Series 3 Can't select High range 2WD (stuck selector) - FIXED

FRAJ · May 17, 2019

I have seen similar posts with this issue, which suggests that the selector shafts get seized up and can be freed off by removing the little cover (3 bolts) and cleaning up / oiling. But before I start on that job, does anyone know why the selector would suddenly seize solid, after working the last few weeks? I admit it did feel a bit stiff, but other posts I read it seemed to seize through lack of use.
Symptoms are: Left it in low range overnight, come morning I can't move the red lever back to high. However, I can move it IF I press the yellow knob at the same time, putting it in 4wd. It drives fine, the yellow pops back up when moving to low, the selector cover itself looks in good nick.
I guess I can use it, since it has free wheeling hubs? And assume I only need to remove the drivers floor (plus all the legacy silicone sealant) to get to it?
It's my first LR, only had it a few weeks.

Thanks

Turboman · May 17, 2019

FRAJ said:
I have seen similar posts with this issue, which suggests that the selector shafts get seized up and can be freed off by removing the little cover (3 bolts) and cleaning up / oiling. But before I start on that job, does anyone know why the selector would suddenly seize solid, after working the last few weeks? I admit it did feel a bit stiff, but other posts I read it seemed to seize through lack of use.
Symptoms are: Left it in low range overnight, come morning I can't move the red lever back to high. However, I can move it IF I press the yellow knob at the same time, putting it in 4wd. It drives fine, the yellow pops back up when moving to low, the selector cover itself looks in good nick.
I guess I can use it, since it has free wheeling hubs? And assume I only need to remove the drivers floor (plus all the legacy silicone sealant) to get to it?
It's my first LR, only had it a few weeks.

Thanks

Bit hard to say without actually seeing it, but it could be that the linkages are fouling each other under the trans tunnel, possibly due to mud, rust, or a split pin fouling on something.
Try getting under it and having a look, and removing the transmission tunnel if needed.

John S · May 17, 2019

Your description just sounds rusted up. Easily said on line but it’s a common problem (me) m. I’d follow as posted advice to free up.

Colthebrummie · May 18, 2019

It's rare to need to put it in low, unless towing up steep hills or perhaps doing some heavy duty off roading. How come you use low frequently?

Col

rob1miles · May 18, 2019

The high low lever and the yellow knob really need to be used every week to keep everything free and oily. The problem is that the 4wd is latched by a spring so if the stiffness gets above the spring force it just stops working. Oil evverything and move it all regualry.

kermit_rr · May 18, 2019

I wouldn't use it in 4WD with the hubs disengaged, not meant to be good for them

300bhp/ton · May 18, 2019

Colthebrummie said:
It's rare to need to put it in low, unless towing up steep hills or perhaps doing some heavy duty off roading. How come you use low frequently?

Col

I think this depends on your use of the vehicle. I use low range in mine a lot. And not for towing.

steve2286w · May 18, 2019

The locking pin that goes up and down is a neat fit in the hole in housing, it can trap rust and jam when moved and as rob says it only has the spring force to push it back up , a good clean and oil should do it and check spring under yellow knob is ok

tottot · May 18, 2019

Found a small stone jamming mine once.
The only reason not to drive in two wheel drive low is the rear drive train can be overloaded and something like a halfshaft may go, but driven carefully it's ok.

FRAJ · May 19, 2019

Thanks for the responses, very useful. I have had the floor up which was a job in itself with several layers of silicone in there. Didn't manage to get the cover off the selectors fully before I ran out of time (still got the 4wd pin in it) but the little I saw looked ok, ie not full of rust. Will have another play later hopefully.
I have used the red lever about 8 time in my 1 month of ownership. I think the previous fella never touched it.

rob1miles · May 19, 2019

I move my red lever pretty much every drive. I dod this to keep it free and also becuse I have 3.54 diffs and reverse is very high so its safer to revrese in low range. I do have FWH and would use 4wd with the FWH free but only for parking. The 2 places to check are the littel pin moved by the yellow know, and carefully take the end cover over the selector rods off and clean it inside and grease the rods where they come out the transfer box. One of the rods is pushed one way and springs the other so you just have to keep working it unitl it moves on the spring. The yellow knob unlatches it

Blackburn · May 21, 2019

The high low shaft operates all the other parts , problems getting low ratio can be shims at rear or grease in the recess.
Going into high rotates a pivot inside front wheel drive output casing which then disengages 4wd with the spring.
Sounds like pivot has come adrift hope not as that is a gearbox out job.

FRAJ · May 21, 2019

Blackburn said:
The high low shaft operates all the other parts....

Thanks for the ideas all. I really hope it's not a gearbox out. I have it booked into a local specialist in a couple of weeks anyway and am going to ask them to take a look.

boguing · May 21, 2019

Blackburn said:
Sounds like pivot has come adrift hope not as that is a gearbox out job.

I can't see how the pivot or the cross piece can disengage? I'd put money on old grease in the shaft ends cover getting compacted now that someone's actually using it.

rob1miles · May 21, 2019

Agreed, plus some rust.

Blackburn · May 22, 2019

The high low lever is bolted to the shaft end so not inside the cover.
It engages when 4wd selected which means that part of linkage is in different position allowing it to engage maybe the front wheel drive shaft is not spring ing back take cover off end and compare shaft lengths to the attached pdf if one is not free tapping the end gently after spraying some realese fluid on it generally frees as you are pushing it against the spring.

FRAJ · Jun 14, 2019

Just an update, unsurprisingly, having read your replies, it was just the selector seized through lack of use. I was worried because it had been working and then became solid rather then just a bit stiff., but the shaft that returns under spring load was stuck and forcing the lever has no effect as it doesn't connect to the stuck shaft directly. Anyway, back on the road..

tottot · Jun 14, 2019

Chockster · Mar 21, 2021

Thanks so much for all the info on here gents.
had exactly the same issue on mine since I bought it about 8 months ago. couldn't believe the fix was so simple.
had to sand down one of the shafts it was so furred and rusted up. I whacked it a couple of times with a hammer to get it going then oiled and greased and its like a bloomin new one! amazing!

Series 3 Can't select High range 2WD (stuck selector) - FIXED

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