Hi guys n girls,
I recently acquired this 2000 S Type 4.0 with 88,000 on the clock. Yeah, it has its heat issues but I got it for a song so I rolled the dice.
I am now faced with this dilemma...the car won't shift into drive h simply putting the shifter to 'D' I have to go to the left 1 click to '4' in order to get it to shift into gear. It will also not shift down into 3 or 2. It goes normally into reverse and nuetral. I have already checked the 2 8mm bolts underneath that I understand are problematic on these vehicles. They were tight. Is there an adjustment on the shifter cable under the center console or am I dealing with a trans issue?

I have to apologize, I jumped the gun with this thread. I have found the answer and have adjusted the shifter cable. However, the far will still not shift into 3 or 2...I'm assuming I need to change the cable, huh?

Hard for us to say for sure but it's certainly plausible and a known issue from time to time.

Do check the trans fluid level - see the forum stickies - and I expect you already know it's the Ford 5R55N.

More importantly, check the (timing chain) tensioners have been changed as otherwise you're probably on borrowed time!

Thanks JagV8. I am going to pull a cover today to check the tensioners. My best guess is they haven't been changed as I have no maintenance records for this car. The PO didn't know much about it...or so he claimed.

You're probably not far from it being a great car so don't lose heart

tdc did a write-up of working on the tensioners etc and i think there's something on the jag-lovers site, too.

Thanks for the vote of confidence!

+1 on shift cable - good luck!

Looking into doing the shift cable ASAP. Thanks again everyone!

I would also (as mentioned before) have a trans shop check the level of the trans fluid and overall condition - you might be surprised to find the previous owner(s) never changed the fluid since Jaguar touted the "sealed for life" thing....

If you find the fluid low or "burnt" - save your $$$ on that shift cable - there might be bigger issues...

"Prepare for the Worst and Hope for The Best"... that's what us 00 MY Jaguar 4.0 folks usually say...