I sorted out the vibration issue and swapped in a Heavy duty driveshaft world of difference but it has been a long time since I tried to put the disco into low or lock the diff. When I tried I cant even get the shifter to move at all...and I have heard that forcing it can be bad or it wont go back into high etc

Now in reading I have read that on the 04 there is a relay or some type of switch/solenoid on the 4x4 shifter and if that is not working right then it wont go into gear I know I need to remove the console and drill out the rivets to get to it. My question is anyone else with an 04 that has had this problem...and was it the solenoid or something else that kept it from shifting.
I just dont want to force it then not get it back into High
thanks in advance

 

A: try to change into low while the vehicle is rolling slowly in neutral. 5-10mph. Apply firm pressure but it will be apparent if it's not going to move.

B: if still won't move, check fuses under dash. There's a fused circuit for the lockout solenoid on the transmission and the hi-lo shifter.

C: if fuses are good and shifter won't move, you need to remove the center consol, and shifter plate in the floor to access the hi-lo lockout solenoid which is attached to the shifter.

Proceed with A and B, report back for further instructions.

 

It could also be that the shift cable has seized up. On the '04 D2 it's recommended that you move the shifter about once a month to keep it free. I think you will have to pull up the base of the shifter boot to access the upper end of the cable; you could try dripping some oil into it and see if that makes a difference.

 

thanks for the input I looked under the dash and didnt see any fuse box

 

I am going to try penatrating oil in the shift cable on my 04 then. It is very hard to shift.
The left/right movement of the H pattern is very small.
I didn't think it had moved to the left at all, only that the dash light came on that it was locked in 4 high.
It did not want to shift into 4 low.
I was sitting still, and I've since read to try it at low speed, which I have yet to do.
Where is the fuse for that located?
Under the dash, or under the hood?
I have a pdf of the service manual, but hate searching those. I'm going to buy a paper manual asap.
Thanks

 

This.

I snapped mine because I rarely use 4Lo, and jammed it in. Snapped the cable clean. 2 days of drilling( on the transfer-case side) , a new cable and some fabricated pivot joints (Pins with anti-sieze) and its smooth as glass.

See link for picture of the carnage.
https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...79/#post600610

 

How much was the cable?

Why were you drilling on the transfer case?
Did the cable snap off inside it ?

 

Take a close look at the manuals for all that cause the issue. There can be several reasons the solenoid will not release.

My '04 would go H/L without issue. One day it wouldn't go into low to facilitate driving up on my maintenance ramps when troubleshooting S&M/limp issues. Never got around to troubleshooting H/L issue because once x,y,z switch was replaced H/L was working as advertised.

Not suggesting it's your x,y,z switch but there are other than causes to consider prior to tearing it apart.
......