2001 discovery SE7 stuck in park. Need help please!

[Chriswhite94]

Hi everyone, this is my first post on here, as my dad recently gave me his 2001 disco that has been in storage for 3 years. I don't know a whole lot about landrovers but I'm hoping some friendly advice can help pinpoint the problem. So hears what's going on, sometimes I can start the motor with the key, sometimes I can't, when I can't I touch the starter with a screw driver and she fires up right away.

When the disco is running, all of the lights on the dashboard stay on, including the M and S lights, and the shifter refuses to move out of park, unless I open the shifter casing and press the little button allowing me to temporarily drive the vehicle (in limp mode??). Also the turn signals do not work, the 4 ways do not work, the sunroofs do not work and my front power windows do not work.

Someone suggested a bad brake switch, but my brake lights work.
Also upon taking it out of storage I replaced the battery with a used one from the wreckers.

Could this be the result of a bad xyz switch?

I'm only 19, and as I said I don't know a whole lot about LR, so any kind of help or advise would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all.

[ANDYD]

Hi Chris,

Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you have quite a few different issues going on, the electrical gremlins can be hard to trace but we can start with a few basics ...
With the Discoveries it is crucial that you have an excellent battery in top condition. A bad battery will give you low volatge / low amps and can do funny things to the computor. It could also cause you starting problems.
I expect you are aware that you need to have your foot on the brake pedal to be able to move the shifter out of Park?
There is a switch and relay that when you put your foot on the brake pedal it releases the lock on the shifter. Faults with this are fairly common and you should be able to google some fault finding info on this.

Basically,to start I would recomend the following;
1. Get the battery tested to confirm it is 100% good (for voltage and amps) If in any doubt, replace with a new one.
2. Check all your fuses, pull each one out (one at a time) and inspect each one for any black burn marks. Test each one with a multi-meter if you have one.
2. Get a diagnostic check done, this involves a 15 minute ($30) plug in test on a shop computer that will tell you the status of the computor, sensors, electrical equipment and will give out codes pinpointing any issues.

Good luck, let us know how you get on ...
cheers,
Andy

[PaavScan]

Hi Chris

Here is a link to the manuals

http://www.landroverresource.com/

[Crs]

When you check the battery, it needs to be tested 'under load.' Just putting a meter across the terminals won't do it, unfortunately. However, many shops will test batteries for free, just do a google in your area.

[Chriswhite94]

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated.

So I started off by checking my battery with a multimeter and the numbers appear to be good, but then I noticed someone's comment stating a multimeter is not sufficient enough, so I will be heading to a shop to get it properly tested.

I have checked out all my fuses, and we're looking good there.

Yes Andy I do have my foot on the brake when attempting to move the shifter. But I have noticed that if I turn the key halfway so that the dashboard lights up, I can hear the tranny unlocking and I am able to move the shifter. Only when I start the motor, the shifter locks into park.

I had a LR expert come over and do some diagnostics last week, came up with a few codes, he cleared those, and after 3 hours the problem was not fixed and he walked away clueless.


Thanks guys

Chris

[Crs]

I'm not an expert, but I think you can test it with the multimeter if you watch the numbers carefully and measure WHILE CRANKING THE ENGINE. Of course, things could start, so fingers, meter leads and everything else must be out of the way of all moving parts. Second of course, you need a partner in the driver's seat to crank the engine, or a multimeter with ridiculously long leads...

Easier to haul it out and take it to a shop....

[Rob]

I had the exact same problem on my 2001 Disco 2... was left sitting for a long time, battery went flat, boosted it to start it and the dash was a Christmas tree and it was in "limp mode". Was the battery, voltage was too low, screwed-up the computers (that's the technical term for it on a Disco :D ). For what it is worth, put in a battery that is known to be in good condition, that's what I did and the Lucas Gremlins were all scared away! Hopefully you'll have the same luck...

Cheers, Rob