Turn key, dash all lights up as usual, no noise, no engine turn over. Stuck in park? Gears? 97 Disco SE


This has happened a few times. Truck will not start. Dash lights up everything no turnover. I jumped the truck. Still did not turn over. For some reason I grabbed the main gearbox lever and couldn't budge it. I remembered once I did not have it quite in park and it would not start. Took apart the pieces to see if I could get it to move. Finally just really wriggled the heck out of the gear box selector and seemed loose so I tried to start and it was fine. This has happened a few more times and I want to make sure I haven't messed this up or if I should try to fix it. The bracket as you can see in the picture is loose and I have kept it that way because I think it gets stuck to far forward. What can I do to solve this or should I worry about keeping the bracket out? Truck runs fine otherwise. I did check the workings of the thumb press on the gear selector head that you push to shift gears and it pops up fine in the case. Thanks rover guys.

 

Picture of gear box I forgot. My world of brain injury. Oops

 

The shifter is a catch all for spilled liquids and other things, I suggest removing the console and cleaning and relubing the shifter.

 

Update:
I notice the truck will not start after going short distance (less than 2 miles) and only short time before I try to start again ( like 10 minutes). This does not happen if I go to an appointment for an hour or so and have driven 14 miles. I feel like it is somehow recharging and can't do it in 10 minutes. I had Batteries plus check Battery, Alternator and starter. They say Battery is 680 of 800 and the others are ok. Here is pic of battery I have (I electric taped the open wire someone before me put black duct tape on it). Help please. Comes out of park fine now.

P.S> Land rover forum street cred?
I stopped at a place that works on LR that some here don't like. I told him what was happening and said I had a mechanic in illinois but did not know if I should travel that far. He said "Oh no you don't want to take chance" I then just mentioned how fun it was to read and talk to you all on this forum and his eyes widened and he jumped like he got a little shock. Then said well I "really think you could get it to your rover guy in illinois" . Street cred?

 

Here is battery couldn't attach to other post.

 

680 out of 800 is low. low battery voltage can do all sorts of goofy things. I'd start there

 

With a battery at nearly 3/4 capacity and fairly crappy connections who knows what'll give. 800 and above is where you need to be. Clean up the terminal connections especially that "special" cobbed on ground. Use stainless hardware, doesn't corrode and can cover it with spray or vasoline to keep moisture out.

Street cred? LOL!!!!

 

This battery is up to 800 tops. Is the a battery you recommend?

 

I have an Optima red top that refuses to die after 7 years of use. Use what you want but make sure it's a good one.

 

UPDATE:
Had tune up. Mechanic found one spark plug loose and wire too. Starts up fine now.
Replaced spark plugs wires with set from atlantic british.