Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 2121 Location: East Yorkshire

I do wonder......if the RR has actually ''wound-up'' its transmission if it unintentionally slipped into ''proper'' 4wd?

[In other words,did the central diff lock get applied unintentionally...if it has one as I'm not familiar with LR's automated, cut out the driver, transmissions? Defenders had one, to give positive 4wd]

If a defender's tranny suffered from wind-up [4wd engaged on a grippy surface...front axle fights against back axle if the steering was turned..]...the center differentials difflock could be very difficult to disengage.

It is a pity you cannot try 'rocking' the RR back and forth, with the steering wheels straight ahead.....trying to get the 'free play' in the transmission to return, and maybe, release what has locked up?
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Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
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Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7139 Location: Derby

We have all tried rocking the car but it seems to be well stuck. I guess if the garage can't fix it then it's curtains. Crying or Very sad

alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 2121 Location: East Yorkshire

If the car is still as 'in the photo,' then first, straighten the steering up....before rocking it back & forth? Maybe the mechanical side of the transfer box, if 'worked' whilst the car is rocked...might just come 'free?'
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Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7139 Location: Derby

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7139 Location: Derby

SO....the P38 is still marooned on the drive; causing ever increasing domestic tensions.

I am coming round to the idea that the problem may be electrical. The problem for me is that I am out of my depth with computerisation. I know that the selector drive spigot that protrudes from the transfer case can be easily rotated so that suggests the problem is elsewhere.

The transfer motor is controlled by an ECU under the front seat. However, it is not as simple as that. That particular ECU also has input from three other computers; the most significant being the b.e.c.m. (body electronic control module) so the fault could be anywhere.

I spoke to the (used) Land Rover people today and they have left it to me to arrange delivery to their premises. I spoke to their recommended recovery man but he was not happy about the car being stuck in gear. I explained that the reason for the delivery to the garage was to sort out that very problem. He was also anxious about his "skids" sinking into the tarmac drive.

I may have to get someone with a tractor unit to shift it.

The only other way I can think of to get the car mobile would be to remove the prop shafts. The problem with that idea is that I would be relying on the garage to reinstate them in exactly the same position.
( The reason why this is particularly important is that the front prop in particular has a 3 degree off set and failure to comply with the LR spec will cause a catastrophic failure. )

The garage has not dealt with a P38 in many years and I don't know how much they will remember.

alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 2121 Location: East Yorkshire

The 'skids' issue is why I suggested [a set of 4?] wheel dollies?
Jack up each wheel, place dolly underneath, and lower jack.

Indeed, do you have a trolley jack that'll lift the weight if placed centrally under each axle?
Might involve a bit of grovelling on the floor, however?
Jack the rear axle up so both wheels just clear of the ground, then see if each wheel can rotate, or 'wobble?'
If you can jack up the front axle centrally, with both wheels clear of the ground, the steering might also be able to straighten...As well as seeing if they can rotate, or 'wobble' back & forth?

The idea is to try to free up the transfer box if possible?
Before taking the props off....

Dollops of paint on the props and flanges ought to provide a big hint to the fitters at the garage?
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7139 Location: Derby

Tomorrow I plan to try and get the transfer box into drive manually by turning the spigot with a spanner with the engine running. I want to see if the car can be put into gear or if the electronics prevent it.

If I can get drive then no need to remove props and we should be able to get it out of the way under it's own power.

Pigs might, too! Razz

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4242 Location: South Cheshire

Rootes75 · Posted: Tue Sep 30, 2025 8:44 am Post subject:

Not what I've done but what I plan to do today...

I have the day off work, it's dry, it's sunny.

We're going down the yard and spending the whole day there. The plan is to move our 42 Commer out the shed which will enable us to pull our Ford 7W out from where she's been the last ten years.

We've also got our 44 Commer front end stripped and the engine ready to lift out. We'll lift this out and get it tucked away in the shed before then putting the Ford back in followed by the 42 Commer back in.

Our shed is awkward as it's narrow so it's like Tetris trying to get everything in there so it all fits.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7139 Location: Derby

Problem fixed!!!!!!

I have to give credit to Jean who read the P38 handbook and suggested I look to see if there was a fuse in No. 11. The handbook says that No.11 should not be used unless the transfer box needs to be put in neutral; in which case install a 5A (or bigger)

Someone - not me - had put a 30A fuse in No.11.

I removed the fuse and normal business was resumed.

What I don't understand is how the car was working O.K. before with the fuse in place.

Anyway, it doesn't matter now.

PHWEW!!

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4242 Location: South Cheshire

Very confuseing!

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 7139 Location: Derby

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4242 Location: South Cheshire

Possibly putting the fuse in allows a "sequence of actions" that puts the transfer box in to neutral, and somehow by chance you mimicked said sequence?

If this is the case all is good Smile

bjacko · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2025 7:44 am Post subject: Electrical Magic

There are many cases of unexplained occurrences in electrical systems that are very confusing and often difficult to find. Reading the manual is often the best first move. I have seen many cases of confused "electricians" in the airline maintenace industry who "don't need to read manuals" and then they read the manual and suddenly the mystery is solved! I have seen the same with airframe and engine engineers.
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1938 Morris 8 Ser II Coupe Utility (Pickup)
1985 Rover SD1 VDP

Rootes75 · Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2025 8:17 am Post subject:

Our day of moving and clearing up in our shed went well, everything inside now has a place and we managed to extricate our 1937 Ford 7W from under many years of storage.

We did have everything set up to remove the engine from our 1944 Commer but for some reason after a few hours of trying we can't get it to part more than half and inch from the bell housing...lots of head scratching...maybe seized on the splines?

We will try it another day now...
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Various Rootes Vehicles.