Discovery 2. Manual - part 553

TRANSFER BOX - LT230SE

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

41-15

High/low detect switch
A high/low detect switch is fitted in the front output housing and connects to earth when low is selected. The switch is 
connected to the engine ECM, the SLABS ECU and the EAT ECU. The purpose of the switch is to enable selection 
of the hill descent feature and to modify the engine fuelling and automatic gearbox gearshift maps stored within the 
respective ECM's and ECU's.

Differential lock - Fitted to certain vehicles only
The differential lock selector housing is bolted to the top of the front output housing, the selector finger passes through 
the housing, locating in a slot in the differential lock selector shaft. The differential lock selector shaft passes through 
the selector fork which is located beneath a plate bolted to the side of the output housing. The selector fork engages 
the dog clutch sleeve with the differential rear shaft when the splines of the sleeve and differential rear shaft are 
aligned. A spring loaded detent ball fitted in the output housing locates in grooves in the shaft.

Functionality – Vehicles up to 03 model year only
The function of the differential lock used in previous applications is performed on this vehicle by the Electronic Traction 
Control System. However, for the purposes of 2 wheel rolling road testing , the differential lock components are 
retained. For all driving conditions however, the differential lock must be set in the unlocked position.

Up to 03 model year specification shown

The differential lock must only be engaged for 2 wheel rolling road testing as engagement of the lock disables the 
traction control feature and inhibits correct operation of the electronic brake distribution and hill descent features. It 
will also be necessary to disconnect the propeller shaft from the transfer box output shaft driving the axle whose 
wheels are NOT on the rolling road. The lock may be engaged/disengaged by using a 10 mm open ended spanner 
on the flats (arrowed) machined on the differential lock selector shaft.

Vehicles not fitted with a differential lock may be identified by  there being no cover or selector shaft (arrowed) on the 
front output  housing.

WARNING: VEHICLES NOT FITTED WITH A DIFFERENTIAL LOCK MUST NOT BE TESTED ON A ROLLING 
ROAD WHERE THE ROLLERS ARE DRIVEN BY THE VEHICLE.

TRANSFER BOX - LT230SE

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DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

Functionality – Vehicles from 03 model year only
The differential lock must be engaged for 2 wheel rolling road testing. It will also be necessary to disconnect the 
propeller shaft from the transfer box output shaft driving the axle whose wheels are NOT on the rolling road. In 
addition, the ETC system must be deactivated by either, removing a fuse (10A fuse 28 in the passenger compartment 
fusebox, labelled ABS) or disconnecting the ABS modulator pump. This must be done with the ignition switched off. 
Note that the SLABS ECU may record a system fault.

The lock can be engaged or disengaged using the selector lever. Vehicles not fitted with a differential lock can be 
identified by a high/low range selector lever with no differential lock functionality and the cover and selector shaft 
(arrowed), not visible on the front output housing.

WARNING: VEHICLES NOT FITTED WITH A DIFFERENTIAL LOCK MUST NOT BE TESTED ON A ROLLING 
ROAD WHERE THE ROLLERS ARE DRIVEN BY THE VEHICLE.

Differential lock warning lamp switch - if fitted - Vehicles up to 03 model year
A differential lock warning lamp switch connected to the SLABS ECU and operated by movement of the selector fork 
and shaft is screwed into the top of the output housing. The switch connects to earth when the differential lock is 
engaged.

Differential lock warning lamp switches - if fitted - Vehicles from 03 model year
Vehicles from 03 model year are fitted with two differential lock warning lamp switches.

One switch is of a new design and is fitted into the top of the front output housing in the same position as on previous 
models. The switch is connected to the SLABS ECU and is operated by movement of the selector fork and shaft.

The second switch is located in a threaded hole on the forward face of the front output housing. The switch is also 
connected to the SLABS ECU and is operated by movement of the selector shaft.

Both switches have an aluminium washer which seals the switch to the casing and also sets the switch position, 
removing the requirement for a setting procedure.

Both switches are connected in parallel to earth when the differential lock is engaged. This earth is sensed by the 
SLABS ECU which illuminates the differential lock warning lamp in the instrument pack.

Differential lock warning lamp - Vehicles up to 03 model year – if fitted
The differential lock warning lamp is located in the instrument pack and provides a warning to the driver when the 
ignition is switched on that the differential lock is engaged. The warning lamp illuminates in a Red colour. 

With the lock engaged, the traction control and electronic brake distribution warning lamps will also be illuminated. 
Disengagement of the differential lock should be carried out with the ignition switched off. The warning lamps must 
be extinguished when the ignition is switched on again.

Differential lock warning lamp – vehicles from 03 model year – if fitted
The differential lock warning lamp is located in the instrument pack and provides a visual warning to the driver, when 
the ignition is on, the differential lock is engaged. The warning lamp illuminates in an amber colour.

When the lock is engaged, the warning lamp is illuminated and the instrument pack sounder emits three audible 
chimes. When the lock is disengaged, the warning lamp is extinguished and the instrument pack sounder emits three 
audible chimes.

Rear output housing
The rear output housing carries the output shaft and flange. A cable operated transmission brake is attached to the 
housing, the brake drum being attached to the output flange.

The rear output shaft is supported in the housing by a single bearing and is splined into the differential rear sun gear. 

TRANSFER BOX - LT230SE

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

41-17

Lubrication
Lubrication is by splash, oil filler/level and drain plugs being located in the main casing. 

Internal pressures caused by thermal expansion and contraction are avoided by the use of a plastic breather pipe 
venting the interior of the box to atmosphere. The pipe is attached to the top of the high/low selector housing by a 
banjo bolt and is then routed in a continuously rising path into the engine compartment where the open end is secured 
by a clip attached to the engine cylinder block.

Oil temperature warning lamp switch
An oil temperature switch is fitted to V8 engine models. In the event of the transfer box oil approaching maximum 
recommended working temperature of 145

°

C (293

°

F), the switch will close and a warning lamp in the instrument pack 

will be illuminated.

High/Low range and differential lock selector lever assembly – Vehicles from 03 model year

1 Selector lever
2 High/Low range cable
3 Differential lock cable
4 Interlock solenoid

TRANSFER BOX - LT230SE

41-18

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

On vehicle fitted with a differential lock, the high/low range selector lever as fitted on previous models also 
incorporates the differential lock selector on vehicles from 03 model year.

The lever can be moved forwards or backwards to select high, neutral or low range or sideways to select differential 
lock engaged or disengaged, on vehicles with differential lock fitted.

The selector lever assembly comprises an aluminium casting with bosses for location of the two cables, the selector 
lever mechanism and a housing for the interlock solenoid (if fitted). The upper face of the casting has threaded holes 
which allow for the attachment of the casting to the mounting plate which is attached to the transmission tunnel.

A boss at the front provides location for the differential lock cable. The cable is attached to a lever which in turn is 
attached to the selector lever. Movement of the selector lever is passed via the lever to the cable which moves the 
differential lock selector shaft.

A second boss provides for the location of the high/low range cable. The cable is attached to a plate which moves in 
a forward or rearward direction with the selector lever. On North American and Japanese specification models, plate 
movement is prevented by an interlock solenoid when the ignition key is not in the ignition.

When fitted, the interlock solenoid is located on the right hand side of the selector lever casting. The solenoid is fitted 
into a cast housing in the casting and retained with a circlip. Sealant is applied over the circlip to seal the solenoid in 
the housing to prevent the ingress of dirt and moisture. The solenoid performs the same function as on previous 
models, preventing the selection of neutral on the transfer box when the ignition key is not in the ignition.

A setting procedure is required for both the differential lock cable and the high/low range cable.