I have a 2004 Jaguar XJ8 I just bought with 104,000 miles. When I'm driving the car it will surge and the rpm will fluctuate slightly. Originally the local dealership said it was clogged fuel injectors and cleaned them but did not take care of the problem. Now the local dealership is saying it's the transmission and it likely should be replaced. I have also read there is a recall on the transmissions for this year. Anyone have any insight to my problem?

 

Does it only do it when the ATF is cold, if so it's "normal".

I suggest you just live with it like I do.

 

No it does it all the time...and I've been told it's not normal and I shouldn't have to as you put it just live with it...that's why I asked for insight

 

I don't know of any recall, but there was a service bulletin that recommended changing the fluid and filter. Out of the factory, these cars were supposedly "filled for life".

There are lots of stuff one can try before resorting to replacing the transmission.

 

It's only normal if it does it only when cold.

It may be that a reflash will improve the symptoms and I doubt that you need to replace the gearbox.

I suggest that you check to see if the ATF has been changed during the life of the

vehicle and have the level in the g'box checked first.

There is a procedure for checking the ATF level.

Your dealer does not sound very competent-many of them are not.

Suggest you find a local g'box specialist.

 

Replacing the transmission with the information given seems like an extreme measure, not to mention a very expensive one. Change the fluid and filter, have a competent mechanic reflash the transmission and see if that cures it. My Jaguar had rough shifting and at one point wouldn't shift out of 2nd gear. A reflash of the transmission solved the problem entirely. Apparently the valves had gotten too far out of spec and a reflash solved the problem. Agree with meirion1 that the dealer representative appears to go too far if he wants to replace the transmission. You have other options.

 

Hi Robrad,

This is a known issue and there are several threads in the forum (I'll list some below). Given that Jaguar has issued at least one TSB about this and reportedly extended the warranty on the torque converter for some models, I'm surprised your local dealership service department is not aware of this.

In order of least to most difficult/expensive, here are actions that seem to have resolved the rpm surging for some of our members:

1. Complete flush of the transmission fluid, using only ZF Lifeguard 6 or Ford Motorcraft Mercon SP fluid (no other fluid is correct), along with replacing the the pan/filter and the electric connector sealing sleeve.

2. If symptoms persist, clear the adaptations in the Mechatronic (the Transmission Control Module built into the valve body assembly) and reflash with updated firmware using IDS/WDS/SDD (Jaguar dealer-level diagnostic systems). This may require a special "coded access" reflash available only at a Jaguar dealer due to the need for a code from Jaguar in order to complete the procedure.

3. If symptoms persist, replace the torque converter (TC).

As far as I know, resolving this issue has never required replacing the entire transmission.

Here's a TSB issued for the S-Type on similar behavior:

http://www.jagrepair.com/images/TSB/.../S307-14UK.pdf

Here are some threads to review:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-surge-120616/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...en-cold-11206/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...e-surge-43722/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...morning-87236/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-warmup-95612/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-surge-132318/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...n-cold-184869/

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...e-cold-188234/

Cheers,

Don

 

I agree with meirion 1 and Don B. Had the same problem. Surge means not finding the lockup. Changed (after oilchange and flash without any result) the torque converter with a refurbished one (at acceptable costs). Since then problem solved, transmission as new. I Hope the same goes for you.

YF, Jaap Brummelkamp