Disco TD5 warning lights query

[Blackpuddin]

Mate who is not a PH member has asked me to ask you about his 2003 Discovery TD5. Hope someone can advise.
The two green warning lights for manual and sport mode come on when he puts it in reverse when cold. They always go off when he stops and restarts the engine and it's fine when warm. Is this normal?
TIA for any thoughts.

[Blackpuddin]

Bump, has anyone experience of this? Thanks

[Bobupndown]

Had a Td5 Disco 2 for 11 years and never saw these particular warning lights on.
Suggest you get onto the D2BC forum where you're more likely to get a proper answer.

[Blackpuddin]

I will do that, thank you sir

[Blackpuddin]

Sadly I have not been able to work out how to answer the question they ask in the registration process so I've had to give up there, hopefully there will be some more answers here in the fullness of time. Thanks.

[Bobupndown]

What's the question, maybe I can answer it for you?

[Blackpuddin]

Something mad like 'what is a type of Discovery engine', doesnt matter what you put it says you're not answering it.

[Lodelaner]

The part at fault is the gearbox XY selector switch. It's a common fault on the D2 and flips up a fault with the S & M lights flashing. The offending unit is mounted on the side of the gearbox near the exhaust and suffers with water ingress (the AC condensation drains above the unit) and its compounded by being wired to the reverse lights - so every time you select Reverse the unit is handling 46w and it arcs, which degrades the contact over time. Eventually the bad connection creates a voltage reading fault in the ECU and the car goes into 3rd gear limp mode. Turning the car off resets it: reversing into spaces and starting the car in neutral helps as well!

The part no. is UHB100190, and when you look around you'll see that the cost is prohibitive (£700-£800). It's a discontinued part from Land Rover, some suppliers list it - but don't have stock - so phone them first. Some folk on eBay can recondition your own for £50 or thereabouts, but I haven't used any of these so can't say what they're like one way or the other. The alternative is to get a used one off a scrapper. Some people also fit LED reversing lights to prevent recurrence, and some even fit a relay to prevent the arcing.

[Blackpuddin]

That's amazing, thank you – although I doubt my mate will be too pleased when he hears it...
Thanks again, Blackpuddin

[Bobupndown]

Mine was a manual, probably why I never experienced that fault!