Hi everyone,
I just picked up an 01 D2 with about 155k miles. I have had the trans temp light come on a few times for a short moment (think 30 seconds or less) in either stop in go traffic or after sitting in a drive thru. I live in Florida where the temps right now are in the 90's during the day. Transmission shifts fine and the transmission filter fluid/change done by the previous owner about 5k miles ago. In addition the car just had a new radiator installed (Nissens brand) so I'm not sure if that affects anything as I believe that there is a trans temp sensor on oil cooler behind the radiator. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Also I have the Service Engine Soon light on for p0441 (purge valve). I had the purge valve replaced with the Bosch valve (just the valve not the hose assembly). there doesn't appear to be any cracked lines. after clearing the code the light came back on almost immediately. do i have to bite the bullet and replace the whole $400 assembly? or could it be something else.

 

I'm not sure about the trans temp. You'll probably have to test the sensor itself or the wiring.
Usually when you get codes that come back immediately, it's a wiring problem. You could try unplugging the connector on the valve and make sure you've got 12 volts on one of the wires. (12v with the key on)

 

There is a temp sensor in the bottom of the trans oil cooler and one in the transfer case - one is lighting the trouble light. They are wired in series so you can't really tell which one is giving the signal without disconnecting it and testing it with a meter. If the transfer case is low that could be a correct indicator, otherwise it is probably a bad sensor.

Does it come on right away, or do you have to drive the truck for a while? If it is right away it is probably a bad sensor. You can get to the trans cooler one from the right front wheel well, just have to remove one inner plastic panel on the front left side of the well.

Pics all over the net - do a google search. Good luck!

 

The light comes on within about 10-15 minutes of driving during the day when sitting in heavy traffic or sitting in gear. As soon as you start driving rather than sitting it goes away.

 

See PO changed fluid/filter, have you verified level correct?
......

 

Based purely on the conditions it is coming on you cannot say for sure it is a false positive, so best to check the level in the transfer case and transmission.

If you can get a known good spare sensor and plug it in to the connector for the one in the radiator that will tell if you if it is the radiator sensor or transfer case (it will not reach critical temp level in the open air). Based on that you can change the correct one.

 

Had a local shop look at it and there opinion was the transmission is just worn out and they would recommend replacing it. They said it was possible that there might be debris in the transmission cooler and they could flush it out and replace the sensor but no guarantee that would help and it would be a $600 gamble.

 

Drain/Fill it yourself. It'll take 6qt without dropping the pan/filter. I will never trust a shop's opinion on a LR unless it's a LR shop!!!!!!!! They honestly give you a horrible diagnosis or high price either because they don't want to touch it or they think it's a Range Rover... and you poop out gold bricks...

What do you have to loose? You'll either fix it, or you won't and if you don't you won't be any worse off than you were before. The draining is a breeze, but the refill will be kinda messy, but it won't be that bad. It should take 4qt pumped into it, then start it shift thru the gears, and while it's running pump in the other 2qt's. When it starts coming out steady install fill plug and take it for a drive.

An entire good working transmission off of Ebay would be 300-400.00 and they aren't that hard to drop/install if you have a friend with all the tools needed.

 

All good advice up there from Best. I would only add: make sure you remove, or at least loosen, the fill plug before you drain it. Draining out the fluid and then not being able to re-fill it would be bad.

 

The shop is quite familiar with Land Rover's, they are Euro specialty shop. I might try replacing the fluid but it was just done a few thousand miles ago at a LR specialty shop. And the transmission shifts great, even the shop mentioned that it shifted with no issues.

If not as you mentioned it looks like used D2 transmissions are pretty inexpensive.