The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club

[DaveWall]

OK So you would need to look at his description and make notes of anything specific he said to you at the time particularly around the gearbox, for example did he say the gearbox was in perfect working order?  

Are you sure there was NO Fault, do you not think that maybe the gearbox was already contaminated? I would ask for a qualified mechanics opinion, failing that call the RAC and get them to inspect the vehicle/confirm exactly what was wrong and when it started - if the fault was present at the time of the sale and the vehicle was described as perfect working order you are very likely to win a claim

two other things - don't be put off by the seller being a solicitor - in fact most courts take a dim view of a solicitor not being a) squeaky clean and b) not resolving the issue before court, so this would in my experience work against him not for him.

secondly it wouldn't cost as much as you think, we are talking less than £10,000 so small claims can handle and claiming a £1500 ish bill would cost approx. £100 and if you prove that you have made an effort to resolve the issue out of court prior to making the claim, they will most likely award you this cost too!

I would expect that you might find following making a money claim that the seller agrees some sort of settlement, if I had sold the vehicle I would at least offer some money towards the repair as I would think the fault was partially present when the vehicle was sold, even though I didn't know it!!

[Google]

[liambuckley]

At the time of my test drive the gearbox would have to be contaminated as this issue wouldn't suddenly happen after 20 miles. Thanks for the advise I will certainly look into this .

[liambuckley]

More gearbox drama .
So after shelling out 2k for the gearbox to be rebuilt and a new rad fitted, a week later I decide to try out the other gears going up a steep hill , I change gears on the small gear stick and it sails up the hill . So I go to put it back int high and it won't move so I park put the main auto into neutral and change up then down , the small gear stick moves but the light stays in and the cruiser only creeps foward and if turned sounds like the cv joints are gone. Luckily I was only around the corner from home .
So I called the garage who did the work they picked it up on a trailer whilst I was working. I said the last time you did work it took over a week , if you can't sort it today then I need a courtesy car so I can get to work . I was told not to worry they would look at it first then arrange something.
So I arrive at the garage at 5:15 this evening the car outside the garage with a lad with the gear stick off scratching his head telling me that it's shifting but the gears won't change , he then thinks it might be an eletrical fault so puts the diagnostic on it but it comes back free of codes, the boss is called puts it on the ramp has a 20 second look under it and says there is a problem with the transfer box . I'll get the specialist to look at it in the morning. And off he goes through the staff door . I return back to the office and ask for the key for the courtesy car as mine won't be fixed and I need to get home and to work in the morning . I'm told there's nothing available ! I told the guy that I had spoken to the owner this morning and he would arrange something for me . Well the boss has gone home what do you want me to do ? And shrugged how shoulders I said I live 20 miles from here you could get one of your lads to drop me home or pay for a taxi . He said we wouldn't do that you get yourself a tact and talk to the boss .


Any ideas lads ? Firstly what the problem would be ?
Secondly I'm sick of these unprofessional people , where would I stand if I arranged or my cruiser to be picked up and dropped off at Toyota ? Could I force the garage to pay the bill ?

[Glenn]

Sounds to me as if you have gone into low range,locked the center diff, then back into high range but the center diff is still locked hence the warning light, All it needs is the vehicle putting into reverse for a few yard etc to free the cdl.  With respect do you fully know how the 4 wheel drive system with diff lock and high and low range works?

Don't think much of your garage though

[joinerman]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

What e said

[liambuckley]

Glenn,
That's what I thought I had done tried reversing but it didn't work ? As it's with the garage I could ask that they try this out 1st thing in the morning. To confirm it should be in high range when reversed?
I have a rough idea how the 4wd system works - if reversing turns out to be the solution (hopefully) then I really need to read up on it before venturing off road.
I don't think much of the garage either! The only reasons I went there was that they were close and had the best local rating in the good garage guide.

Thanks or the advise I'll give an update tomorrow.

[Glenn]

Does not matter high or low range if you reverse to get it unlocked some times they stick in quite well if you have different wear on the tyres.  

However once the wheels are in the air it is very easy for them to check the diff lock is stuck. Does it also have a rear diff lock as well?

[DaveWall]

I suspect it didn't go backwards because the transfer box lever was in between high and low, effectively in neutral (not sure if there is a neutral position or whether the lever was just not right forward/right back, they are a bit notchy (I have a manual so the levers are different.  But the garage is useless!

Some people get all the luck!

[liambuckley]

well gents the story continues...
I rang the brilliant garage this morning and suggested that the transmission was wound up and to stick it in reverse.
he is a bit hesitant at this perhaps at taking advise from a non mechanically trained person, so 2 hours pass and I hear nothing so I give him a call. apparently he has had the gearbox specialist take a look at it and it has now gone back to high range.
I asked if it was fully functioning, he said the only way they could remove "the fault" was to turn the engine off , shift gears and turn it back on again as there is "something" still wrong with the transfer box.
is he taking out of his *beep* any thoughts lads?

[BobMurphy]

They will have removed the Transfer Box when they repaired your Auto gearbox.

When putting it all back together it is possible to put the Transfer Lever in incorrectly such that it doesn't engage properly with the two selector shafts. It basically has to be in 'HL' before the lever is fitted to guarantee success. If they got it wrong it will shift into 'Low' but not back into 'High'.

Its a simple fix - remove Transfer Lever, use a long screwdriver to align the selector shafts, pop the lever back in in the slots between the shafts and Bob's your Uncle.

There isn't a lot to go wrong in a Transfer Box unless its been seriously abused and the centre diff is damaged.

Yours has an auto box and your Transfer Box has longer Selector Shafts than on one for a manual gearbox. I have seen the shafts rust and be difficult to move. It may just need some use to keep it sweet.

These are just guesses and I'd need to see it to be sure, but as I'm on the outskirts of Edinburgh that isn't going to happen  .


Bob.

[liambuckley]

Hi bob ,
From all of the comments I have received so far I am Of the opinion that they did not align the transfer box lever when refitting and that led to the transmission being wound up. Iam pretty sure that both things have now been amended but I'm not sure now what the issue could be as the mechanic saying that it will shift into low gears but will only shift back when he turns the engine off . Could it be that the water has also got into the transfer box and done some damage, could it be that these inexperienced guys have damaged or not connected something else ? Or a different unrelated problem ?

[liambuckley]

I have just picked up the cruiser from the legendary mechanic , neither he nor the gearbox specialist could explain what had gone wrong , when I put my assumptions to him he blushed slightly. So as he is handing me the keys he says if it won't come out of low range again try reversing it ! I couldn't believe he was reciting the information I had relayed to him !!!
Anyway I'm back on the road .
Thank you to everyone who offered me advise. No doubt I will be seeking further help as the adventure continues - I better invest in some beer tokens!
Have a safe and happy Christmas to all

[nick j]

Liam,

Your patience is amazing, good luck with the cruiser from now on....
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2004 4.2 Landcruiser Amazon