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[bootzey]

Hi. This is new thread but relates to a previous thread as there's more info.

This problem happens even if the engine isn't running. The car is fine if driven in 3rd but is obviously very expensive.

With the ignition switched on, engine running or not, and the car in drive it takes roughly 30 seconds for the TC and spanner lights to come on there's also a sound from the gearbox.

When moving the gear lever the gearbox lights all flicker, sometimes all lighting up before settling down but in Drive they all stay on. The snow and sport switches don't work when it's like this either.

This happens regardless of the TC being switched on or not.

Kevin has mentioned the selector switch which I'm aiming to look at when the rain stops...probably in the spring!

However, the lights will all flicker even when the gear leaver is wobbled just slightly and the selector switch isn't operated by moving between 1 and P.

So the question is (eventually)...Is there an electrical connection either at the base or through the gear lever under the gator that could cause this problem?

I've always suspected there's an electrical problem with the car. When I park at my local shop the parking lights come on when the ignition is switched off...yes, only at my local shop facing a certain way at a specific spot. I get more MPG with the MAF unplugged. The air con doesn't work any more. The fuel gauge seems to have a mind of it's own...there's always more fuel indicated when I get back to the car...even when I'm driving sometimes! When I'm under the rear of the car with it ticking over I can hear the fuel pump stumble simultaneously with the revs stumble. There's others but I won't bore you with them. Starting to think it's the end of the road for this car.

[Andy H]

Hi. This is new thread but relates to a previous thread as there's more info.

This problem happens even if the engine isn't running. The car is fine if driven in 3rd but is obviously very expensive.

With the ignition switched on, engine running or not, and the car in drive it takes roughly 30 seconds for the TC and spanner lights to come on there's also a sound from the gearbox.

When moving the gear lever the gearbox lights all flicker, sometimes all lighting up before settling down but in Drive they all stay on. The snow and sport switches don't work when it's like this either.Classic selector switch symptoms

This happens regardless of the TC being switched on or not.

Kevin has mentioned the selector switch which I'm aiming to look at when the rain stops...probably in the spring!

However, the lights will all flicker even when the gear leaver is wobbled just slightly and the selector switch isn't operated by moving between 1 and P.Selector switch

So the question is (eventually)...Is there an electrical connection either at the base or through the gear lever under the gator that could cause this problem?Selector switch

I've always suspected there's an electrical problem with the car. When I park at my local shop the parking lights come on when the ignition is switched off...yes, only at my local shop facing a certain way at a specific spot. I get more MPG with the MAF unplugged. indicates that the MAF might be faulty, could be be other things though so it needs to be looked at with a good code reader that can show 'live values'The air con doesn't work any more. The fuel gauge seems to have a mind of it's own...there's always more fuel indicated when I get back to the car...even when I'm driving sometimes! When I'm under the rear of the car with it ticking over I can hear the fuel pump stumble simultaneously with the revs stumble.Fuel pump only runs when the ECU can sense a signal from the crank sensor - check for crank sensor codes There's others but I won't bore you with them. Starting to think it's the end of the road for this car.

[bootzey]

Cheers Andy.

Much the same view as Kev. Can't believe that a switch is almost the same cost as a whole gearbox! So I'm knackered now and looking at other ways that may cure this.

Since posting I've topped up with about 250ml of fluid. This is easily done with an empty Harpic or possibly even a Toilet Duck bottle...bit of info for the maintenance guide there possibly...cheaper that a garden sprayer.

I also noticed an adjuster about 6 inches behind the switch on the actuating lever. Had a play around with that to take up the slack.

What's happening now is that after a short run the gear lever lights seem to settle down in to the correct position after all being on at the same time...almost like the gearbox ECU is having a delayed reaction. Then at some random time it throws a wobbly for no apparent reason and they all come back on again, then 30 seconds later the spanner light and TC light come on. When I put it in to neutral and freewheel for a bit, switch the ignition off then restart the car, drop it in to Drive or 3rd is better, the lights turn off and it's fine till the next time which is whenever it decides too, rather something regular and predictable.

It's almost like there's a lose connection somewhere other than the selector switch that causes a short which confuses the gearbox. This also happens when stationary if I wobble the gear lever side to side. Is there current running through the actuating arms that join the selector switch and gear lever together? Cheers

[Kevin Wood]

Still sounds like the selector switch to me. Sometimes you can open them up and clean them with switch cleaner or similar. This often happens if the car has been driven through floods, and given recent weather... 

Oh, and the linkage adjustment has to be carried out following a specific procedure since the adjustment not only affects how the lever operates the selector switch, but also the hydraulic valves inside the gearbox that actually select the gears.

[Andy H]

Have a look at the guide Autogearbox selector switch removal & cleaning

You should try cleaning and adjustment before considering replacing the selector.

[bootzey]

Cheers for the input Guy's.

Oooops I'd put that bit back then.

Funny you mention the floods Kev. The car actually performs ok when wet!!! Selects the gears ok, changes to 4th earlier, is quicker changing down to 1st so it's more responsive, no flickering gear lever lights, no TC light and no spanner light. They it drys out and it all starts.

At one point whilst it was changing gear it revved to max (I just kept my foot in the same place n didn't back off the revs) then it changed gear. However, it blew the webbing stuff out of the rear box and all my other repairs blew as well so this might be why it's more responsive...sounds nice though lol

Just can't figure out why it should be the best it's ever been when it rains...more economical, changes gear and other things just seem better.

Could it be that the wet helps make an earthing perform better?

Any ideas anyone?

Thanks

[Andy H]

Have you cleaned and adjusted the switch?

[skyblue]

I have been following this post with interest as I have picked up the same problem.  The only difference I have noticed is, that hasnt been mentioned is, if I try and pull away in drive its like having the big white box on the back, but if I have it in 2nd on pullaway and once going I then  drop it, into drive and everything seems normal until I have to slow down again.

Am I right In thinking this is also the same problem as the original poster  is having