Thread: 1997 DISCOVERY 1 AUTO WON'T MOVE IN DRIVE

1997 Discovery 1 automatic.
I have a very annoying intermittent problem which leaves me stranded sometimes.
Symptoms:
Won't move forward in drive, particularly when parked on a hill.
Won't idle smoothly when this happens.

Happens more when tank is low but not always.
On flat ground will eventually move when it is warmer, but randomly fails to move in Drive during a journey when I stop at a roundabout or point it toward a hill.
Yesterday it failed to move in Drive at a roundabout and wouldn't even click over. I clicked through the Park, Drive, N, 1,2 and 3 and then it started again and moved a short distance in Drive but then wouldn't move at all, but was running, so I left it where it was and walked to work.
I have had this advice:
Your shift linkage needs to be adjusted, when you think you are in drive you are actually half way between neutral and drive so the transmission is slipping when under load because it is not fully in gear.
Pop the trim piece off of the top of the gear shift knob, inside should be a nut, with the shifter in park tighten that nut.
Experiment with the tightness until the transmission acts and shifts the way you feel is normal.

Now, how on earth do I get the gear knob off easily? Remembering that I am a 55 year old female who isn't very physically strong due to injuries. Anyway, any help would be much appreciated.

Any clues??

The first thing I did was check the transmission fluid and it was perfect......I had a service 4 weeks ago.
justinc I will give you a call tomorrow and pick your brain. Thanks.