QuestionHi John!
I have spent days searching the archives for something that sounds similar to my problem. But I have not found a thread addressing all of these at once.
Two weeks ago, my 95 Discovery (automatic) was working pretty good (for having 200,000 miles on it). Then all of a sudden it didn't start. The courtesy beep at this point is functioning normally. The key got stuck in the ignition that same day so I had to leave the key in there for about 2 days. I proceeded to have it towed and the tow truck guy told me that the car was still moving with the parking break up and that it wouldn't stay in park at all. So i proceeded to have a mechanic replace the starter motor, then the battery died from the key being stuck in the "I" position for 3 days. So i had the battery replaced and finally the key came out and it started. NOW, when i move the gear selector from P to R or D it just drifts like its in Neutral. When i press on the gas it doesn't move. Only when i return the gear selector to park do i hear this horrible noise in addition to the courtesy beep staying on as if someone just died on an operating table. However, if i engage the part-time 4-wheel-drive it will go into Drive, reverse, all the gears and move like normal. Is it me? I refuse to just believe that it's the transmission since it was working fine before my starter motor was replaced AND the 4-wheel drive works. Have you heard of this happening to the gear shift, the ignition, and the courtesy beep all at the same time before? Any suggestions?
AnswerHi Lauren,
could it be just a bad coincidence to have these problems? Courtesy chime could indicate the door switch sensor is failing. If the door switch is not working it could send the wrong signal to the security ECU which might prevent the engine from starting, etc.
Key stuck in ignition is just unfortunate. I've had this happen to my '95 a couple of times. Seems the tumbler wears down the key and the metal filings can jam up the lock. Ask for some lock lubricant at your local parts shop and put a dab on your key. Repeatedly insert and remove the key until you feel the tumblers are well lubricated.
Make sure you have your gearbox shifted on High and that you don't have your axles locked. If you rarely move that small shifter, it can stop functioning. Somehow, if the tow truck operator or the starter mechanic shifted that out of place, you could be seeing the results.
There is also a common problem with the park / neutral switch that can stop functioning. Only a LR mechanic could tell you if this is really the problem.
If you need to find a independent LR mechanic, send me an email and include the general area where you'd have your Disco repaired (ie. Spokane, Waterbury, ...) I'll look around and try to find one for you - based on other LR owners ratings.
Best of luck,
JohnMc
jmcinnis64@hotmail.com
