1997 Auto Disco won't crank

[kleener]

3.9 V8Australian delivery with 4 speed auto.

While working in some rough country a fortnight ago, I stopped the Discovery, went back and could not get it to crank. Hauled it out from where it was with a tractor and shifted it about 500 m to safe level ground.

I suspected a faulty safety interlock switch or wiring, so bypassed that and ran a wire to the solenoid, which enabled me to start the car beautifully.

Unfortunately even with the engine running there is a bad case of fail to proceed, and no movement in any gear - there is a slight noise if it revs are not allowed to drop right back before re engaging park, which sounds like the locking pawl scraping on a moving shaft.

Any suggestions?

The car does not owe a great deal and I can probably recoup my investment by scrapping it, but it is a handy vehicle so if is an easy fix, would like to try that first.

[Joey]

Check the transmission linkage to ensure that it is getting into gear. I would also check the transfer case linkage to make sure it isn't in neutral as well.