Shifter will not go into park, reverse, drive (99 DII)

[amyandchuck]

Hi,

Turned on the rover today and found that it will not go into reverse and other gears. It will go into neutral, 1, 2 but not 3, D, R or P. Since the shifter will not go into park the key is stuck in the ignition. Interestingly the shift lever physically goes into the right place but the indicator lights dash and shift console do not indicate that the trans is in the right gear!

What should I check first? Trans fluid level?

Chuck

 

[amyandchuck]

Ok, very funny. There is no trans fluid dipstick on the disco II, thus no way to check the level. Good grief.

I put the truck on ramps and found trans fluid on the trans which leads me to believe there is a leak. I guess the next step would be to pull the filler plug and pump in fluid until its full and the try shifting again?

 

[amyandchuck]

I checked the fluid level, it is full.

After moving the shift lever back and forth a couple of times it did go into park. So I was able to get the key out.

Off to the dealer I guess.

 

[Steve83]

Have you had any work done on it recently? Any odd shifting or driving behavior? Do your brake lights work? Any blown fuses?

 

[amyandchuck]

Have you had any work done on it recently? Any odd shifting or driving behavior? Do your brake lights work? Any blown fuses?

No recent work....it has been working fine. I looked at the fuses and didn't see anything awry. Yes, the brake lights and backup lights work.

 

[amyandchuck]

OK, one more thing to add. Turns out someone (not me) left the front sunroof open the night before and it rained. Maybe there is a short in there somewhere.

 

[Steve83]

It could be a ground fault, or maybe the shifter is corroded & sticking. Pull the surround STRAIGHT up at the 4 corners, disconnect the connector(s), and inspect.

 

[amyandchuck]

OK, problem is fixed. Turns out it was a loose wire under the shift console cover.

Whew! Could have been worse.