Thread: Disco wont engage any gear, no power to transmission

Hi all, first time posting. I have a 2001 Disco II TD5 Auto. On the weekend while driving on the freeway sitting at about a 100kmh and towing a boat, the car in front slowed down so i slowed by taking my foot off the accelerator briefly but when I went to accelerate again there was just no power, as if i was in neutral. I tried braking slightly then accelerate again but still no power at all. Luckily was able to coast into the emergency lane and came to a stop. I placed the shifter in to Park then back to Drive but still nothing. I tried cycling it through all the PRND321 but still nothing at all. I turned the engine off then on again but no change. I noticed however, when shifting from R into P there was a clear grinding noise coming from the transmission so I just turned it off before placing in back into P. Eventually i had the car towed home.

Reading online, some posts say it might be the XYZ switch or the brake light switch? In recent times, to start the car I've had to push the shifter hard into P but once it started I've never had a issue. It has a couple of times over the last year clicked into the 'lame mode' with the M and S indicators flashing on the dash. This is very rare though and usually only appeared to happen when i accidentally went from R to D too fast after reversing out of the driveway. When it did happen, just turning the engine off, waiting 5 secs then starting again usually fixes it. Other than that when I put my foot on the breaks the tail lights come on like normal so i dont' know if that rules out the break light switch? There is also no visible leak from the transmission oil or cooling pipes, i've read somewhere that could be the cause. The car starts perfectly each time so it must register P ok, not sure if that is how it works though?
I haven't checked the transmission oil level but will try to do tomorrow. I don't have a code reader either unfortunately.

What is weird is just how sudden it occurred while driving at 100 kmh, makes me think it is not something mechanical but rather electrical or transmission oil related...? Also, I replaced the battery only a week ago but didn't think that would have been a factor?
Anyway, I'm definitely at the novice end of the home mechanic capability so any help/advice would be much appreciated.
Cheers
Marty

What a result!