Land Rover Repair: gear lever locked on Park, negative battery cable, land rover discovery

Question
Guys,i'm in the middle of a wedding party & my '97 land rover discovery just got stuck on park in my driveway!-i need help NOW!-is anyone out there?
Tried to put it on brake (hand & foot)....  

Answer
Hello Wai,

What a time to have Disco problems...


sounds like a transmission or TCU (torque converter unit) problem.  If the TCU detects a serious problem, it can prevent the transmission from engaging gears.  You could try resetting the fault codes:  disconnect the negative battery cable for a few seconds.  Reattach the cable, enter the radio/CD security code, set clock time and then try to start engine.

I have heard of this proble but it usually happens to Range Rovers.   I'll look around the net to see if someone else has a fix for this.

I hope I'm not too late with the assistance,

JohnMc

**** Follow up **************

Some owners have suggested this is either a battery problem or the main fusible link in the engine bay fuse box has blown (I think its got one in a S1, the S2 certainly has). This is a big 100A or more fuse which protects against dead shorts in unfused circuits. It might be a fault in the alternator or something, if this has gone, but check the battery and fuse first.

Most believe its the immobiliser receiver in the steering column that needs replacing.  If this is true, not much you can do in your driveway.  

I did have one owner suggest the ignition barrel could be at fault. He states that his Td5 did this once.  Not sure if this is your problem but I wanted to mention it.  He shot locktite fluid into his steering column ignition barrel and worked feverishly to get his key to eventually turn.  Dealer replaced the barrel and problem solved.

I wish I could do more for you.  Regardless, enjoy the wedding and I hope the weather behaves better than your Disco.

JohnMc