Land Rover Repair: 03 Disco tranny S+M lights flash, automatic gearbox, land rover dealership

Question
Hi, I have a 03 discovery, and everynow and then it wont start, it wont even crank but if I wait a few minutes and try it again it fires right up.  I have replaced the battery because every now and then the sport mode and manual mode lights will flash on the instrument panel and the car will stay in 2nd gear and the land rover dealership I called suggested to try and change the battery but that did not help.  My check engine light came on and the code I got was a Transmission range sensor malfunction. What is this and where is it at? can it be fixed by someone other then the dealership?  Thanks alot

Answer
Hi JR,

as you may know (and found in your owner's manual),S + M lights flashing usually indicate electrical faults with the automatic gearbox.  

The no start problem is when the Disco goes into a "limp home" mode - ability to drive (sort of) when errors are detected.  Other owners have mentioned that a wheel sensor fault can trigger the S+M fault, one owner mentioned that his rear differential seized (under warranty).

So if you suspect your LR dealership is riding out your warranty - take your Disco to another dealer.  It has to be an electrical fault somewhere and obviously, with a new battery, this is not the cause.

Best of luck,
JohnMc