96 disco won't drive

[WayneR]

Had a great long week-end exploring the back country, however on my way home ran into a problem. I came to a stop light, & the truck wouldn't take off. The engine didn't quite, & no sounds out of the norm occured. It is a 5 speed.
I tried all gears, even reverse, nothing. I made sure the the gear box was in gear, not netrual. I can shift into all gears & can shift the gearbox into high, low & engage the diff lock. but still nothing.
I don't think its the clutch - wasn't slipping before hand, & no clutch burning smells. I can start the vehicle in gear & it won't jump.

So before I go looking for a new R380 or LT230, thought I would run it by you guys for some feed back.

[Dave_F]

Check all of your linkages where the levers go into the gearbox and transfer case. I once had a clip work loose after wheeling for the day.

I also recently lost all gears on my Defender R380, turns out that the screw that holds the selector fork on the shaft had worked itself loose.

Had to pull the transfer case to repair....argh all for a .10 part.

good luck.

[Greg S]

Check all of your linkages where the levers go into the gearbox and transfer case. I once had a clip work loose after wheeling for the day.

I also recently lost all gears on my Defender R380, turns out that the screw that holds the selector fork on the shaft had worked itself loose.

Had to pull the transfer case to repair....argh all for a .10 part.

good luck.

Sounds awfully familiar! Were you writing this relating your experience, or mine?

[Dave_F]

Wish it was your experience...but alas, 'twas mine. :(

[ANDYD]

Is it a factory fitted clutch and 5 speed box or was it originally an auto and has since been converted?

[red90]

Does it seem that the gearbox is turning? Is there gearbox noise and the feeling of gear meshing? Does the same happen with the transfer case?

I would probably pull the PTO cover first and see if the gearbox output is spinning. This will help narrow down where to start looking.

[WayneR]

All linkages are tight & operating properly.

[WayneR]

Is it a factory fitted clutch and 5 speed box or was it originally an auto and has since been converted?

it is factory fitted.

[WayneR]

Does it seem that the gearbox is turning? Is there gearbox noise and the feeling of gear meshing? Does the same happen with the transfer case?

I would probably pull the PTO cover first and see if the gearbox output is spinning. This will help narrow down where to start looking.

no strange noises, all seems to be operating normal. shifitng in & out of gears and shifting hi/lo seems like it always has.

[discojonny]

I agree with rde90 try the pto cover to see if it is the trans. or the transfer case. I also had the set screw come loose in my r380 but it was after I had disturbed it. My money would be on the linkage to the transfer case.

[WayneR]

update - got truck towed home this past week end. Pulled centre console out & confirmed all linkages still intact on topside. Pulled off inspection plate -all looks good, no chipped teeth, no metal filings, etc. Able to see gear selector move in & out of hi/low gear properly with plate off.
so now I guess I pull the PTO cover? Best to do while still in truck or pull t case?

[discojonny]

can you confirm you have power coming into the t-case? The transmission is ok? as you see the t-case is pretty simple. have you checked your shifter on the transmission. with the center console out it is pretty easy to open the top of the transmission to check the shifter ball and linkage inside. It sounds likely that it is in the tranny. good luck. if you are near north van I can come have a look.

[WayneR]

can you confirm you have power coming into the t-case? The transmission is ok? as you see the t-case is pretty simple. have you checked your shifter on the transmission. with the center console out it is pretty easy to open the top of the transmission to check the shifter ball and linkage inside. It sounds likely that it is in the tranny. good luck. if you are near north van I can come have a look.

pretty sure the tranny is shifting fine, will check while the console is off. however it could very well be the tranny not the shifting linkage.
I think I will check the top of the tranny first as you mention. Then remove the pto cover and see if anything is moving behind it.

[red90]

You can pull the PTO cover on the truck. See if the gearbox output (shaft in the middle) is turning.