After numerous requests and reminders, here is the procedure to stop your 2000-2002 S-Type trans taking a long time to engage reverse or drive.

5R55N Adaptation Procedure:

Heat trans over 130F. Perfrom 8-10 P-R, 8-10 D-R, 8-10 N or P - D and 8-10 R-D engagements. Wait at least 10 seconds between each engagement. The key is trans temp. It has to be over 130F or the adaptive strategy will not learn. Also each of those four specific events learns seperately, so learning on a P-R engagement will not help a D-R engagement.

This procedure will need to be repeated periodically throughout the life of the transmission.
The thought of the delayed engagements, is that customers are not performing enough engagements while at operating temp under normal driving conditions.
The above excercise should help trans reach 1.0-2.0 (worst case) second engagements. People that have performed this procedure have claimed the 3.0 second engagement to reverse gear has been improved to 1.0-1.5 seconds.

Hope this helps everyone with the annoying trans engagement concerns.

 

Thanks a million FJT, you came through like usual. FAQ'd and locked. Any issues, start a new thread and we'll try to help as much as possible...then again, the tech's will help.

 

Thanks FJT I have that very problem sometimes she just wont go into rev! No drive issues and no codes to speak of, so will try this recommendation, hopefully it i'll fix the issue?
Will update

Regards

 

Sadly didn't work for me, took it to a gearbox specialist in Hove no gearbox fault code found only said vvt fault code I think he said 1338?
That wouldn't cause a gear box reverse issue would it? My local indy Jag mechanic says a recond box is the better option and said a solenoid is causing the problem?
Anyway going to take it for another opinion 1st

 

P1388... VVT solenoid.

If you have the V6, see if the PCM was reflashed. There was a recall.

Also, more than likely the solenoid passages are clogged. Replace 1Qt of oil with ATF fluid (highly detergent) and drive as normal. Code should clear itself once the ATF works the small oil passages clear..