Hi fellow enthusisasts:

Does any one know what causes an intermittent jerky change from 1st. gear to 2nd gear in an automatic transmission?

Thanks a bunch for your help.

BobC
2004 XJ8 4.2VDP 83,700 miles

 

This is a common complaint. The good news is that you can probably cure it 80% of the time by changing the transmission fluid and filter. Go with Mobile 1 ATF and get it done by an experienced indie shop. It's not that big a deal and there are plenty of threads on the subject if you do a search. In fact there are quick links in the FAQ section.

Pay no attention to the Jag recommended service fluid and intervals.

Many of our members, the ones with average or better shade tree skills, have done it themselves.

Keep us posted on how it turns out.

 

I had a similar problem and it was completely cured by a re-flash of the transmission, I believe the dealer charged about $200.

 

Thanks guys. I had the transmission serviced and it does seem to have cured the problem. Appreciate your help.

 

Previous reports were that performance continued to improve for several days after the service . Do get back to us on that aspect and do let us know what ATF fluid you chose.

 

I get this sort of thing ocasionally with mine, especially when I have just stopped dead to make a turn across traffic, then need to move quickly to make the turn. I can get a real clonk in these circumstances, but I have to say at the moment I just accept it as a characteristic, as I had similar with the Jatco box in my previous car, a Rover 75.

 

Tarheal:
Performance seems to have improved. No more jerky changes between 1st and 2nd gear. But it's been just a few days since the service, so it maybe too early to really say that the problem has been fixed.

I bit the bullet (as is customary in Texas) and went with the Jag original synthetic transmission fluid. Silly me! It was dreadfully expensive. But I may just have saved a very expensive repair.

 

Sounds to me like a home run, even if you did get hosed on the ATF fluid.

Happy motoring.

 

Thanks Tarheal. Stay away from those gators in FL.