Hey guys, pretty new owner of an LR3 and I'm starting to get a transmission error. When I start it in the morning and shift into reverse the truck kind of lurches, and then it throws the "Transmission fault: limited gears available." When I drive into work it shifts fine but won't go into 6th, so I have to max out at around 55 to keep the revs down. Once I arrive at work, putting it into park locks it in this position, and occasionally if I shut it off and turn it back on it will allow me to shift out of park but it will lurch again and throw the code, and if I go back to park it will be stuck again. Oddly, this issue will resolve itself later in the afternoon, no fault codes and everything shifts smooth, and the check engine light goes away after a little bit too. I'm really baffled, do I truly have transmission issues or is this just an electrical problem? I'd like to try to fix it myself if it's an electrical component malfunctioning, but go ahead and treat me like I know nothing because I've never worked on this truck before. Thanks in advance!

 

Common source of gremlins are battery voltage, brake switch, water ingress (check for damp carpet driver and passenger side)

 

Yeah I've got a new brake light switch on the way and I'll see if that does the trick, if not I'll have a spare at least. I opened up the center console and checked all the connectors, they all look good with no corrosion. I checked my carpets as well, no signs of moisture. I had a guy at Napa check my battery and voltage from the alternator, battery was healthy but the alternator was only putting out 13.5 volts. I know this isn't super low, but is that low enough to make the computer start to get wonky?

 

Wouldn't think so...

 

Update: I replaced the brake switch and that fixed the problem for about 4 days, but then it started acting up again yesterday and still had the same problem this morning. I always get the fault in the morning but then it goes away in the afternoon. This makes it sound like the battery, but it tested well when I had it checked out. I'm at a loss now for where to look next, the battery is good, the alternator is good, it has a new brake switch, and the taillights are good. Any ideas?

On a side note, I also have another thread going about my front wipers. I doubt the two things are related, but with these trucks you never know...

 

Update to the update: The fault hasn't reoccurred for some time, for awhile there I was avoiding the issue by just starting up the car and letting it sit for a few minutes, which made it so I wouldn't get the fault when I shifted into reverse (as opposed to immediately shifting into reverse upon startup which would then cause the fault). However this morning I tested it by doing the immediate shift and no fault occurred. The only commonality I can find with what preceded the faults was they came on the morning after (in two separate occasions) me driving on washboard gravel roads. All I'm thinking now is that maybe the vibrations were playing havoc with something?

 

I think it was coincidence with the gravel roads. The LR3 ought to be able to handle some good ol' Central OR washboards!

 

Yeah my feelings as well. I bought this truck to be able to handle anything, so I'd be pretty disappointed if it was defeated by a little washboard. I think I need to do some more digging to see if I can find some corroded wiring.

 

I can recall several years back getting a random Transmission fault....and it ended up being a wiring/harness issue with the Transfer Case Control Module. Got it replaced and never saw it again. It wasn't terribly expensive, either.

 

Turns out I had a bad mass airflow sensor, started to get some engine fault codes and replaced it and have been good since. Haven't had any more problems with transmission faults either, not really sure how the mass airflow sensor would tie into that. Anyway I'll keep an eye on it, but I'm just glad things are all running well now.