8 speed shift lock solenoid problems

As expected I received the LR fob off to my email outlining safety concerns about rotary controller shift lock failure.

They said they could not comnent on my or any other diagnosis and to take the car to the dealer for proper diagnosis....but did not offer to pay for it.

They did not advise that any further action would be taken.

Pretty ordinary given they could easily check on parts supply or repair data which they would have access to...or promise to report the issue to LR UK for further investigation.

Mmm.....

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Originally Posted by Mattblack59bus

In regards to the bumping the shift selector risk, in my testing the gear box will not select a drive mode without the brake pedal being pressed at the time of the gear change. I would recommend you test this in a safe location

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Correct - With the shift lock tied permanently out of the way the shift dial still clicks when rotated with the same amount of resistance as before (with the brake pedal depressed), so it's highly unlikely to be accidentally bumped to another position when driving. My main concern was whether I was exposing the vehicle to potential gearbox destruction if the selector was somehow bumped from D to R while cruising >100km/h.

I haven't actually tested while in motion, but confirmed that if I rotate the selector without my foot on the brake, the gearbox drops out of gear into Neutral and the gear indicator flashes. Then you need to rotate the selector all the way around to Park to reset it, then press the brake pedal, select D or R and you're off again. Based on this, as far as I can see, the only risk disabling the shift lock permanently is if the dial is rotated while driving at speed in heavy traffic, you can't simply click into N and back to D - you have to bring the vehicle to a stop first.

I spend a lot of time off road, and my Disco has been through some pretty crazy terrain. Since the shift lock issue this week I have recalled countless precarious situations I have been in off road that could have ended in disaster had the problem occurred at the wrong moment (get hooked up on an unseen rock halfway across a deep river crossing, loose traction on a steep, loose uphill and need to reverse to try another line, etc...) that at this stage I plan to leave my shift lock disabled unless anyone can convince me otherwise.

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Originally Posted by Victim

.... at this stage I plan to leave my shift lock disabled .....

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Your thinking on the risk/reward balance of this seems reasonable to me. However, if the shift lock is actually functioning and you disable it, I assume the solenoid would still be trying to operate the lock. So I'm thinking leaving it disabled is only an option when it has failed already, unless you went further and disconnected the solenoid.

Regards,
Scott

Yes the solonoid if working will still try to do its job if the mechanism is tied back. I think being spring loaded it has buffering and is not position sensitive ie it is powered up normally thereby retracted so tieing it back causes no drama.

Released it has no power so tied back makes no difference.

Since the fix mine is working fine.

Hi there - been reading this thread over the past few days and seriously thinking about carrying a spare on our next trip out west (Broken Hill, Flinders etc) - seems like a necessary addition to our spares box!

Quick question - if I purchase one, is is a simple swap process in the middle of nowhere or is it a complicated process with a 'grey' outcome?

Been blissfully exploring Vic, tas, Qld expecting the knob to rise as required - never thought about it!

Many thanks in advance! PS I'm getting TSC jitters!

cheers
Grahame

2015/16 D4 TDV6

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Originally Posted by hiker

seems like a necessary addition to our spares

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You have seen the price of them yeah? I guess if you find one second hand.....

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Originally Posted by hiker

..... if I purchase one, is is a simple swap process in the middle of nowhere or is it a complicated process with a 'grey' outcome?

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This is how I look at it .... virtually the same effort to effect the temporary shift lock retraction as per Marc's PDF instructions in this thread as it would be to replace the TCS but a lot cheaper (free). Just print the document and carry the required tools in the centre console.

Cheers,
Scott

Replacement is easy enough but LR says the unit needs to be configured to the car. However plenty of folks OS eg with jags have installed new and 2nd hand units without configuring them. The GAP Team say their 11D Tool can configure the unit but did not say how.

I've purchased a used one from the UK and intend to check out these issues once it gets here...next week hopefully. New unit is 880 A $.

Thanks Scott - really looking forward to your update!

I am trying to balance the cost of a spare with the stress and pressure of being in the middle of nowhere and trying to get to the next stop - I'm a semi retired traveller with a nervous wife/passenger!

Cheers
Grahame

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Originally Posted by INter674

Replacement is easy enough but LR says the unit needs to be configured to the car. However plenty of folks OS eg with jags have installed new and 2nd hand units without configuring them. The GAP Team say their 11D Tool can configure the unit but did not say how.

I've purchased a used one from the UK and intend to check out these issues once it gets here...next week hopefully. New unit is 880 A $.

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I think the likelihood of this ever happening while you’re remote is so remote, carrying a piece of paper and adding the necessary tools to the bag is more than enough prep. After all, where do you stop then with your spares regime? Sod’s law is the only thing that will break you won’t be carrying anyhow!