My 1995 6 cylinder Jaguar XJS Automatic Transmission Shifter was not shifting and stuck in park after I bought it recently and went to pick it up. When I test drove it, that wasn't a problem.

The car was towed to a shop. The mechanic said he disconnected the cable on the transmission side. He said the cable is binding and the transmission lever is hard to turn. He was able to put the transmission in neutral. He thinks that the linkage will free up after the car is driven a bit. For now he says the cable is frozen inside.

He doesn't want to work on the car because he's not familiar with the car and works mostly on German cars and doesn't want to create any more problems.

So i will have to tow it to another mechanic who will hopefully be better able to fix it. I would greatly appreciate whatever advice any of you can give about the problem and how to resolve it. Thanks. 👍

 

It is a German gearbox from ZF in an XJS

 

Thanks for your reply. So what advice to fix the problem?

 

FilmDirector,

I presume you don't mean that you actually towed the car on its wheels, at least not without disconnecting the propshaft?

A binding cable sounds quite unusual. At the risk of questioning your mechanic did he check the operation of the rotary switch and also the interlock inhibitor which are far more common problem areas when there is a problem with selector operation on these late XJSs?

Good luck

Paul

 

Question,

when you starting your car and you press the brake…..CAN YOU HEAR A CLOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE?

I have a 96 XJS and when I press the brake at the beginning of the starting cycle …I GET A CLICK SOUND LETTING ME KNOW I CAN MOVE THE SHIFTER FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE.

I am assuming my 96 built in late 95 is the same as yours.

I am guessing it has to do with the inhibitor switch.

WHEN I DON’T GET THE CLICKING SOUND IT WILL NOT LET ME SHIFT OUT OF PARK.

Good Luck

Softball60/Paul

 

THANKS!! I don't have an issue with my 96', but that's good information to have.

Rick

 

Thanks for your responses thus far. 🙂

Where is the rotary switch?

Where is the interlock inhibitor?

 

Do you hear any kind of noise around the gear lever when you first turn on the key and press the brake pedal? If no, check the electrical switch or the wiring connection to that switch located at the brake pedal.

#37 in the illustration here:
https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.../brand/jaguar/