Stuck in low range P38

[Gippslander]

Went bush this afternoon and on the way home would not go into high range any ideas? Had to drive home in low range not happy!:mad:

[landyfever]

Might be the motor but Its quite common for the Transfer case ECU to fail.

[Gippslander]

Might be the motor but Its quite common for the Transfer case ECU to fail.
not a good thought but thanks for the info.

[RR P38]

Get under the RR and take a look at the transfer case and you will see a large solenoid hanging of the side of it, check the wires and connectors running to it.
You could also give it a bit of a tap while someone moves the gear shift to the correct position.
Sometimes they do need to sit a few seconds waiting for the signal to come from the brain to tell it to move.
If you are under it while doing this make sure you have a sensible person at the controls/hand brake on/chok the wheels and all that stuff.

[Grumbles]

If I was crawling under any EAS Rangie I'd want a door left open so that the EAS was immobillised. You don't want the car going into the "low" access position with you under it.

[p38arover]

If I was crawling under any EAS Rangie I'd want a door left open so that the EAS was immobillised. You don't want the car going into the "low" access position with you under it.

I won't crawl under one for that reason. I put chassis stands under mine. On the bump stops, the chassis is low enough to trap me if nothing else.

[Hoges]

Agree with Ron ... further if you're planning to venture out bush, carrying a set of 4 75x75x130mm hardwood blocks is better than nothing and they take up minimum room. Raise the suspension to 'high' and slip the blocks in between the bump stops and axle pads. Makes it completely safe and it's easier than carrying jack stands (though I do carry a set of stands in the camper trailer for long trips :angel:)...

[Gippslander]

Thanks for the replies i have given it a gentle tap after checking the wires fuse 11 and 20 no luck where is the electronic brain situated. Under the passenger seat? It seems to be trying to shift each time i move the lever it beeps and the gear indicator lights flash! not sure where to go next.

Frank.

[rovercare]

Thanks for the replies i have given it a gentle tap after checking the wires fuse 11 and 20 no luck where is the electronic brain situated. Under the passenger seat? It seems to be trying to shift each time i move the lever it beeps and the gear indicator lights flash! not sure where to go next.

Frank.

Yep, definately a ruined car, I'll have 3 grand cash for you and pick it up:D

[Gippslander]

i will stick with it for a while yet it goes offroad so well.

Frank

[roversmith]

Frank

The transfer case acctuator is an electic motor controled by the ecu under the passenger side front seat. Unfortunately they have a fault that when you change from one range to another the ecu doesnt cut the current to the acctuator motor once the range change is completed. this cooks the insulation in the motor and shorts out taking a couple of transitors in the controller with it. I think the acctuator motor has provision to rotate it manualy from under the car. Cant remember the direction of rotation, but as mentioned jack stands are very cheap insurance with air suspension.

Cheers Greg

[PaulP38a]

Hi Frank. Just curious, when the lights flash and it beeps does the message centre say something like "select transfer neutral"?
I've had mine do this when it thinks it is moving or not in neutral. A bit of playing around with the gearstick usually fixes the position sensor.
I know I've got to get up underneath mine one day and adjust the transmission lever, but your problem does sound a bit like this.
Cheers, Paul.

[redandy3575]

Chuck on some supertramp in the CD player and take the long way home:D

[Gippslander]

Unfortunately out of Supertramp but its a good thought. I have found the transmission ECU ERR 5881 but i don't know how to test it. Purchased one on line from England will install when it arrives. Going to pull the electric motor off today and see what it is like i can at least test it.
Figured i may as well get the ECU as if mine is ok i will have a spare. Plan on getting all electrical bits for spare just incase.
Thanks to all for the advice can anyone recommend a good supplier of parts like the ECU's and the change motor.

Frank

[Gippslander]

Took the back off the ECU and yes it is fried, removed the change motor and it tested ok found i could manually change from low to high with the shift mechanism as explained in an earlier post from roversmith. 3/4 turn to the right from low puts it in high. Also noted that you can hot wire motor if it is still ok by taking the computer lead off and hot wire the bottom two terminals by changing polarity the motor turns backward and forward. thanks again for the help

Frank

[bee utey]

Took the back off the ECU and yes it is fried, removed the change motor and it tested ok found i could manually change from low to high with the shift mechanism as explained in an earlier post from roversmith. 3/4 turn to the right from low puts it in high. Also noted that you can hot wire motor if it is still ok by taking the computer lead off and hot wire the bottom two terminals by changing polarity the motor turns backward and forward. thanks again for the help

Frank
An electric aerial manual raise-and-lower toggle switch (momentary DPDT centre off tooggle sw) would be a lot cheaper than an ECU to replace, should be easy to wire up temporarily.

[Vern]

Saw you out and about today, so your temporary fix must have worked:)

[Gippslander]

That must have been Monday i thought i saw you up the street. Yes it worked but had to go back to work so i am sitting offshore Malaysia thinking about next trip home and up the bush. Will have to catch up soon.
Frank