Hi there Landrover community.

After a lifetime of looking in awe at landrovers and in particular always imagining myself doing Paris Dakar I finally took the plunge. I have always liked the 90 CSW but a bit small for the family. I decided on a Disco. With a budget of £3-4K I found several on ebay and autotrader which looked like they fitted the bill.

For £3500 I got a 1996 TDi300 ES Arden in a metallic red which really looks good. I was warned to check for history (103K miles), and in particular things like boot floors etc. This one looks like its never been off road or even towed anything. It looks spotless underneath and apart from a very small amount of blistering near the rear light clusters its the same on the bodywork.

I have had it nearly a week and am really pleased. A couple of minor problems have appeared and I wondered if anyone here might be able to shed some light. Firstly when going down a hill some water came out of the front LH side of the rooflining near the windscreen (sunroof leak?) Secondly, I noticed (I know I should have checked before buying) the diff lock lever would not move to the left at all. You could select hi-lo but it would not budge. Finally I opened the passenger door and grabbed it with both hands and it moved. However the light on the dash doesnt come on and I'm not entirely sure it is engaging. I'm told its a common problem and as this one hasnt seen much mud I dont think the lever has been used much.

I would very much appreciate any suggestions on both of these issues

Thanks

James

sorry but the sunroofs leak, and the diff lock may never been used, so it may just be stiff.

lots of wd40 on yer lever then work it in and out
and use it at least once a week to keep it workin

The lever moves over to the left but still no light on and definitely doesnt feel like the diff is locked. As far as the roofs go I will probably seal them with silicone.

Hmmmm. Just noticed the centre console has definitely been out at sometime. Transmission sounds fine all the gears work including hi and low. Whats the worst thing that it can be? If the diff lock isnt engaging even though the shifter goes to that position does that mean the transfer box is broken?

If it has't been used before with the lever being seized more than likely that the electrical switch is suffering the same fate. Either replace the switch or keep moving the lever to free off the switch. Do as slob says with loads of wd40 around the linkage on the transfer box, forward most lever assembly on the transfer box easily accessable from underneath and also the pivot point on the gearbox. Make sure that the lever is moving on the transfer box (underneath) before presuming that it is not working in diff lock.

Thanks guys, I am getting a pair of ramps to put the disco on tomorrow as it seems a bit of a tight squeeze under there with the side steps on. I am hoping that its a simple matter of a linkage or something. I am assuming the switch is just for an indication and the selection is mechanical and nothing to do with the light being on/off. I will need the diff lock as I pull a boat and am likely to get stuck in the sand occasionally!

Yes the switch is purely an indication that it is engaged, also as a reminder to disengage when back on normal ground (most important to stop transmission "wind up")