I've just got my XJ back after the engine was replaced following the usual Mk1 water pump disaster. More on that five+ month debacle at a later date. Now I am seeing another wrinkle.

When I start the car in the morning and back out of the garage and stop the car on my drive, it has developed a habit of dropping out of reverse with the "R" symbols on the console and dash flashing. My drive slopes fairly steeply down from the garage and I stop the car there to lower the garage door using a remote.

I have not seen this behaviour on the flat at work. It's almost like the car is shifting into neutral because I am holding the car against the engine on the downhill. In open loop mode having just been started, the engine revs a bit above idel and I have to use a fair bit of brake pressure to hold it. After a warm start I don't have any issues.

Any clues?

 

Are you applying the handbrake when you exit on your drive ?

 

No. I'm holding it on the footbrake while the garage door goes down. Then I find it has slipped back into neutral after a few seconds of holding, about the time the door comes down and I want to reverse into the street.

 

agentorange, listening to what you are describing, I wonder if you are low on tranny fluid. What it sounds like to me is the tranny is loosing suction and therefore is not able to maintain proper fluid pressure. The flashing "R" is saying that it sees an error with the tranny while that gear is selected. This condition would also explain why when you get back on a level surface, all is returned to normal.

 

I thought the transmission was "sealed for life" ?? Maybe not so much after two engine removals.

 

Sealed for life is a misnomer. IT is a good sales gimmick. You want to watch your local dealership stumble, ask them why they offer you a tranny service on a tranny that is "sealed for life". Nothing is service free. It all needs attention at some point.

 

Service guy said it may have been low battery. The car was under repair for nearly six months so the battery may have needed a charge. It's not my problem any more as you shall read elsewhere.