Series 3 Can't select High range 2WD (stuck selector) - FIXED

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FRAJ

Member
Posts
42
Location
UK
I have seen similar posts with this issue, which suggests that the selector shafts get seized up and can be freed off by removing the little cover (3 bolts) and cleaning up / oiling. But before I start on that job, does anyone know why the selector would suddenly seize solid, after working the last few weeks? I admit it did feel a bit stiff, but other posts I read it seemed to seize through lack of use.
Symptoms are: Left it in low range overnight, come morning I can't move the red lever back to high. However, I can move it IF I press the yellow knob at the same time, putting it in 4wd. It drives fine, the yellow pops back up when moving to low, the selector cover itself looks in good nick.
I guess I can use it, since it has free wheeling hubs? And assume I only need to remove the drivers floor (plus all the legacy silicone sealant) to get to it?
It's my first LR, only had it a few weeks.

Thanks
 
I have seen similar posts with this issue, which suggests that the selector shafts get seized up and can be freed off by removing the little cover (3 bolts) and cleaning up / oiling. But before I start on that job, does anyone know why the selector would suddenly seize solid, after working the last few weeks? I admit it did feel a bit stiff, but other posts I read it seemed to seize through lack of use.
Symptoms are: Left it in low range overnight, come morning I can't move the red lever back to high. However, I can move it IF I press the yellow knob at the same time, putting it in 4wd. It drives fine, the yellow pops back up when moving to low, the selector cover itself looks in good nick.
I guess I can use it, since it has free wheeling hubs? And assume I only need to remove the drivers floor (plus all the legacy silicone sealant) to get to it?
It's my first LR, only had it a few weeks.

Thanks

Bit hard to say without actually seeing it, but it could be that the linkages are fouling each other under the trans tunnel, possibly due to mud, rust, or a split pin fouling on something.
Try getting under it and having a look, and removing the transmission tunnel if needed.
 
Your description just sounds rusted up. Easily said on line but it’s a common problem (me) m. I’d follow as posted advice to free up.
 
It's rare to need to put it in low, unless towing up steep hills or perhaps doing some heavy duty off roading. How come you use low frequently?

Col
 
The high low lever and the yellow knob really need to be used every week to keep everything free and oily. The problem is that the 4wd is latched by a spring so if the stiffness gets above the spring force it just stops working. Oil evverything and move it all regualry.
 
The locking pin that goes up and down is a neat fit in the hole in housing, it can trap rust and jam when moved and as rob says it only has the spring force to push it back up , a good clean and oil should do it and check spring under yellow knob is ok
 
Found a small stone jamming mine once.
The only reason not to drive in two wheel drive low is the rear drive train can be overloaded and something like a halfshaft may go, but driven carefully it's ok.
 
Thanks for the responses, very useful. I have had the floor up which was a job in itself with several layers of silicone in there. Didn't manage to get the cover off the selectors fully before I ran out of time (still got the 4wd pin in it) but the little I saw looked ok, ie not full of rust. Will have another play later hopefully.
I have used the red lever about 8 time in my 1 month of ownership. I think the previous fella never touched it.
 
I move my red lever pretty much every drive. I dod this to keep it free and also becuse I have 3.54 diffs and reverse is very high so its safer to revrese in low range. I do have FWH and would use 4wd with the FWH free but only for parking. The 2 places to check are the littel pin moved by the yellow know, and carefully take the end cover over the selector rods off and clean it inside and grease the rods where they come out the transfer box. One of the rods is pushed one way and springs the other so you just have to keep working it unitl it moves on the spring. The yellow knob unlatches it
 
The high low shaft operates all the other parts , problems getting low ratio can be shims at rear or grease in the recess.
Going into high rotates a pivot inside front wheel drive output casing which then disengages 4wd with the spring.
Sounds like pivot has come adrift hope not as that is a gearbox out job.
 
The high low shaft operates all the other parts....

Thanks for the ideas all. I really hope it's not a gearbox out. I have it booked into a local specialist in a couple of weeks anyway and am going to ask them to take a look.
 
The high low lever is bolted to the shaft end so not inside the cover.
It engages when 4wd selected which means that part of linkage is in different position allowing it to engage maybe the front wheel drive shaft is not spring ing back take cover off end and compare shaft lengths to the attached pdf if one is not free tapping the end gently after spraying some realese fluid on it generally frees as you are pushing it against the spring.
 

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Just an update, unsurprisingly, having read your replies, it was just the selector seized through lack of use. I was worried because it had been working and then became solid rather then just a bit stiff., but the shaft that returns under spring load was stuck and forcing the lever has no effect as it doesn't connect to the stuck shaft directly. Anyway, back on the road..
 
Thanks so much for all the info on here gents.
had exactly the same issue on mine since I bought it about 8 months ago. couldn't believe the fix was so simple.
had to sand down one of the shafts it was so furred and rusted up. I whacked it a couple of times with a hammer to get it going then oiled and greased and its like a bloomin new one! amazing!
 
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