do I have a mechanical gearbox fault or is it electrical gremlins? Anyone else had the same fault?

the reason it said "select neutral" is because the ecu hasn't got conformation of a completed range change, i.e it hasn't changed to low and is still waiting for it to do so.

normally what can happen is, because these things rarely go off road the high/low motor can seize due to lack of use, you'll need to get the wiring and ecu checked out to confirm this.

The motor is easy enough to strip out and clean.You can pull the plug to the motor and put 12v to it to see if its the motor at fault or the ECU/wiring.
If you put 12v direct to the motor make sure you have a 5 amp fuse in line.combined with a little persation (sharp tap with a peice of wood)
A fuse in position 11 will select transfer neutral,but if it doesnt return you will have to strip out the motor before you can drive the car again.