purchased new Illumination Unit for 98 disco today because the plastic where the shifter goes through was all torn up. Looks like I'll have to remove the center counsel to remove old and put new one in. Have workshop manual so looks pretty easy, but they don't talk about removing the automatic **** ****. Does it screw off, just pull off, or is there something else i have to do to get it off?

 

You have to pop the top cover off the shifter handle, with like a really small flat head used as a pry. Underneath it is a clip and nut, or something like that, then once removed, the handle just slides off.

 

ok thanks. glad i didn't just try twisting it off

 

Just be carefull taking off the metal clip- I broke the end off mine when I did it.

 

ok, i opened the top of the shifter and see metal clip with small silver pin on top and think i see the nut to unscrew in order to remove, but unable to get to it. is there a way to remove that metal clip and pin on top?

 

If I remember right, the metal clip is bent down on the front end. you have to lift the end thats bent, and slide the whole metal clip backwards, and it comes off the pin its on. That pin is not removable, thats what moves up down whan you press the button on the gearshift.

The nut that is down in there, I believe I used a deep well socket to remove.

 

Got everything apart, replaced illumination unit, put everything back together. was going to put that metal clip back on and it snapped. Any idea where to get just the clip and what part number might be?

 

Other than the dealer or a junk yard, I don't know. If you have something to measure the shaft diameter, I think a regular c-clip or snap ring would work(available at most hardware stores)

 

X2
I did the same thing to mine after tightening (for a key issue) and replaced it with a "C" clip. Then - when I took it off again (to replace the Illumination Unit like you) I lost the "C" clip so put a snap ring in it's place.

So the choice is really yours and what you have or can find.

I just wish I had kept the measurements for both of those to pass on to you so you don't have to measure.