Hi, 1998 XJ8 Auto, In the morning car will start in Park, After driving 2 miles or more and stopping, it will no longer start in Park but does crank. Shift into Neutral and it starts no problem. The car drives great, just this niggle thats diving me nuts.
Tom Barlow

 

I had the same problem that progressively got worse, to the point where selecting park and neutral was difficult and the getting it into Drive was also difficult. It was the gear selector cable that was faulty so I changed it and the problem disappeared. The cable has a ball and socket at the end and mine had rusted and was sticking so was not engaging gears correctly. The cable is also prone to stretching over a long period of use which gives the same symptoms. If the lights on the J gate don't light up when the gear stick is moved into position that is the first sign of a stretched or sticking cable.
I bought a used cable for about £30.

 

Hi, Is this an easy job or do I take it to a main dealer (sick)

 

It's not difficult but depends on whether you have the facilities to raise the vehicle sufficiently to work on the transmission connection from underneath.

The cable route is from Transmission Selector to LH side of the Transmission:



Connection at the Transmission is:



Connection to the Selector is:



If you intend to DIY, you'll need the procedure for removing the Centre Console Veneer Panel.

Graham

 

It's really a two man job especially during final adjustment or you will be in and under the car numerous times adjusting your nuts !

 

 

Thanks everyone for the help. Was worried I had a duff car, made me feel a lot easier. I will get the local garage to do this as I'm not that confident and they know about Jags, Got some long journeys to come so I have to have it right. Anyway THANKS again for the advice.
Regards all
Tom

 

I had this happen today. The key will not come out and my Jaguar XK8 only starts if I turn the key to the on position and put it in neutral. Even after I turn off the car … the key is stuck. I assume that it thinks it is in neutral? Please help. I will take the car to the Jaguar repair and see what they say. I appreacite any help in this matter. Regards, Adam