So, went camping last weekend, needed to hit an aggressive trail to get to camp, couldn't get into low. Tried rolling, tried reversing, nothing...

Manage to get to camp in high gear, next morning, start it up, slips right into low.

At least once a week I shift into low just to keep things going, and it dawned on me that I always do it when I am driving down my street in the mornings. So the last few days I have been trying to shift while everything is hot, and it absolutely will not budge.

I am guessing maybe the solenoid gets hot and sticks? Anyone with thoughts on how to diagnose/fix?

 

the linkage would be mechanical, are you trying to shift into low while moving? Does it bind up the same if you are stationary?

Have you checked the fluid level? I don't know if the automatic trans models have a lockout?

 

Yes, definitely trying to shift while moving. It will not shift into Low while stationary, regardless of hot or cold. But when moving, it always slips right in.

I've had my Disco for just at 15 years, I have previously had an issue where I couldn't shift back out of Center Diff Lock, I did it by hand from underneath and haven't shifted into Center Lock since, but honestly, I have always felt I do better with it open anyway.

As far as shifting into Low, I hadn't needed to do so since Winter, outside of my weekly "keep everything lubed and moving" shift into low while leaving my house.

I'll check the fluid level this evening. I thought there was a solenoid that opened when in neutral which allowed the shift to take place, I was thinking maybe that was seizing while hot. But I could be thinking of the Disco 2.

 

If you haven't serviced or cleaned out and repacked the grease in the Hi-Lo shifter linkage I would highly recommend that you get it cleaned and re-greased as it will gum up and cause the linkage to bind up. As for shifting a D1 from Hi to Lo you want to be stationary not rolling, place the automatic shifter into neutral, and shift the Hi-Lo selector to Lo or vice-versa. It is almost impossible to shift it when the auto trans is in gear there is also a solenoid that will prevent it from shifting. D1 auto is that right?

 

Yes, d1 auto. I've always read it's better to be rolling slightly, slip into neutral then shift. It's always goes nice and smooth.

Except when hot. Then it won't budge no matter what.

I know the answer is most likely to repack everything. I just thought it was strange since a cold shift is so easy .

Can you point me to a good guide to do it?

 

You'll need to remove the center console(2 screws in the cubby, remove the window control panel, 4 screws, disconnect the e-brake with one spring clip and a cotter pin, pull the e-brake straight up, remove the rubber mat, remove the bezel around your gear selector(it pulls up from the back then slides forward a bit), remove the t-case boot(pry with your fingers, the plastic clips pretty strongly) remove the 4 screws holding the console to the body if they havent been chucked in the past and then out the consol comes)

Once the center console is out, you'll need to remove the rubber/foam insulation around the t-case selector, and you'll see a metal panel riveted to the trans tunnel.

Drill out the rivets(replace them with self drilling screws on reassembly)

And then you'll see the shifter tower. You'll have to disconnect the linkages, unbolt and remove the whole thing(its only like 8 bolts) and clean and lube it on a bench/work table. Make sure you pull it all apart and clean the **** out of it. Pack it with high quality marine or wheel bearing grease, then reassemble

 

If he has the auto trans solenoid I wonder if it could help removing or replacing it. I don't have this solenoid on my cars (non autos).

Any downside to not having the solenoid? breakage issues?

 

http://bahnstorm.com/rover/discodifflock.htm



https://youtu.be/fn1X2ZMbh7s

this thread may help too...
https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...13/#post537320

this video helps explain the solenoid....

 

Thanks guys, I think I will start with the solenoid. It is the only thing that makes logical sense because cold shifts are like butter, but once everything is hot, nothing, no matter which tricks I try.