Guys, had my 2011 XK coupe at 75,000 miles suddenly exhibit the ‘gear shift module stuck in gear’. Research on the internet revealed this was a common problem on XF’s and XJ’s, but I couldn’t find any reference to an XK having this problem, hence my ignorance of it.

An internet search led me to the video attached below, identifying the problem, and giving a ‘temporary’ repair. Luckily access to the module is easy in the XK, using a very thin tool to pry off the wood surrounding the shifter and this gives full access to the module, Remove 4 torx screws and an electrical connector and it’s in you hands.

Use the video to identify the interlock, and using the screwdriver slot in the bottom of the module turn it clockwise to raise the shift rotator. Remove the 4 torx screws holding the unit together and you have access to the interlock assembly. I used a small zip tie to retract the interlock and hold it off, then simply re assembled the two haves using them to clamp the tail of the zip tie.

Now as to the ‘modified’ function of the shifter.
Can you start the car in gear? No. The car cannot start in drive because the shifter will not rise until the engine has started,
Can the car be shifted into ‘Drive’ by rotating the shifter without applying the brake when the engine is running? Well you can rotate the shifter, but the car does not go into gear, any gear. The shifter must be rotated back to ‘Park’, the brake applied, then the car will go into ‘Drive’. Clearly there is another interlock safety system working here.
Does the shifter automatically go back to park if the car is turned off in drive? Yes it does.
So you can use this as a ‘temporary’ repair that will allow you safely use the car until a new part can be obtained, but used parts are selling for around $300, and new over a $thousand.
It seems, for those of us willing to do this ‘modification’ it is relatively safe way to avoid a several hundred dollar repair if your car suffers from the locked up shifter problem.
Regards.
White Bear.