your wisdom required please

Chaps it has been a while since my last visit as i tried another brand of car, i should have known better as i could not wait to get back behind the wheel of a trusty p38. the car i have bought is a 2000 4.0l se auto on gas . this will be my new project, and when i work out how to put pictures on here i will try an update my project. its not a major project just a tidy up then add some extras. it does have a few problems though, most i can do easily, but there are 4 points i would be keen to get some advise.

1. The computer constantly tells me that the 'gearbox overheat' this happens straight after start up when cold, and stays there. The bloke i bought the car from drove this for hours like this and as it says it on start up i am sure it is not hot, so i have been driving it. he said it has been filled up with too much oil, i assume he means auto transmission fluid, or do they have a separate oil system as well. when cold at idle in neutral i check the trans fluid and it looks like it has twice as much fluid in it, would this be the cause?

2. The computer tells me the bonnet is open, which it is not. how can this be fixed?

3. when throttling up i get a rattle, it sounds like a big end rattle i used to get in my old capri. but when at speed and not throttling up the engine is whisper quite or at idle it is silent, could this be sonething else?

4. there is a whurr when driving. i have just changed the oil in both diffs, both needed it, can any point in the right direction.

Chaps i am not after diagnostics really just if any of you have had the same symptoms or if these are common faults

It may sound like a lot, but the body and interior is really nice, and can't wait ot fix the above problems so i can concentrate on the modifications.

Many thanks

HAD the same gearbox problem on mine turned out it was the temp sensor which is on the passenger side of the rad changed it been fine since.
hope this helps

cheers mate i will try that

Most likely sensor as described above. The gearbox level should be checked with the engine running with the selector in Park after working it through the gears whilst at standstill. If you checked it without the engine running it will seem to be overfilled.
The bonnet being open warning is caused by a dodgy switch that is activated by one of the bonnet catches, I cant remember which one but would guess its the nearside from foggy memory. A small spacer in the hole can fix this - I remember someone saying they used a 5p bit.

i am close to solving the bonnet switch thanks chaps i have a few ideas now where to start.

The trans fluid your right when off it is all the way up the stick. but when idling it is still way over the max.

I've had it before, not on a Rangie but an auto box is an auto box, that a punter overfilled their box trying to hide a weak pump in the box. You should drop the fluid level to the correct point but if after you have the box starts playing up don't assume that you have drained off too much fluid you might have unearthed a problem.

The safest way to do it is take it to a gearbox specialist and ask them to check it. They should find the overfill straight away drain it for you and then you have on the spot diagnosis if the box plays up.

Chaps.

Bonnet warning fixed. (cut the wires)
Gearbox overheating (new sensor) fixed
Too much trans fluid fixed
Whirring not fixed, will try new tyres, might be exagerating the nosie i can hear.
Engine knock/tap??? this is still the same, only knocks/tap when engine underload, its almost a metalic clicking noise. my thoughts are.

1. Big end rattle (change big ends £100 if i do it myself, i think it could be done, by just removing the sump.
2. timing chain, not convinced by this one, again a cheap fix.
3. little end knock. engine out, complete rebuild of engine
Anyone know if these range rovers are prone to lttle end knock?

its only done 81,000 miles