Transmission is starting to get a hard shift from 1st to 2nd and 5th to 6th. Everything I have been reading says I need a fluid and pan change. Phoned the local Jag dealership and they tell me unit is sealed for life and I probably need a re-flash. What am I to do? 2004 vdp 132,000 kms.

 

the Jaguar dealership told you they couldn't change the tranny fluid? lol wow...

all they do is pump new fluid through until it stops spewing old fluid...

 

They pump new fluid through at $72 per quart. When they say "sealed for life" they mean the life of the warranty, not the car. Do a search for transmission fluid change and you will find many threads, but you are right at the mileage where you need to decide. From what I've learned, a trans fluid change should be done between 60 and 80k miles, and after 100k DO NOT change the fluid.

 

Why not change fluid after 100k ?

 

Dropped my Fluid and changed at 50K,100. I'm at 130Know and will be done again at 150K.

While on Fluids I also regularly change coolant, brake, power steer, engine and diff oils

Cheers
34by151

 

From what I've read, if you go 100k with the original fluid, you have enough wear that new, clean fluid will accelerate the clutch wear and the transmission will fail. I also saw another thread where someone changed the fluid at around 100k and the trans wouldn't shift. He put the old fluid back in and it started working again.

You'll find many threads on this, with many people saying leave it alone and others saying change it, but the time to decide is now.

 

TCM reflash will probably cure the rough changes, but a fluid and filter change will be beneficial, but costs a lot due to flushing through to ensure all the old stuff is removed. This is because the torque converter cannot be drained.

 

I had the transmission reflashed at about 110000 miles when the changes got a bit jerky , I did mention the fluid change and the jaguar technician ( who I had known for about 20 years ) said he personally would advise just the reflash.
The car is now on 182000 miles and ( touch wood ) is still really smooth, I must add that I rarely use sport mode.

 

Thanks for all the input, I am going to take the car to a reputable transmission specialist tomorrow and see what he has to say. Will probably go with the reflash, thanks again everyone.

 

Just for clarity - there are two things you can do with software:
1. see if there's newer firmware,
2. clear the adaptations and re-teach the tranny.

The second option requires some effort, since you need to accelerate and slow down a couple of times undisturbed. I can't understand the standpoint that after xxx miles you cannot replace the oil. Of course, if it's running fine, better don't touch it, but if you have problems, what do you have to lose? Would it be really worse than just waiting until the tranny breaks down completely?

 

Transmission guy drove the car extensively today and is recommending taking it to Jaguar for the reflash as the first step. Booked in for Monday morning, will post results.

 

Probably cheaper and better in the long run (as you have access to diags) to by a mongoose and do the flash yourself

Cheers
34by151

 

My XJ8 is suffering the same rough shifts ..
I own a cheap OBD2-reader (CreaderV).
What kind of equipment should I get to do the reflash myself ?
Where to get the latest firmware ?

 

The reflash is a reload of the control software held by Jaguar dealers but canbe obtained, because my local independent have just reflashed mine. Not sure what you have to do to do it yourself, but it is reasonably straight forward and not a long job; a half hour labour was what I was charged last year.

 

I have the same exact shifting symptoms. 1st to 2nd and 5th to 6th. I am eager to hear the results of the re-flash. If not, thectsc.com sells the pan/filter and fluid in a flush kit. only six quarts come with the kit. The kit is $241.95 'merican $'s. each additional quart of fluid is $18.53. Its all the correct stuff. Hell of a bargain if you are capable of doing a flush yourself, or perhaps know of someone.

 

Mongoose JLR with factory SDD

I purchased my one here Mongoose JLR - Jaguar & Land Rover Dealer Level Diagnostics & Programming

Cheers
34by151

 

Another thing to consider, and possibly do as preventative maintenance on higher mileage transmissions, is to have the main pressure regulating valve on the valve body re-bored and a replacement oversized Sonnax valve installed...my transmission mechanic says this not only plagues the 5hp24 tranny (resulting in the excessive shift pressure and breaking the A-drums), but also the 6hp26 as well.

 

It's a good day. Reflash worked, shifting as smooth as silk now.

 

Thanks for the feedback on this.

 

Happy to share some good news for a change