Transmission Range Change Not Available - Land Rover Forums

GeoRover · #1 01-17-2012, 03:50 PM

Hello Rovers! My first post here.

Bought my first used LR3 2005 SE and super excited about it. Love the vehicle and the drive except that "Transmission Range Change Not Available", "Special Programs Not Available" and such faults are hindering its true utility I actually bought it for. On startup I get three System Fault Errors below:

1. Transmission Range Change Not Available
2. System Fault Special Programs Not Available
3. Special Programs Off

I have put in a new battery Interstate MTP-49/H8. Problem persists. Also checked the passenger side fuse box (Fuse 24); it is good. Also the LOW RANGE doesn't light up either when I push it down.

Terrain Response Control Switch is not lighting up, does not even show the NORMAL drive Mode Light - no indication of it being active (Although it is by default). When I rotate the Terrain Response knob, it gives fault errors like "System Fault Terrain Range Not Available".

Suspension, Command Shift, HDC and just about everything else I can think of works except what I mentioned above.

If this has been answered before, please point me to it. I couldn't find it. Thanks in advance!

unseenone · #2 01-17-2012, 11:20 PM

It's pretty early in the game here, any number of issues could be the problem. I have read about liquid spilled over the switches causing problems. It could also be prudent to check the fuses.

Here are a couple of links with some possible places to start..

Corrosion due to water leakage (a common problem is water leakage)
DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Help...!Transmission Range Change Not Available

Spillage, Corrosion, etc.
DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - no high-low range

I hope that helps get you started.

GeoRover · #3 01-18-2012, 02:51 PM

Thanks @unseeonone.

Looks like it maybe the corroded ECU behind the battery, atleast both these posts suggested the same thing in the end.

I did replace my battery a couple of weeks ago and noticed corroded negative terminal, which I cleaned and what not before putting in the brand new one.

I will try to locate the ECU box and see if I can see the same problems there. Will report back with results.

GeoRover · #4 01-23-2012, 08:38 PM

UPDATE: As of now the local Land Rover experts ran codes (I haven't seen them) and mentioned that there is a problem with the actuator that triggers the Terrain Response System. They didn't mention blackened stoplight sensor or ECU problem so far - stuff that I expected to be the culprits.

I will request a copy of the codes, repair work (next week) and results once all is said and done.

Spike555 · #5 01-28-2012, 05:36 PM

Please keep us updated.

unseenone · #6 01-28-2012, 07:14 PM

Apparently, the corrosion at the negative terminal on the battery is an issue on the LR3, D3's. No idea why at this point, but apparently that leads to corrosion. It would be beneficial to check your negative terminal, and carefully neutralize the corrosion with some baking soda.

GeoRover · #7 02-08-2012, 06:43 PM

As of today the car has been in shop for 10 days. The Indy Experts are onto the second part and running codes. Not sure what could be so hard to figure and fix that damn thing by now? Anyway thats the update so far.

Quick facts:
Days car owned: 35
Days car in shop: 12
Days car in my posession: 23 (65% of the time owned)

GeoRover · #8 02-10-2012, 08:56 PM

And the VERDICT:

The car is back. And the biggest culprit was Transfer case ECU. All systems go after that was replaced and re-programmed.

And yes you have guessed it, the cause was the negative battery terminal corrosion that damaged the area and the TBox ECU. There were couple of minor issues too but not related. They got fixed too. Also an actuator was replaced too.

The mechanic had suspected something else, I was going with the ECU to begin with which ended up being the problem. Thanks to the forum peeps.