Hi,

I've got an issue that's recently started on my newly aquired L322 4.4 V8 Petrol 2004. The car starts fine and I get the display showing that the car is in P, but more frequently when I move the selector into Reverse I get Trans Failsafe Prog. If I stop the car, unplug the key and try again it all seems fine and I can drive the car around all day, stopping and starting with no further issues. Once driving the car goes into Manual Mode fine and back into auto with no issues what so ever.

Today the car went into reverse fine, but then when I put it into Drive the error came up. Again turn off, remove key, restart and didn't have the problem again all day.

I plugged in the diagnostic reader and it's come up with P0705 Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDL Input).

Any help much appreciated

Thanks

Tony

Could be a seized or seizing gear level selector rod, but this is usually evidenced by not being able to select a gear at all? Perhaps the nut has worked loose? You will need to get under the car and check the selector rod is well lubricated and correctly fitted and adjusted. .
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

Thanks, I'll check that out.

Joe90 wrote:

Could be a seized or seizing gear level selector rod, but this is usually evidenced by not being able to select a gear at all? Perhaps the nut has worked loose? You will need to get under the car and check the selector rod is well lubricated and correctly fitted and adjusted.

Might be worth getting the inhibitor switch apart and giving it a clean

Thanks Phil, I did think that might be on the cards after looking at a load of posts on the forum.

I just thought it was weird how it only happens the once at first start each of the days it's happened.

Cheers

Hi. I had the trans failsafe program warning pop up and the car would not start in P or, if it did, it would go into reverse with a thud and show the same message. I found an inhibitor switch at a reasonable price and imported it along with many other things prior Brexit. Turned out it was the battery though. I would first rule out the battery and then look into the inhibitor switch. Stealers here charge €1200 + VAT + labour. Got mine new for a third of that, so worth investing in one, especially if you can source it locally.

PS: BMW X5 uses an identical switch but the cable's too short.

Thanks, I did consider it being the battery as I didn't know how long the old one had been on there for, so I just fitted a new one last week. it's done this twice now since , so guessing it might not have been the battery, either that or I have a power drain somewhere. I have gone back to the car after 10 minutes and can see that the light has gone off next to the "P" by the gear lever so it seems to be going to sleep.

Anyway I'm going to install the old battery in the boot as a secondary battery, as I've tested it and it seems to be holding a charge in the garage at the moment.

Cheers

Assuming you have checked the alternator output and used a proper battery, perhaps you should check the voltage in the morning having left the car parked overnight, in hopes it would be okay.
I would much prefer dealing with a dodgy inhibitor switch than chasing battery draining gremlins.
If the battery checks out okay, then giving the switch a good clean would be the next port of call. You will have to drill the rivets to take it apart then use bolts and nuts to put it back together iirc.
If it turns out to be the switch i.e. a good cleaning cures the problem, then you could save a penny and wait to have mine at the cost of regular shipping, sometime in fall as I will be installing the new one regardless before winter. The only issue with it, is the plastic cable sheath which has disintegrated over the bell housing. An easy replacement.

So just checking voltages quickly:

Old battery in garage - been disconnected since last week - 12.5v

New battery in car:

Engine off (stood since Saturday afternoon) - 12.37v
Engine turn over - couldn’t see as I was on my own
Engine started and running at fast idle - 14.8v (ran at fast idle for 30 seconds or so)
Engine started and normal idle - 14.0 (although my meter showed wavering 13.8 - 14.0)

To me that battery voltage looks low before I’ve even started the engine and for the first time ever I had Trans Prog error as soon as I put the key in the ignition.

Seems like the alternator is doing its job and that you might be after some drain then...

One observation: sometimes the P would not light up when I got trans failsafe upon inserting the key.

I did notice before that when it went into Trans fail I lost the gear display on the dash and also rear camera stopped working.

So it's a battery drain / low voltage problem, most likely
Is your rear wiper working? Are your headlamp wipers functional?

Rear wiper works fine, will check headlamp wipers today.

So this morning I started the car, just drove to work and no issues at all.

I haven’t checked voltages today as I didn’t have time, but last night I ejected the navigation cd and closed the odb cover that has been left open. No idea if either of these have any things to do with no issues this morning or not. Will check voltages later.