Selector Cable or XYZ
 

Reading the thread that mlt01 started, reminded me of a minor issue that I have. When the trans selector is in P or N the indicator light does not light up all the time. The only time it is an notice it, is when I can't get the key out of the ignition. When that happens I have to push forward on the selector to get the light to light up and then I can remove the key. The PO couldn't get the transfer case out of low because of this issue, he never noticed that the N light was not lighting up. All the other gear positions are OK. I do not have any issues starting the DII.

Is this an issue with the XYZ switch (adjustment or needs a cleaning) or do I just need to adjust the selector cable?

The XYZ switch has a connector, so you could meter things. They can build up gunk inside from mud and AC condensate drain. Seems like if cable was off it would be off on other settings as well.

Time to dig into the rave to see what contacts I need to measure for P and N.

Found what I need. In the ZF System Information Document.

There is a page in Section 2 for the DII that has a chart that shows which of the 4 outputs (W,X,Y & Z) should have voltage in what gear.

From my experience in swapping out my XYZ switch it is quite specific in the adjustment to get it just right to engage the red lights for ever position at the gear shift. If you have not messed with the adjustment recently it is possible that the cable has stretched a tad and adjusting the switch might fix your issue. On my vehicle the red indicator next to N did not light up after I put the new switch on and I figured no big deal until I found I could not move the T-case selector from the high range to the low range. I have to push just slightly on my gear shift until the red light comes on and I can hear the solenoid click and then move the small selector lever.

I think sometimes people misunderstand how complex this switch is and how many things it does and how it communicates with all parts of your vehicle. If you ever get the chance to look inside one of these switches you will see a whole bunch of metal tabs and contacts that need to all make contact at the right moment to make things work. This is a totally mechanical switch that gets moved every time you start your car and go backwards or forwards so things can wear over time.

It is easier to make adjustments with the car off and cool because of the proximity to the Y pipe underneath. To figure out which way to adjust the switch lie under the drivers side where you can see the switch and have someone push the lever in the direction needed to make the light come on, that will tell you which way to adjust the switch. Let the area cool down and then use a small wrench to release the nut holding it in place and twist the switch ever so slightly.

I did some further investigation. The reverse indicator doesn't light up also, however the reveres lights come on if the indicator is lit or not.

In order to get the P,R,N lights to light up, I need to push the shiftier slightly toward the dash.

Park - Line 1 (W) should have voltage
Reverse - Line 2 (X) should have voltage
Neutral - W, X & Line 3 (Y) should have voltage

If it was the switch, I think I would have issues with other gears since it does not appear to a single contact issue.

I may try to adjust the cable and see what happens, I can always put it back where it was.

best to have two people when adjusting one inside one under, it does not take a lot of movement.

Amen to that and I am too old now to be jumping up and down to see what I am doing!

Last weekend I tried adjusting the cable, by myself. After a dozen or so tries, I got no where. Next time I will get my wife to sit in the DII while I an under it.

XYZ further info
 

Over the weekend I put my Disco 2 into some deep water by accident. I was nose down in a hole for about 2 hours. Once I got out, I noticed that none of my selector lights come on by the shifter and the display on the dash does not show what gear I'm in. The green "M inside the gear) indicator light is on on my dash display. And I cannot get my key out of the ignintion unless I am disconnect the battery.

I noticed that I seem to be starting out in 2nd or 3rd gear(probably 3rd) and I am not sure the transmission is shifting higher. I cannot hear or feel it shift.

Please tell me where I should start to diagnose the issue. Is it the switch refered to in this thread?
Thanks a lot.