An interesting event today...

Got in the car this morning, turned the key to ignition, waited for the seat belt to run up the track like I usually do, and I started the engine. Once I shifted the transmission into drive, I felt a really hard engagement and the transmission fail lamp came on. I shifted into neutral, then into reverse. Another very hard engagement. I'm guessing it was in limp-home mode using maximum line pressure in the transmission?

I turned the ignition off. Waited a second, then started it back up, and everything was fine. Smooth shift into Drive, no transmission light. I drove the car for about an hour total, stopping and starting it another couple of times, and all is okay.

I should add that about 3 weeks ago I got a FUEL FAIL 69 code, "Drive/Neutral Input Circuit" and I disconnected the battery to clear it.

Is there any way to interrogate the TCM to find out what code set the light off? That way I can see if it might also be stemming from the decoder or wiring?

Thanks,
Nick

 

Most of those issue happen because of the linkage that's under the cover on the drivers side of the transmission. Take the cover off and inspect and lube. Lots about that within this forum.

 

Nick:

Just a little Christmas present for you from the Jag! You can clear some codes by disconnection the negative battery terminal, making sure you know the radio code before you do. If you're lucky, that might fix it! I think there's a link in our sticky section to the definitive transmission light fault checklist from Jag-Lovers. A little digging and you'll find it.

Best,
Scott

 

Have been driving the car every day, still nothing yet... I saw there's a TSB on water entering the wiring under the battery tray and vacuum canister, and causing the transmission to default to Limp-Home mode. Maybe that's something to look into?

I'm just glad there's no physical parts damage to the transmission. I can deal with tracing down an electrical issue, though.

Thanks,
Nick

 

The one thing I have found about these cars, or at least mine anyway, is the occasional CEL, Trans fail, ABS, Bulb failure ect is an Key cycle or a fuse pull fixes things more often than not and the issue doesn't return.

If it returns and the code is the same 3-4 times in a row then I will go hunt it down, otherwise its just and older car having a brain fart.

Joe