D-90 stuck in Park, Won't start. HELP!!!

[brianosaurus]

My wife and I stopped for gas about 20 miles short of our destination (after driving about 650 miles, and filling up.. uh.. 4 times).

After we filled the tank and were ready to go, the Defender would not start. It doesn't roll over. It doesn't even try. The battery seems to be OK (lights are still bright), and a jumpstart didn't work either. The really weird thing is that the car is stuck in Park. I can't shift to neutral. I can't move the Hi/Lo-4 shifter either (I tried, hoping maybe it would jiggle something lose, but it wouldn't budge).

We got a dolly tow to our destination, but given that its Xmas Eve we probably won't be able to get it to a shop until friday or perhaps monday.

Right now we suspect its the starter, but I'm not crawling under it in the rain until at least tomorrow (and hopefully it won't be raining). I figured I'd ask here to see if there's any other possibilities.

Any ideas anyone?

[rover4x4]

what year? the hi low really isnt that easy to move when you are st a stand still. I am gonna assume you have a 97. I think starter would be a good idea. check the wires on it something could be loose? milage year?

[chrisvonc]

I have had a problem like this with our Disco every once in a blue moon. Happens to me from shutting off the truck too fast before Park was fully engaged is all I can thing of. I have fixed it by turning the key all the way on, trying to shift to reverse and then jamming it back forward to Park. Turn off key and then try it. Since I park on a slight hill the truck does rock a little so maybe between that and the rocking what ever sensor is causing this gets reset. It's been a little while since it has happened so I can cant remember is I actually have gotten it into full reverse.

You should be able to move the diff lock from engaged to disengaged will not moving but ideally, you should be slowly rolling to shift between high and low.

Also, is there fluid in the trans?

Good luck, hopefully its just that.

[Doug]

Check to see if the brake lights are coming on. I have seen the brake light switch fail and lock Defender's in park on two different occasions. The switch connects to the mechanism that locks the car in park if brakes are not applied. The mechanism is fooled by the inoperative switch. The switch is located on top of the brake pedal housing near the firewall aft of the master cylinder. Cleaning the contacts might work.

Best of luck, and hope your holiday isn't completely ruined.

Doug

[brianosaurus]

Thanks for the replies, and thanks Doug for the brake switch tip! The brake lights are out, so that's probably it.

Hopefully we can find a shop nearby that's open tomorrow.

Oh yeah.. '97 d-90, about 36,000 miles.

[TDI Guy]

Brian... you can temporarily remove the wires from the brake light switch and jump them with a piece of wire to check if it will shift and if the brake lights go on. Then you could at least drive it. Then if its the switch, drive to the rover dealer, pick one up and screw the new one in right in the parking lot. Merry, Merry..

Randy

[brianosaurus]

Problem solved. Turns out it was a fuse.

Too bad I didn't check that first. I had checked the fuses under the hood, but didn't know about the other fusebox. Now I do ;)

I was checking out the switch, shorted the wires and still no go, so I followed the wires and found the fuses.

Anyway, we're rolling again. Thanks for all the help.

[chrisvonc]

Cool.. this is one for the new FAQ section when I get that pulled into the DB.

[KeithElisa]

Thank you Thank you Thank you. I just had the same problem and it was a fuse on my 97 D90. I was about to have it towed to the shop. This board just saved me a lot of money! :)

[Stmpede]

As long as this thread has been revived...When the brake light switch goes it usually will allow the veh. to start but will not allow it to be shifted out of part b/c the shift interlock solenoid is not receiving the signal from the switch as someone else mentioned. This is quite common on Disco IIs, so any of you with a disco II should take note of this.

One thing you can try to get it in gear and to the dealer is stabbing the brake pedal really quick and hard with your foot. Sometimes doing this one or many times will make the switch work intermittently and allow you to shift into gear and get moving.

Just a heads up.