auto box problems

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glenn74

New Member
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4
Hi guys,
i have a 1996 p38 4.6 v8 with an auto box,the problem is i can only select N D and 1,the shifter moves to the relevent position for all the other gears but it is not showing on the dash and these gears do not engage,i have taken it to the local dealer here in portugal for a diagnostics but they can not find any problem at all,any help is appreciated as having no reverse is a big problem
cheers
glenn
 
thanks guys,would this not show up on a diagnostics test though?

also would it be possible to repair the switch or is a new one required,

parts out here are very expensive and hard to come by,they just don't have auto boxes here
 
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I thought primary selection of forward and reverse was a manual process so I'm puzzled that it's not possible to select reverse. Might be worth checking the selector cable has not come loose. Shifting in D is controlled electronically and the XYZ switch indicates to the ECU and the display which gear is selected, but as far as I can see when it comes to reverse it's only operating the indicator, although I suppose if the ECU sees the code for a forward gear it might affect something. Does the parking pawl operate?
 
Datatek said:
I thought primary selection of forward and reverse was a manual process so I'm puzzled that it's not possible to select reverse. Might be worth checking the selector cable has not come loose. Shifting in D is controlled electronically and the XYZ switch indicates to the ECU and the display which gear is selected, but as far as I can see when it comes to reverse it's only operating the indicator, although I suppose if the ECU sees the code for a forward gear it might affect something. Does the parking pawl operate?
Click to expand...

The drive selection to the main forward and reverse clutches is indeed manual. However there also needs to be an electronic selection of additional clutches to engage both gears. This is to prevent reverse being engaged when the car is moving forwards or vice versa. Would think the XYZ switch is duff. Or the connections to it.
 
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Interesting comments Re: the XYZ switch, I have a niggiling problem with my 1998, 2.5 DSE
Lately whilst on motorway driving I have noticed the Display on dash flickering between D & 1. No problem with engaging any gears though.
Whilst I have had the flickering on the dash I have stopped and selected 3rd and it's shown as 2nd on the display but was actually in 3rd ??
Any clues, I'm assuming it may be an electrical gremling.
 
anorakmark said:
Interesting comments Re: the XYZ switch, I have a niggiling problem with my 1998, 2.5 DSE
Lately whilst on motorway driving I have noticed the Display on dash flickering between D & 1. No problem with engaging any gears though.
Whilst I have had the flickering on the dash I have stopped and selected 3rd and it's shown as 2nd on the display but was actually in 3rd ??
Any clues, I'm assuming it may be an electrical gremling.
Click to expand...

That certainly sounds like the XYZ switch, it's output is a binary code so if bit one contact is iffy, 3rd will show as 2nd for example.
Check the connections and give the switch assembly a workout with some contact cleaner and see if it improves.
 
hi guys,thanks for the advice on the xyz switch,i have had the switch off and opened it up and found the inside full of gunk and one of the contacts was broken,i managed to repair this and put the switch back on the car,i now have reverse and park,but now a new problem is i can only get reverse park and neutral,when i shift from park through the gears,everything is fine until i get to drive,the car displays neutral and after a couple of second i get a warning,traction failure,my battery is very low,could this be the problem? i have tried adjusting the switch and the cable is ok, thanks
 
i have just got the car started and all is working well,i just wanted to check this was the problem before i went ordering a switch,thanks again for all your help.
does anyone know where i can get a good second hand switch from and have it posted to Portugal,i'm a bit stuck out here for getting parts my motor
thanks
 
glenn74 said:
i have just got the car started and all is working well,i just wanted to check this was the problem before i went ordering a switch,thanks again for all your help.
does anyone know where i can get a good second hand switch from and have it posted to Portugal,i'm a bit stuck out here for getting parts my motor
thanks
Click to expand...

Try our sponsor Emmotts of Colne top of page:)
 
glenn74 said:
Hi guys,
i have a 1996 p38 4.6 v8 with an auto box,the problem is i can only select N D and 1,the shifter moves to the relevent position for all the other gears but it is not showing on the dash and these gears do not engage,i have taken it to the local dealer here in portugal for a diagnostics but they can not find any problem at all,any help is appreciated as having no reverse is a big problem
cheers
glenn
Click to expand...

There were two versions of the xyz switch. 95 t0 99 and 99 to 02 the earlier switch is much cheaper than the later one! (lucky you) You can tell the difference by the plug apparently, grey plug is the latest, black plug is probably the one you want..

STC4452 from (v) XA410482 (later type)

STC2944 to (v) WA387941
UHB100180 from (v)WA387941
................. to (v) WA 410481

Several second hand ones on ebay if cash tight.

You are supposed to use a special tool to put the switch in as there is a slot so the switch can be rotated a little when fitting. There used to be a getaround from a chap on www.rangerovers.net. He fitted his and moved the switch round until the lights all came on in the right sequence or something like that, will try to find it.

Found it http://www.rangerovers.net/repairdetails/drivetrain/transelector.html describes it in detail.
 
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Datatek said:
That certainly sounds like the XYZ switch, it's output is a binary code so if bit one contact is iffy, 3rd will show as 2nd for example.
Check the connections and give the switch assembly a workout with some contact cleaner and see if it improves.
Click to expand...

Thanks Keith,
Excellent reliable advice again, just for the record will this cause any transmission problem when selecting a gear or is it just sending the incorrect information to the cabin display.:)
 
anorakmark said:
Thanks Keith,
Excellent reliable advice again, just for the record will this cause any transmission problem when selecting a gear or is it just sending the incorrect information to the cabin display.:)
Click to expand...

The XYZ switch is used to tell the ECU which gear is selected, so if for example the switch is saying 3rd when you have selected D, the box will not shift beyond 3rd. You need to fix it or change it.
 
Datatek said:
The XYZ switch is used to tell the ECU which gear is selected, so if for example the switch is saying 3rd when you have selected D, the box will not shift beyond 3rd. You need to fix it or change it.
Click to expand...

Hmmmm, LOL. Now wondering what gremlin is playing around with mine.
Had no trouble with gear selection of auto change up & down but am getting an almost constant flash on the display showing D then 1 back and forth at an extremely fast rate.
When it is messing around and I select Netural I have nothing on display? and also if in messing about mode if I select 3 it shows 2. but all gear changes fine.
The gremlins are back :fighting:
 
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