I have a huge problem! My automatic 96 disco just took a dump! I was going down a steep grade in 1st gear when my disco made a large knock and jolted. After that it made a grinding noise when i pressed on the gas and slowed down when I let off it, shortly after it jolted again and stalled, a little bit of smoke came out of my gear shifter. It now will not turn over. I'm thinking I need a new transfer case. Any thoughts?

 

Are you sure you didn't grenade the bottom end of your engine?

 

How many RPM was the engine turning?
If it will not turn over at all you need to check the battery first and then the starter and battery cables.
How steep was the hill?
Was the oil level full?
The t-case has nothing to do with the engine, so if the engine will not turn over it's not the t-case.

 

The RPM was fine. The hill was a pretty steep grade. It was just making a nasty grinding noise as i sped up and slowed down when i took my foot off the pedal before it gave out. Oil level was fine and tranny oil is fine. battery is charged. I try to start it up but the transmission temperature light comes on which I have never seen before and it's not even hot.

 

So, since you can't determine what is bad, sounds like you need to get it to a shop.

 

Dont worry about the trans temp light right now.
Will it turn over and just not start?
Or does it do nothing when you try and start it?

 

I was lying in bed last night trying to fall asleep when I had an idea. If you mean that the engine will crank, and is just not starting, it's possible that if you did grenade the transfer case or something in the transmission, that large knock you felt could have triggered the emergency fuel cutoff switch located on the passenger side of the firewall.

Jab your finger into the top of that rubber cap and see if it resets the switch.

Then again, if you're turning the key and NOTHING is happening, you've got a potentially serious problem.

 

If it doesn't crank and the battery is good and starter is good, I would say the bottom end of the engine is toast. Did the truck left an oil puddle where it stalled? Too bad it is automatic if it were manual it would have been easy to check.

 

The engine will crank, its just not starting. I'll check the fuel cutoff switch

 

So what is the verdict? Was the emergency cutoff triggered?