classic question

[beast5680]

having been asked if i can service a friends range rover classic i have a couple of questions
there is a temp warning light coming on when he tows where is the switch, its a manual 200tdi is this common?
what grade of oil goes in the gearbox and the transfer box with the viscous coupling

ta muchly

[Range Rover Blues]

The little gears that light up are probably the gearbox temp switch, mine's located on the pipework to the gearbox oil cooler, under the passenger's end of the rad.  Not sure the TDi has a gearbox cooler so you might need to check a manual :-k.

Gearbox will be DextronII as will the Borg Warner transfer box.  You need loads and IIRC the T-box take more than the gearbox :-.

BTW, my LSE has a BIG V8 and my caravan is 1,900Kg, I NEVER see the gearbox temp warning light, I checked it wasn't bust.

[beast5680]

cheers for that , i,ll have a look at the weekend and see why its coming on

[R Bates]

I've got a 200tdi manual and there isnt a gearbox cooler on them. On my mates 200 manual disco the gearbox temperature  warning light comes on with the hand brake light!

[ChrisV8]

Has the Borg Warner got a thermal switch like on the P38 ? Could be someone has swapped the transfer box maybe. ?

I run Difflock synthetic in my gearbox with Dextron in the transfer.

[forkarm]

There is a temp sensor screwed into the top of the transfer box.
Its very hard to see from below but if you feel around above and to the left
of the handbrake drum you should find it.
 Good luck

[beast5680]

cheers for the replies, interesting the comment about the temp light coming on with the handbrake as thats what this one does, is that normal?
is there an equvalent to dextron or does anyone know the grade?

[Rossko]

cheers for the replies, interesting the comment about the temp light coming on with the handbrake as thats what this one does, is that normal?

No, it's a fault.   There are two gearbox temp sensors when a cooler is fitted (i.e. on autos) with viscous coupling transfer box, which both work the same light.  I guess on manual there may only be one.  One is screwed into rear face of the transfer box, and has a big rubber boot over its electrical end.   Clearance to the handbrake drum backplate is small, and the wires press against it.   Over time, and particularly if the handbrake is dragging and getting hot, the wire insulation chafes through and shorts against the backplate ...  when you put the handbrake on, the backplate flexs a bit and puts the light on.

Access is horrible, so what you do is slide a piece of old credit card between the wires and the backplate to prevent the short.  It's all tight enough to wedge it securely. It has worked for me for four years so far ...   the alternative is removal of complete handbrake assembly to re-insulate the wires properly.

Anyways, if it only happens on towing, it probably is low transfer box fluid as well.  Very small chance of a broken halfshaft or such causing the viscous coupling to work overtime in 2WD but surely there'd be other clues for that!

Bottles of ATF will state if they are Dextron compatible ... 2 or 3 will be fine.

cheers, Ross K

[beast5680]

well have changed the oil in the boxes today, cant say there was much in the transfer box :shock: so maybe that was the cause of the temp light coming on

cheers rossko for the tip about the temp light with the wires chafing :clap: i,ll take a look next week and see if it is that thats doing it