Hello all, I’ve nearly had my 96 XJ12 for a year now, for the most part it’s been nothing but a pleasure to own and drive and with lots of research on this forum I’ve managed to sort some common issues like the electric mirror switch.


So I thought I’d tackle another common problem; the linear switch in the gear selector. I get odd occasions when I have to press the gear selector forward before the engine will crank, no problem I thought but the other day after sitting for most of the week it wouldn’t crank at all and no amount of wiggling the selector helped. So I took the cover off and moved the selector until it started. Everything back together it seems ok again but after a bit of research I thought it best to nip this in the bud before it really lets me down.


The problem is on a second inspection I notice someone has already had a good go at this in the past! The solenoid which moves the catch when the brake pedal is pressed is missing and the catch has been bent back for some reason…. also the park position micro switch has been removed and hangs loose under the radio console and the linear switch circuit board looks like it has been modified, possibly to adapt to the other bits that have been removed.


Has anyone come across this before?? I’ll add pictures to help illustrate exactly what I’m talking about.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...58fd2a26c.jpegThe general view
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...f2627da92.jpegThe bent back catch and absence of a solenoid
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...68639374c.jpegWhat’s going on here?
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...7ddecf658.jpegA loose connector... would this be from the missing solenoid?
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...828c1c2c3.jpegThe micro switch, Broken from its mount and not functioning

I found this on eBay £50 it’s from a XJ6. Hoping its a straight swap

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.jag...85c7b8d904.png