Had the fault where the gear selector dial gets stuck in Park. Ordered replacement from ebay, checked serial number for part and seems a good match. Old unit came out fine, new unit plugged in but nothing. Electric windows etc weren't working so took battery out and charged it overnight. Electrics are all back working, EPB reset and error cleared from dash. Ignition comes on in terms of radio/climate all working. BUT - the gear selector dial does not rise, the engine doesn't start and now the key fob is stuck in the dock and will not release! Any help at all much appreciated.

 

Sorry, forgot to state model! 2009 (58 plate) XF 2.7l diesel

 

do the switch and blue surround lights work on the GSM ? as this is powered separately from the handbrake control, and the ignition start buttons , ( this will also not light up red )

i found the power to the unit had a broken wire in the loom

if this is your issue i can suggest a quick get out of Jail free modification

BB

 

To release the key from the dock you have to push it & it will then release. The handbook also says the gear selector must be in park.

 

Yes have tried the standard release process. I have used the dock many times, as seems to be a real issue with battery drain in my key fob. The release mechanism definitely isn't working. I think it may be connected to the gear selector issue - ie the car thinks it's not in Park and therefore won't release the key fob?

 

Just checked to be sure. Blue lights come on as they should. Ignition button flashes red.

Waited and watched for all warning messages etc. Noticed that with key stuck in slot, when I open the door the car warning beeps and message in red tells me to remove key from slot. Then, message in orange warns me that the gear is not in Park. I think this is the underlying problem. Key won't release and car can't start if the car believes it's already in Drive?

 

So, update. Decided that the car believing it is in gear must be at least part of the issues I'm seeing. Used the emergency process to put the car into Neutral, which did show on the Gear Selector with the N lighting up.
Put the old, failed gear selector unit back in, trying to get back to "ground zero" with the original fault only.
At this point I was also able to then start the engine which fired up no problem.
Once I switched the engine off, I was able to release the key from the Dock, so that problem is sorted at least.
Will try again with new gear module tomorrow as dark now!

 

Was the replacement unit on eBay new? These do fail occasionally so you may have bought a dud...

 

Yeah, buying from ebay certainly has its risks. It is a used part, not brand new, which again has risks. I used the same seller for replacement EGR valves having looked at buyer scores/reviews etc. Was good for those so gave it a shot for this issue too. I'm more worried about whether the part I have bought is actually compatible with my car model. GSM I'm replacing begins with part number 8X23. Replacement part is 9X23. Hoping that's just a year code and didn't change the part at all. The 8X.. parts are harder to find.

 

I suspect the 9X is not compatible with an 8X. Usually when it's a minor differences or production runs/years it's the last 2 characters that change, those parts are often interchangable (tho not always!). If it's the first few characters the units have different, and often, incompatible firmwares.

I have noticed that the gear select and current gear messages between the GSM and gear box varies a lot between models. Sometimes selected gear "0" means park, sometimes it's neutral. "-1" is sometimes reverse, or its "8".

 

So, to keep people updated.

Charged battery overnight, used emergency Neutral and was able to get key released from Dock.

This morning, changed old, failed GSM for one brought from Ebay. Question as to whether replacement was compatible due to slightly different product code.

Unplugged old, plugged in new. Worked first time. Selector dial raised, could switch between P, R, N and D with no bother.

There are still a few error codes to sort - Gear fault, Park Brake fault. But the car does drive, gears do change, paddle shifters all work, all other electrics back up and running, and though it says there is a fault the park brake does set and release. I'd call that a success for now!

Just so anyone else in similar position reads this - I have ZERO experience fixing cars. I hate it. I'd rather give it to a mechanic to fill it up with fuel than do it myself if I could 🤣. This seemed scary, but actually was pretty straight forward - to get to this point at least. Especially with help from here, so thanks.

The usual other issues to sort on this car:
Boot not opening due to broken wire
Fuel filler flap not always opening
Window washer that sprays once, then needs ignition off/on before spraying again

But at least it is running again at the moment!

If anyone reading has links to threads to fix any of those other issues, please send them my way 👍👍
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The 9X replacement works in so far as engine starts, gear shift dial raises, I can select between the gears and the car runs fine. However, after a longer test run I note that my paddle shift gears aren't operating and neither is the ASL (speed limiter) option.
So long as car keeps running, a mechanic friend will be able to look at it all more closely next week.

 

Hi really stressing sorting the same issue hope you’ve solved it and hopefully see this message, changed gearselector works fine just lights for gearbox fault and parking brake issue won’t go off

 

Stuck in Park - Shifter rises, all the buttons work..stranded - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum