Problem: While at Home Depot, my car (49k miles) would go into Drive (& Reverse), but would only move forward at idle speed as tranny would engage...but when I depressed the accelerator - she would not go...I could only coast. Ditto with reverse. I "hobbled" to a near-by gas station to call a tow. Shutting the car off and on resolved the issue. Car was fine for 3 weeks. To be safe, I took it to a Jag dealer who saw no "codes" - but said at times the TCM (Transmission Control Module) would "flash" and need to be updated. The dealer updated the TCM for $120. I use this car as my daily driver. I wonder what issues I might have for the next 50k miles. I just turned 50k miles this week.



MY ORIGINAL POST (as a newbie...in the "introduce yourself" section)
Back in 2005 I purchased a brand new XJ8L and love the car. Light and quick...I say.

Tranny problem?
3 weeks ago, while accelerating, the car lost its pick up and I heard a light whining or grinding noise from the tranny. The noise went away. Last night I'm at The Home Depot when this happens....I put her in Drive, and I feel the tranny engage...the car moves forward, but only at idle. I depress the throttle and the car will not go at all. Engine just revs like I was in Neutral. I could only coast. So I coast to a gas station...to call a tow. I get back in the car and start her up...problem one. I drove last 3 days cars is normal. I'm now afraid to drive it. Any ideas as to what is wrong? Most cars would require a top-off of auto-tranny fluid...but these cars have sealed trannys and no place to add ATF.

 

I don't know if the dealer checked the fluid level, but these symptoms are indicative of low fluid.