I've searched the forums, but can't find someone with a similar experience.

Yesterday while driving my 2003 Disco II @ 55mph, yellow gears with an x through them started flashing on the upper left of the dash accompanied by a loud alarm/chime. I pulled over to see what's going on, but I can't get my key out of the ignition. Out of desperation I disconnected the negative terminal and the key was freed. Eventually started it back up and the alarm was still going with the flashing gears. I played with the transfer case and transmission and everything sounded like it was shifting properly. I shut it all down for about 10 minutes while furiously Googling and when I started it back up the alarm was off, no dash lights. I drove the remaining 2 miles back to work and about 3/4 of the way there it went off again, although the car was still driving normally in 4H and at 50mph. Again the key was stuck in the ignition, and the only remedy was to disconnect the battery.

I haven't driven it since, but first I'm wondering if it's safe to drive it the 8 miles home, and second, what could possibly be going on?

I will note that the driveshaft has been a bit whiney under acceleration recently and I have a new one from BP Utah sitting in my garage about to be installed. It's possible the T-Case is doing the whining, but it's a stock driveshaft so I figure it needs to be replaced either way.

I have experienced intermittent issues with the key being stuck in the ignition in the past, but always gotten it out after a minute and brushed it off.

I've read several things about weird issues with a weak battery/alternator. The ultra gauge reports about 14v at startup and fades down to about 13.5 while driving. I can get an accurate reading with a voltmeter tomorrow to test the batt and alternator if that's helpful. The negative terminal isn't the tightest thing in the world but it isn't flopping around either. I've read about odd transmission gremlins with loose terminals, but I'm not experiencing those or the flashing M+S. Also no codes on the UltraGauge.

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. I've always managed to fix all my problems reading this forum, but this one has me a little stumped.

 

Transfer case light blinking and chiming

 

Did you ever figure out what was causing this? Mine is doing the same

 

have you checked your battery and alternator? low voltage can do some weird things to these vehicles.