"Stuck in Park"

N

nomad

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2004
63
0
59
OB MO
I yet again return to visiting this problem.

This time however, when attempting to move the auto shifter out of park, foot placed firmly on the brake/clutch, shifter lever button depressed. Zero happens. It started when the rear wiper came on on the freeway, I pulled over to check the fuses and the thing locked in park. I twiddled the wires on the compression switch on the pedal and it worked again. Now when I try to get it out of park the lights go out on the gear selecter there is a clicking sound coming from the upper solenoid, and a clicking from the glove box. I changed out the solenoid at the (shiftlock solenoid/neutral switch), reatempted the task= zero. Changed out the 4-point yellow switch behind the glove box=zero. Changed out the compression switch at the pedal=zero. Any ideas? Oh i've lost the wiper motor and washer wiper controls too. when I depress the wash wipe switch, the solenoid in the shifter tunnel clicks and the shifter lights go out??

Any help will be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Nomad.
 
N

nomad

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2004
63
0
59
OB MO
Just tried both, all the fuses (loads of acccessories, additional wires in the fuse panel) and the lights, all OK. But the problem remains.

Thanks.

Ben.
 
Last edited:
S

Surgeoh

Active member
Oct 23, 2004
42
0
59
Houston, Tx
Pull out your voltmeter and trace the problem. Don't forget your wiring diagram. It sounds like some contacts are interfering with one another.
 
N

nomad

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2004
63
0
59
OB MO
Garrett,

Affirmative on the brake pedal switch. Had a spare and changed it earlier.

Cheers

nomad
 
F

fnscotsman

Active member
Oct 6, 2004
41
0
Denver, Colorado
I had the exact same problem. Could not get my 95 disco out of Park. I validated that the brake pedal was not the fault and figured that it must be the solenoid on the gear shift. I replaced the solendoid but the problem persisted. I finally figured out (when I went to replace the solenoid) that there is a microswitch located in the housing also. This micro switch basically disables the solenoid when the vehicle is in gear. Thus when you brake you are not supplying power to the solenoid and thus activating it un-necessarilly.
I replaced the solenoid a couple of weeks ago and the problem is gone.
Try replacing it. What you could do to prove the switch theory is disconnect it from the housing (2 small screws on top) and when you are trying to move the car out of park fiddle with the switch. It is like a small pulley on a lever that is activated by the movement of the gear lever inside the housing. Alternately cut the switch out of the circuit and do a bypass with the wires, however this means that with every time you press the brakes the solenoid will activate. If this proves the theory then you can always buy a new switch. (Dealer part only)
GOOD LUCK!
 
F

fnscotsman

Active member
Oct 6, 2004
41
0
Denver, Colorado
PS The solenoid I was referring to is located inside the gear shift housing. If you have not already done so, strip out the center console and gain access to the guts of the gear shift lever. When you depress the brake pedal you should see the solenoid retract allowing the gear lever to move. If it does not retract then there is your problem. There are three components that need to be validated.

1) The Brake Pedal switch. Sounds like you have already checked this out.
2) The Solenoid (as described above)
3) The Microswitch in the gear lever housing (as described in my previous post).
 
N

nomad

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2004
63
0
59
OB MO
Ok.

Pulled the console to pieces, when the footbrake is depressed nothing happens to the solenoid in the shifter housing, but when the rear window washer is pressed the solenoid switch retracts, as if to allow gear selection. Now would this indicate the solenoid is up the creek or would it indicate a wiring problem?

Thanks for the patience chaps. As you can tell not wrench savvy.

nomad
 
N

nomad

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2004
63
0
59
OB MO
Ok.

I have got the disco out of 'Park.'

To get it to run I had to put the hand brake on and use the washer wiper switch to engage the solenoid. I then put the ****** in 'N' now I can move about like normal but had to pull out the fuse for the washer wiper for the rear window, and I cannot place it in park.

But that is still a hell of a lot better than riding my bicycle 30 miles per day by necessity rather than choice.

LR New Orleans are sending me up a brake pedal switch as I think even though I replaced the other it still may be the problem.

When I install that I will update you all.

Cheers for the help folks, it really is great to be able to get such great help so quickly I really appreciate it being such a 'Goober at turning wrench.'

Anyone know a good LR mechanic in the Osage Beach MO region?

Nomad
 
N

nomad

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2004
63
0
59
OB MO
Ok.

I have got the disco out of 'Park.'

To get it to run I had to put the hand-brake on and use the washer wiper switch to engage the solenoid. I then put the transmission in 'N' now I can move about like normal but had to pull out the fuse for the washer wiper for the rear window, and I cannot place it in park.

But that is still a hell of a lot better than riding my bicycle 30 miles per day by necessity rather than choice.

LR New Orleans are sending me up a brake pedal switch as I think even though I replaced the other it still may be the problem.

When I install that I will update you all.

Cheers for the help folks, it really is great to be able to get such great help so quickly I really appreciate it being such a 'Goober at turning wrench.'

Anyone know a good LR mechanic in the Osage Beach MO region?

Nomad
 
F

fnscotsman

Active member
Oct 6, 2004
41
0
Denver, Colorado
Nomad, just a word of caution. When I had my issues I did the same. I.E. left the Rover in Neutral. However I could not get the key out of the ignition this meant that also there was something that was still draining the battery even with everything switched off. So when I came back the battery was dead. So don't let the Disco sit for more than a day or so with the key in the ignition.
 
N

nomad

Well-known member
Apr 22, 2004
63
0
59
OB MO
Scotsman.

Thank you sir.

This morning the Disco battery did NOT have enough charge to turn over the engine sufficiently. So to my chagrin I will be charging the battery over night and hoping to try out everything tomorrow.

Cheers Nomad
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom