Hey folks,

Just in case any of you have ever or will ever have this problem, I thought I'd give you a quick fix.
Last summer I had to be towed 75 km home, including by camper, when my shifter was stuck in park.
As it turned out, it was a $75.00 switch that blew.

Talking to the tech at Land Rover, he told me that if it ever happens again this is what to do:

Pull the rear window defroster contacts off of the male contacts on the windowand join them with a paper clip, continue on both sides of the window.
Then, start the truck and push the rear window defroster button. This will short out the system safely. You will now be able to take the shifter out of park and drive normally, at least it will get you to the shop for a new switch without a tow truck.
The only immediate problem is the fact that your brake lights will remail on all the time.

Hope this helps lads,

Take care,

Tony

 

How was it "towed" home when it was locked in park ?

Which Model Disco was it ?

Good tip tho.......

 

It would have had to be a flat-bed, that is the only way to safely tow a full time 4x4.

 

Hey Spike 555,

The tow truck guy had to disengage the transfer case by taking apart the linkage underneath the gear changer from under the truck, this made it free-wheel.
He then used the flat-deck's winch to pull the truck onto the deck, my travel trailer was pulled behind attached to his trailer ball.
Just a real fun-filled night for my wife & I.

Live & learn right?

Have a great weekend,

Tony

 

I imagine that ruined your camping trip, huh? At least the tow trk guy knew to disingage the t-case.

 

I tell ya, that camping trip was just toasted.

I had booked for 4 nights over a long weekend near Whistler, B.C. The Rover was loaded to the rafters with food, one or two beers, a safari rack loaded with firewood etc.
To boot, it was our wedding anniversary weekend. At least we have plenty of pre-marinated steaks and cold ones to enjoy the weekend at home.
Could have been worse I guess, at least no one got hurt.

Tony

 

So my question is, why do you have to use paper clips? Why wouldnt turning on the rear defroster do the same thing? All you are doing in completing the circuit.
Just a thought.
Like you said, could have been worse. Trks can be fixed, camping trips rescheduled. Nobody got hurt, thats all that counts.

 

I just carry a extrabrake light switch and afew other small parts that will fit under the seat.

 

That paper clip fix job came right from a certified Land Rover technician beleive it or not. MCL Motors in Vancouver, B.C.
I guess just putting the switch on isn't enough of a jolt to by-pass the brake switch malfunction?
This certified mechanic says he always carries paper clips in his tool box, pretty hokey but it works.

The last person to reply to this talked about keeping a spare brake switch under his seat, are they easy to replace?? Just like a turn signal switch?

I've owned my 1999 Series 1 Disco since new (Feb. 99)and I am always learning something.
Last November I found that I can easily tie down two very large whitetail deer on my safari rack, of course rapped up in tarps to be politically correct.

Cheers,

Tony

P.S. Anyone else from Vancouver, B.C. out there?? It's interesting to hear where our fellow Land Rover enthusiasts live.
I am brand new on this forum andit sounds like a wealth of information for anything related to our trucks.