The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club

archibaldharris

Hello everyone,

I have always come to the TLOCUK forums whenever something has stopped working on the landcruiser and 9 times out of ten I have found answers, it's a great resource and would like to thank all the contributors.
Thought it was about time I became a member myself and here is my first post!

I tried to put my Colorado 3.0 Diesel Automatic into low range the other day to pull a stuck van out of the mud and was gutted to discover the stick wouldn't budge!
I am ashamed to say it was the first time I'd ever tried it in the 2 years that we've owned the vehicle so I don't know if it has ever worked?
I've tried to move the stick while moving and when stationery while in neutral but it feels like it is cemented in place!

I was going to change the oil in the transfer box as I assumed it would be full of water or something but it looks brand new???
Going to take it to the local garage tomorrow for them to look at.

It's frustrating because we really love the car and it drives perfect otherwise but it bugs me that i've not got that satisfying feeling of having the option to get out of trouble using low range when needed.
We had the automatic transmission rebuilt over a year ago and im wondering if something is not lined up properly? As you can tell I'm not very clued up on mechanics and haven't got a clue where or what to start checking!
Hopefully the garage will know about 4x4s?!

If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated,

Thank you!

Craig

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HairyWookie · Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 20:06 Post subject:

Oh dear!!!

Daft question; did you try disengaging it whilst rolling SLOWLY backwards?

This 'unwinds' it, and often helps make it pop out again (as @bobmurphy recommended to me for the first time I touched mine)

Think its the same with LC's as with Defenders.

My Collie had to be in reverse, rolling slowly, in order to pop out of Low & Locked...

Dont know if this is the case with them all??
_________________
Regards, Chris.

1997 KZJ95 3.0TD GX Manual (Jess)
Weekend Warrior with 18 years of mechanical experience; still learning...
Occasional use on SVO...

HairyWookie · Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 20:06 Post subject:

PS Welcome to the forum!!! Very Happy

_________________
Regards, Chris.

1997 KZJ95 3.0TD GX Manual (Jess)
Weekend Warrior with 18 years of mechanical experience; still learning...
Occasional use on SVO...

archibaldharris · Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 21:56 Post subject:

Thank you! I have not tried this but will have a go in the morning before going to the garage. I would so love it to be something as simple as this, question is... Do I feel lucky? Laughing

BobMurphy · Posted: Tue Apr 16, 2013 23:06 Post subject:

Hi,

There might be a clue in the fact that the auto transmission was rebuilt a year ago.

Its possible to put the Transfer Lever back incorrectly so that it misses the selectors; that may have happened to you.

Here is a view of the selectors on a Transfer Box that mates with an Auto Gearbox (where a manual box is used, the selector shafts are shorter and the two metal blocks are inside the transfer box).

The end of the Transfer Lever sits in the hollows in the steel blocks, moving the lever left to right makes it swap from one selector to the other.

This is shown in the "H" (High) ratio position. Moving the Transfer Lever forward will move the right-hand selector (left in the picture) back towards the box which locks the Centre Differential ("HL" - High Ratio, Centre Differential Locked), it also lines the two blocks up.

Moving the lever to the right swings the end into the left-hand selector (right of the picture), moving it forward pushes the shaft back into the box where it selects "N" (Neutral) and then "LL" (Low Ratio, Centre Differential Locked).

The end of your lever may be sitting somewhere between the two.

Alternatively, the shafts may be rusty as that seems to happen with Auto boxes as you can see Shocked

.

I wouldn't have thought that there was anything siezed inside as the oil is clear and there is an oil pump in there that should keep everything lubricated.

Its not difficult to remove the centre console and the transfer lever and then move the selectors with a long screwdriver. Don't move the right-hand one any further forward than the "H" position or the sprung Detent Ball near the back of the box can jump in behind the end of the shaft - fixing that is a "Transfer Box Out" job Rolling Eyes

.

I would be wary of taking the truck to a garage that isn't familiar with the transmission - hopefully yours will know what to look for.

Best of luck.

Bob.

archibaldharris · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 14:32 Post subject:

I am so happy I feel like a kid with a new toy!!
Bob, I would like to shake your hand and buy you a beer!
Thank you so much for that detailed post. I did exactly what you said and took the centre console apart. When I got down to the transfer stick gubbins I was surprised how easily the rods went in and out with a screwdriver! The transfer stick must have just been chucked in anywhere after they refitted the transmission, it was certainly not in the right place anyhow. Now the lever is in the right place it's sits a lot further back (in H) and rattles far less.
Put everything back together and hey presto...everything works perfectly! Lever moves about smoothly and correct lights come on dash. I now feel like I want to go and test it all out off road - now off to find a green lane!
I had to go and tell the local garage that I'd fixed the problem myself after speaking with a landcruiser specialist online...he looked surprised but said he was glad it was sorted.
Big smiles all round, thanks again everyone

froggysteve · ** Joined: 04 Sep 2012 Posts: 61 Location: Dordogne France

Great result - well done Bob!

Steve

BobMurphy · Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2013 23:53 Post subject:

Well, Well . . . What do you know Laughing

Maybe I should try doing the Lottery Cool

.

A lucky guess, but I'm glad its sorted.

Now go out and play Wink

.

Cheers.

Bob.

HairyWookie · Posted: Thu Apr 18, 2013 12:43 Post subject:

Once more the Owners Club Forum saves somebody £££'s!!! Very Happy

Well done Bob; sorted another query out.

You should set up a beer funding account! I must owe you a few by now... Cool

_________________
Regards, Chris.

1997 KZJ95 3.0TD GX Manual (Jess)
Weekend Warrior with 18 years of mechanical experience; still learning...
Occasional use on SVO...

BobMurphy · Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 1:06 Post subject:

leckytech · * Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Posts: 32 Location: Sunderland

Interestingly, I just tried mine the other day for the first time [auto box] and it was solid! I really had to push the lever with a huge amount of force to budge it, it wouldnt go into HL but eventually went in to LL, then I couldnt get the *beep* back out again. Dont think the levers are misaligned, maybe just needs some WD40?

leckytech · * Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Posts: 32 Location: Sunderland

why cant you edit your posts grr. I did get it back out of LL eventually. Must have a look with the console out..

HairyWookie · Posted: Tue May 07, 2013 19:32 Post subject:

Bit of grease on the two protruding shafts underneath should smooth things up I reckon... Smile

(Manuals dont have the protrusions, but autos do. Some different design thing)
_________________
Regards, Chris.

1997 KZJ95 3.0TD GX Manual (Jess)
Weekend Warrior with 18 years of mechanical experience; still learning...
Occasional use on SVO...

roscoFJ73 · Posted: Wed May 15, 2013 11:17 Post subject:

leckytech · * Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Posts: 32 Location: Sunderland

Ok,.... 1 year later Im just about to get out and try to gain access to the transfer shafts..haha

Can I gain access by removing the center console and is taking out said console easy?

Thanks lads

Paul