My 02 XJ Sport with 110,000 miles is starting to get very slow shifting into drive or reverse from a full stop. Once moving, everything functions normally. I am ready to sell the car as it is my second driver and I no longer have a need for it. Any suggestions on what might be the cause. I don't want to do a trans rebuild, so I'm hesitant to take it in to the local Jag expert. I'm sure that's what he would recommend. I also don't want to try to sell it the way it's driving right now, so something has to be done. Could it be something as simple as a fluid flush and refill?
Thanks

 

Have the fluid level checked.

 

Thanks, will do.

 

I know this is 2 years after you're post but I am wondering if you found the problem. My 03 XJR does same thing. It is slow to engage when I put it into drive or reverse - it also is like a 2 step engage. Car will start to move about 1/2 second after in gear but then takes another 1/2 second til it is "fully" engaged.I flushed and refilled tranny fluid about 6 months ago - it was doing it before that and is still. I thought I read somewhere that if tranny is even slightly low (1/2 liter) that it will do this but my dipstick reads full.

 

Bad news. Took the 02 XJ Sport to the local Jaguar garage and had the transmission fluid checked. Was told that the level was fine, most likely the front drum in transmission was going bad and would cost about $2500 to replace just that part. Not what I wanted to hear. Guess I'll try to trade it in and see what I can get for it. Would hate to sell it to someone with that kind of repair looming.

 

You may want to read this thread before you get ride of it!
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/j...y-money-27985/

 

Too bad you are so far from me. I have 2 'spare' gearboxes and keep one for my 1999 XJ8L with the updated 'A' drum. I just installed one in a customer's 2000 VDP and the total bill for parts, labor and fluid (the correct ESSO LT71141) was $1800.00.

I will disassemble the failed VDP gearbox to see if the 'A' drum failed (more than likely)

You just need the drum, a seal kit, new filter and fluid. (and probably some exhaust studs and nuts to the cataverters that break when removed)

bob gauff