Defender not selecting Low Range

[William'sblue]

As mentioned, we went away at the weekend and used William on more than a trip to Woolworths. I was kicked out of the driving seat when it was discovered that I couldn't select low range. Had lots of chaps doing things and they couldn't work it out. I have no idea what they did but I will copy and paste a question one of them posted on another site for me!

I have searched the previous threads with keywords of "engage low range" and the threads I can find seem to deal with automatics and discoverys mostly so I am not sure if the info is relevant as mine is manual defender!

Hi All

A mate bought a 1993 Defender (200TDI)

We can't get low range, at first we looked at the linkage at the shifter and
found the pin was disconnected but that fixed still no low range, the shifter is moving the linkages to the box.

Is this a common issue or a lager prob.
As none of us know anything bout the defenders thought i'd ask in case there's an easy fix before removing the TC.

Thanks Pep

Once shifter is in low range you can still drive like normal forward or reverse, if feels like no change at all from High Range


Yes we moved the shifter towards the driver seat and we could see the shifter moving the shaft in and out.

(my turn for stupid Qs. https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ )

1. When selecting diff lock, it should still select low or high range?
Cause we had no ratio change.

2. Am i to understand that the 4wd light does not come on when in low range but only comes on when diff is lock?

We weren't paying attention to the 4wd light on the dash, but I'll get him to see what it does

Sorry dunno know much bout these beasts tho I'm getting an appreciation for them.

Pep

Hope this makes sense to someone. If there is anything I can try before sending it to a mechanic and buying him his next holiday I would appreciate it!

[Jojo]

Usually the linkage doesn't work due to neglect and lack of previous use. A fair bit of lubrication helps, combined with some gentle force.
Diff lock can be engaged independently, which will be indicated by an icon on the dash (if done successfully). It may take some distance of driving until it comes on. Your vehicles doesn't have a 4WD-light (only diff lock warning) as it features permanent four-wheel-drive.

[isuzurover]

Are you moving the lever back (towards the seats) or just side-side?

Side-side just (dis)engages the diff lock, as shown by the dash light. Front-Back changes between high and low.

[William'sblue]

Hello, thanks to all for suggestions. Had a look at the weekend and I now have low range. Just need to arrange another trip out to play with it!

Here is the explanation if anyone ever encounters similar. Thread can be found on Rover section of outerlimits forum.

......

We removed the inspection cover under the center console.
Traced the linkage arm back to the TC and saw that it was moving the shaft into the TC.
Removed the section off the TC where the arm goes (6 LONG bolts) and found that there is a grub screw
that then turns an arm which pushes a lever in the TC, (hope this makes sense https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ )
and the grub screw had come undone, 1 allen key and some locktight and VOILA (sorry ment PEARLA MATE) working low range.

And what a low range these things have, i'd be happy if my GUII had that low of gearing.

Pretty simple fix in the end.

Thank you all once again
Pep and WillamBlue (from ALRO)

[vnx205]

That sounds like the same thing that happened to mine, except that I couldn't select either high or low range.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/65595-transfer-case-problem.html#post834983