Sorry for the late reply. I'veach had trouble logging in.

I can report that a new throttle position sensor (TPS) has vastly improved things. The hold light no longer flashes, gear changes are smoother, kickdown now happens sometimes but not always. It still sticks in too high a gear on the hills ...

Thanks Geoff and Vanessa. I guess I can just secure it and ignore it.

I've found I can get rid of the flashing hold light and kickdown problem temporarily by stopping and restarting the engine, even whilst coasting in neutral. It still comes back though. A proper connector block clean up is next.

Hi NB. Yes, the free floating little black square that unplugs. What is that thing?

Yesterday whilst earthing the fuel tank, (the gauge now reads full when full), I decided to wiggle every electrical connector block that I could see and leave both batteries disconnected with the headlights on over lunch. Lo and behold, upon reconnecting the batteries no hold light! Overdrive was ...

It takes off fine if I drop it into S. It just won't kickdown automatically on a hill or if I floor it in overdrive. It must be some sensor somewhere I feel. There is a sensor thats not fixed to anything just floating on its cable. It has the markings 953 No 9. Is this a temperature sensor that ...

Well I stripped that diaphragm and whilst it had a small amount of oil it looked ok. I've tried the Throttle Position Sensor at each extreme of its adjustment but it makes little difference. It will kickdown in the lower gears but it changes into overdrive at 2500 rpm (indicated 35mph) and drops to ...

On mine ('96 2.5 diesel 4wd) there is a bottle at the very front of the engine bay, slightly to your right if you're looking from the front. In the top of this bottle is the pressyre switch. With the engine running disconnect it and short out the connectors very briefly with a straightened paper ...

Thanks NB. I'll be getting greasy on Friday!

Hi folks, having changed the exhaust, front brake pads and alternator successfully there is only one niggle left. The gearbox won't kickdown from top gear. Whatever I do it changes into top at around 38mph, uphill, downhill or flat. This is annoying on the hills as I either have to put up with ...

I am full of optimism! Thanks Geoff, you're a star..

Hi Geoff, I have the two battery Winter Pack version. Two batteries in parallel so double the charge current I guess.
I've found a seller on ebay that does 5 100A fuses for a fiver or so. They are now in my glovebox hopefully never to be used!

Andy

Thanks NB for the code clearing tip. Alas even though the flashing hold light cleared (not apparent when I reconnected the batteries with the ignition/panel lights on) it reappeared upon starting the engine.

It strikes me that there is a design fault. It seems that if the batteries run too low then ...

That seems to have done it! No more glowing and blowing main fuse.

However I still have my flashing hold light and no kickdown for the hills.....

Thanks for your contributions Geoff. They helped me to think things through.

Andy

Thanks Geoff - I can sleep tonight encouraged!

There is no garage, I changed the alternator myself. Of course I didn't check the batteries....it started and everything worked....and I don't have one of those battery testers....

Perhaps tomorrow my problems will be over!

Andy

Hi Folks,

Here's the latest!

I've tested my old alternator and found continuity between the output and the case and so I guess its goosed.
My new alternator doesn't have the same continuity.
The battery voltage with the engine off is 13V
The battery voltage with the engine running is 14V.
I think ...