Hi folks,

Another gearbox failure problem folks ...

L322 TD6, early 2006, 120K miles

Was taking the bikes out last Tuesday for what was going to be a nice bike ride, when bong! Transmission failure warning on the dash. Car was running fine until then, no gearbox problems to date, no nasty expensive-sounding noises from the gearbox. Pulled off and switched off. Restarted and continued, warning came up again, box switched to third (I think), then lost drive completely in all gears. Got car recovered to local gearbox specialist.

He's had an initial look at it today and is a bit mystified as there are no error codes from the box. No drive in any gear, no change in revs when putting into or out of gear. Transfer box seems fine and changes between Hi and Lo as it should. Battery was flat when he tried to start it, which is not too unusual as I don't use the car much and it's been standing for a week. Alternator seems to be working OK - good battery charging voltage once started. Car started fine when putting on and taking off the recovery lorry so I don't think the alternator died mid-journey and the transmission failure warning was due to low battery voltage.

Tomorrow he's taking off the gearbox sump to see what might be lurking inside. I know that at 120K miles the gearbox is (was?) on borrowed time.

So finally a question: for the gearbox to fail like this and with no error codes, is there anything else/obscure that could be the problem other than mechanical failure? Any info that might save a few £ with the gearbox place chasing the fault?

Thanks.

I had a similar fault on my old 2004 4.4, the car just sat in neutral no matter what you did with the gear leaver, & when plugged in came up with no gearbox faults. Mine turned out to be the loom between the box & the gearbox Ecu, a bloody mouse had eaten the loom & this had done the ecu ! Repaired the loom got a second hand ecu & all was good.

Could be a gear selector issue. The gear lever is connected to a selector arm on the gearbox via a cable. If this is out of adjustment it can throw up Transmission Fault errors and typically you can lose drive temporarily after slowing for roundabouts etc. Working the gear lever back and forth can sometimes clear it (till the next time).
The cable and selector arm may just need lubricating; there’s also an adjuster at the gearbox end to get it set correctly (see WSM).

Also check for low fluid level. 2006MY 4.2 SC
BMW R1250 GSA Rallye TE
Triumph Tiger 1050 (sold)
1979 Pontiac Trans Am (sold)

It is a good call Mulcher

Actually it is a steel rod (not a cable) and is known to seize up and cause problems.

If it has gone loose then no gears can be selected

Get mechanic to check the selector rod is connected / working before dropping the sump (two person job, one to watch the other to operate gear lever

May also be worth looking under the gear lever gaiter if the rod is not moving when moving the gear lever .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Gear selector - is that a possible problem if drive was lost while actually on the move?

Possible.....(it is a Range Rover )

but you did ask:

Quote:

is there anything else/obscure that could be the problem

so it may be worth checking these things  .
Experience is the only genuine knowledge, but as time passes, I have forgotten more than I can remember
Volvo V70 P2 2006 2.4 Petrol 170bhp Estate SE
MG Midget Mk1 1962

Previous: L322 Range Rover TDV8 3.6 2008; L322 Range Rover TD6 3.0 2002; P38A Range Rover V8 1999

Does the Park lock hold the car with the handbrake off?

Phil

It does indeed. And unlocks when moved out of Park.