Hello all, I’m new here having been a lurker for a short while, enjoying the fantastic knowledge shared in these pages!

I have joined up as despite in depth searches I can’t seem to find anyone with the same issue as me & im hoping by posting there that someone may know what I need to do to solve my problem!

I have a 2010 3.6 TDV8 vogue and when I bought it, it had a gearbox fault warning on the dash which when scanned with my code reader gave a gearshift lock solenoid fault.
I have changed the shifter and that has resolved that error code, great!

My problem is that now, when the engine is not running, so just ignition on, I have no errors on the dash (great!), however as soon as I start the engine the gearbox fault warning is displayed and upon scanning I now see the code ‘P181D-00’ ‘clutch actuator changeover solenoid - range / performance’

I should add that when runnig and with the gearbox fault warning on screen the terrain response programs are unavailable and the wheel in the centre console doesn’t illuminate. Nor does the high / low range switch react (although high range is illuminated).
Air suspension adjustment works perfectly.

I have been underneath and removed the Bosch actuator responsible for shifting ranges. All wiring and connectors look good and the motor runs freely when bench tested.

I have cleaned up the transfer box to body earth strap and checked the other connectors on the transfer box. I have removed the position sensor and this appears in good shape. I haven’t removed the other small motor / solenoid from the transfer box as this appears to only be removable when active.

PLEASE CAN YOU HELP?!
Is there anything else I should be checking?

The vehicle has a brand new Yuasa battery and the TCCM underneath the scuttle panel is in fine shape with no visible corrosion to speak of.

Many thanks in advance for any advice you can give me!

have a look here, some useful info that could help

https://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic68809.html?highlight=p181d

I saw a post recently with a similar fault, try switching your main lights on before starting the engine, something to do with a bad earth crimp, but if you put the lights on it provides another earth path!

Worth a try! L405 SV Autobiography LWB SDV8, finished in Aston Martin China Grey by ETO division.

Thanks for the responses guys.
I have test the wiring from the solenoid and cannot find evidence of a broken wire (continuity testing to TCCM ECU relevant pins checks out), as does the resistance testing on the actuator / solenoid itself, but nonetheless I’ve ordered a new solenoid just in case so we will see if that works!

PS I did try the headlight trick too but unfortunately that didn’t help!

Any further advice would be greatly appreciate!

I’m assuming this is you?



Like the content you do, watched you for some time and hope someone here can help. They are a source of great wisdom (mostly ) so fingers crossed you’ll get the last issue fixed.

Best of luck,
Jon

Yes that’s me, thanks for watching!

To update this thread - basically the car is not showing any faults when scanned (even with a GAP tool), however the gearbox fault warning still shows on the binnacle, but only when the engine is running…

With the engine not running but ignition on, the are no faults shown in scanner or on binnacle, and I can cycle through the terrain response options successfully, but as soon as I start the engine, whereas there are still no codes when scanned, the gearbox fault shows on the dash and when trying to use the terrain response selector, I get the notification that terrain response is unavailable.

I need to figure out what could be causing these faults, just when the engine is running!

As always - any advice or suggestions gratefully received!

Really stupid answer coming up…….and it is, surely?……..can you try running her with the alternator disconnected or without the belt to see if something ‘that end’ is spiking the gearbox fault. Clutching at straws I know. Nice YouTube channel chap, entertaining 😁 2012 Orkney Grey Westminster 4.4TDV8 with Ivory interior.........nice!
Alfa Romeo Giulietta
Just one Montesa now, 349 White Wonder
Austin A40 Farina MK2
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As you seem to have tried everything else, could it be a faulty ignition switch? John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

How would that throw a gearbox fault?

J

My thoughts were that there isn't an actual gearbox fault but that there is some short through the switch to the panel. Grasping at straws I know but it was just a thought.

Probably a daft one!  John
2008 Stornoway Grey 3.6 Tdv8 Vogue - SOLD
2005 TD6 Java Black Vogue - Written off!!
GAP iiD BT-Sold

Fair one, something is causing a “spike” in the status of the fault.

@johnny - what codes does it show once running and fault showing again? Is it the same as you had to start with? Has it been scanned with the GAP tool after changing the solenoid on the transfer box?

J

Answered my own question by watching the last couple of minutes again.

One possible thing to try is that the replacement shifter (with the solenoid you thought was bad on the original part) could also have been faulty. Assuming it’s come from a breaker then it’s not necessarily a known good part. Would it be worth swapping with someone who has a known working one just to eliminate it?

J

IIRC there is a re calibration that can be done for the shift motor, I take it you have tried that..?? Pete
__________________________________________________
2014 L405 Autobiography SDV8 4.4 Loire Blue Ebony interior
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2011 L322 Vogue SE 4.4 TDV8 Baltic Blue. Sold
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-Click for Project Fatty off roader-

Check the part number on your old shifter and the new shifter are the same. Slight variances can cause all sorts of problems.

If you have an IID tool you can do a calibration on the transfer box which might cure the problem.

David. 2002 4.6 Vogue SE - Alveston Red with Lightstone Leather
2012 Range Rover 5.0 SC Autobiography in Indus Silver with Jet/Ivory Interior
2012 Range Rover 4.4 TDV8 Autobiography in Baltic Blue with Sand Interior
2013 Range Rover Sport SDV6 HSE Black Edition in Santorini Black with Ebony Interior

Hi all, thanks everyone for your suggestions. To clarify a few areas:

1. I have fitted a brand new Yuasa battery (although my scanner can’t battery match this to the Range Rover - Im unsure if that would cause issues like I’m experiencing…)

2. I have checked the earth strap from transfer case to body and cleaned up the contact faces

3. I swapped in a complete shifter with all solenoids in place which did eliminate the original ‘shift lock solenoid’ fault I had, but as soon as i got away from that fault, the gearbox fault code changed to P181-00 (but only when running)

RE re-calibration of shift motor. I’m unsure if there is a way to do this without a GAP tool, but i have tried the ‘re-learn’ procedure whereby the ignition is switched on with throttle peddle depressed, then ignition turned off etc, and this seems to have helped with one of my very first complaints - that the gearbox hung in 3rd a little too long…The truck now drives absolute perfectly throughout the gears (inspite of the gearbox fault on the dash)

RE IID tool…I am absolutely prepared to purchase a tool, but am i right in assuming that each time you wish to use it with a new VIN, you have to pay a fee to GAP? With the amount of different vehicles coming and going through my hands, it’d be useful to be able to use the GAP tool on other LR vehicles without having to pay for the privilege each time!