Thread: No forward gears in auto 1997 disco v8

First I would check and see if it has any oil in it, then I would check that the gear change linkage was working and that the kickdown cable is connected and adjusted properly, Regards Frank.

theres definatly fluid in there. This was the reason why the previous owner had parked it up and was sold cheap. havent had much time to look at it thoroughly yet. im also wondering whether it would be hard to convert to a manual gearbox if it comes down to replacing the whole thing.

your better off getting a good second hand auto rather than converting it to manual.

the ZF boxes are very reliable behind the rover motor. they can be made to go suicidal I've killed 4, but to tell the honest truth I was trying pretty hard to see what I could break, but you have to be pretty over the top to do it (read that as stupid)

check out the like of Ritters or Triumph Rover Spares there is also British 4wds (I think that is the name of it)

assuming that the neutral start switch is doing its thing, and it will move in reverse then you may have done the first clutch pack.

Try this.


start the vehicle get the transmission working with reverse and back up somewhere it will roll forwards select 1 and give it a few revs, then if it makes any attempt to pick up select drive, if it holds some drive then upshifts its the primary planetaries clutch pack on the way out.

if it makes some attempt to move off but wont....

reverse up to where it will roll forwards. put it in neutral, select 1 low, once its moving put it in D build up about 15kph, then on the move slect neutral, high range then D it should pick second gear and keep moving untill you put it into a condition where it needs to put power on in first gear.

Originally Posted by blitz

your better off getting a good second hand auto rather than converting it to manual.

the ZF boxes are very reliable behind the rover motor. they can be made to go suicidal I've killed 4, but to tell the honest truth I was trying pretty hard to see what I could break, but you have to be pretty over the top to do it (read that as stupid)

check out the like of Ritters or Triumph Rover Spares there is also British 4wds (I think that is the name of it)

will do. decided to stay auto anyway as there'd be too much fiddling around converting. my 93 disco had a good auto box in it and boy didn't it take some punishment.