Hi all,
I bought a very low mileage Discovery 2 in December last year, 37,000 miles. Already realised not such a great idea as had a few issues but all sorted now apart from the bloomin XYZ switch. I replaced it (second hand ebay with a beige one, mine was silver) but apparently the colour doesnt matter as I've ready on some other boards.
Anyway if the car has been sitting for a few days I start her up no issues.
But then if I take her on a long drive say 2 hours. Then start her up again after a few hours the M&S lights come on. But if I keep trying to start her up generally after say 8 to 10 goes the M&S lights will finally go off and me and the misses and the 2 kids are good to go. Now I don't really mind this. But it can be a bit shameful when you've been to a nice event, and your in the car park and you have to keep starting her up about 10 times to get her going. Also have been getting it in the ear a little bit from the wife why I bought an old car and why can't we just be like normal people and have a new car that works.
So thought I would get some advice as was tempted to just buy another XYZ switch but a silver one instead of a beige one I bought before. (the one that came out of mine was silver)
Or perhaps it is something else as I've read on a few forums it could be the battery as down to voltage and I did buy a new battery for it when I first bought it as it was sitting around for about a year before it came up for sale.
The voltage issue does make sense since that may explain why it does eventually start perhaps? As if it was permanent XYZ switch wouldn't M&S lights always be on no matter how many times I started it up?
Look forward to any advice, complete newbie here so please be gentle!
Many thanks
Mark

 

As you have already learned, poor voltage is perhaps the most common cause of transmission woes on these. You replaced the battery, how good is the alternator (use a multi meter)? The main power wire connections (battery terminals, alternator terminals, grounds need to be clean)?
The next most common issue is improperly serviced transmission fluid level. The owners manual or Service manual will give you the procedure.
These transmissions are very good and your issue is probably not serious.

 

Hi Harvir,
Thank you for this.
There was actually a large oil puddle in the battery tray come to think of it so maybe connections not super clean. I'm not sure ref the alternator though since it always starts up no issue it's just whether it starts up with the M&S lights on the dash or not. Does this mean then that if the xyz switch fails it would always go into M&S mode? Therefore no point me buying another M&S switch, since it does work, just now and again, which means the issue is somewhere else?
Many thanks again
Mark

 

I personally don’t have any experience with the XYZ Switch, I’ve certainly read here about others that have. You’ve already replaced the switch. It’s of course possible to have gotten another faulty switch, but I wouldn’t consider it likely. (My suspicion is that it’s not your issue). The only time that I personally had your issue was when my alternator was failing. The voltage doesn’t need to be terribly low for this to happen. IIRC, my voltage with the engine running was somewhere between 12 and 12.5 volts. A good alternator should be putting out between 13.5 and 14.3 v.
If that checks out, my next place to check would be the transmission ECU connection (IIRC it’s below the driver seat). I would disconnect it, spray electro contact cleaner on it and reconnect it.
Others with more experience than me will probably chime in here soon.

 

Hi Harvir,
Thank you for that, that really helps actually and I will get my mobile mechanic friend to check that out.
Thank you for taking the time to help me too, much appreciated. Lovely people here.
All the best
Mark

 

If the replacement XYZ switch was used there is a good chance that it also had the same issue. On my car it had the flashing M and S lights, and looking through the records the switch was already replaced. I took it apart, cleaned the contacts and put it back together. The lights were still flashing, but once I cleared the obd2 codes, it has been gone ever since.

 

Replaced my XYZ switch in 2024 - I did purchase the "tool" to position it correctly but there is so little room around the switch without disconnecting part of the exhaust, I didn't use the tool. But I do know the switch can rotate slightly forward and backwards on the shaft (adjustment) - not sure if yours if right on the edge of being out of alignment-have you tried to move the gear selector to see if the M&S light goes away? May need to slightly rotate the switch on the shaft.

 

Thanks for all of the replies and help. I've purchased the voltage reader as useful for the other cars and very cheap to check. I do have a gut feeling it's to do with that since it does seem to start on cold OK most of the time. I will also check that transmission connector thanks Harvir. The M&S lights only seem to start coming on after a long drive. But the M&S lights never come on whilst driving. They only come on upon trying to start the car. Will keep you updated.

 

Have you had the transmission codes read?

 

I have intermittent xyz problems as well. I have found that if you start the Disco and they come on, turn the switch almost off. Just to stop the engine but not all of the way off -the radio should still be on. Turn the key back to the "run" position, not start. Let the lights flash a couple of times then crank/start the vehicle. It works every time for me. If you are having a similar problem, maybe it'll work for you as well.