Several times over the last couple of months, I have gone to start my 2010 XKR only to find that I can't get the rotary shifter out of Park or only into Reverse. And once in Reverse, I can't shift back into Park. The first couple of times it happened, I noticed that I had either been parked on an incline or had backed down a steep incline. Each time it happened, within a few minutes, and restarting the car a number of times it would return to normal and let me get on my way. Not wanting to find myself stranded, I took it to my mechanic to read codes and try and get it fixed, and a park/neutral switch fault came up. As a precaution, we ordered a brake switch as well. After waiting for two weeks from Galpin Jaguar, they said there was no park/neutral switch for 5.0L cars and they sent the brake switch. Thursday morning, I was at one of our properties, and I started the car, put it in reverse, and then could not get it out of reverse. No matter how many times I locked and unlocked the car, I could not get out of reverse. And, of course, since I couldn't get it back into park, the emergency neutral release in the console didn't work either so that I could have the car towed. After about 30 minutes, it finally, on its own, went back into park and I was able to get it into neutral for towing. Today, the brake switch was replaced, but the problem continued. Any ideas? And has anyone else had a similar issue?

 

TBerg, any chance the transmission is low on fluid. I mention this because you said you were on an incline. My XJ exhibited a similar problem a few years ago in the garage where I worked, it had a very steep, long entrance ramp.

 

In years past I'd say the Locking Pawl on the transmission was sticking to the cog due to the incline, but I don't know about this crazy electronic stuff nowadays.
Does it stick at all on totally level surfaces? Do you use the E-Brake before you release the foot brake while parking?

 

Now it's not shifting out of park or reverse even on flat surfaces. The other times I noticed it after being on an incline. I asked when it first happened for the mechanic to check the trans fluid level, but he said this was not the issue. He and I are both researching possible causes and solutions this weekend.

 

Do you know what the code was and whether the appropriate diagnostic tests were done based on the code?

Some of the possible codes are below and the attached TSB explains how to use SDD to test the brake switch.

CONDITION SUMMARY:
Situation: This Bulletin is for information only to aid in diagnosing Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) for the Transmission Control Switch (TCS) module.

One or more of the DTCs below (a-e) will be logged if the Transmission Control Switch has an internal fault.

If any of these DTCs are stored, it is necessary to replace the Transmission Control Switch.
a) P176C-12: Transmission Range Selector Lock Control Error
b) P176B-71: Transmission Range Selector Up and Down Position Control Error
c) P176C-73: Transmission Range Selector Lock Control Error - actuator stuck closed
d) P176C-11: Transmission Range Selector Lock Control Error - circuit short to ground
e) B1087-87: LIN Bus 'A' - missing message

Other vehicle faults can result in the Transmission Control Switch becoming stuck in gear or not rising / falling correctly. If any of the DTC below (1-12) is logged then the cause must be investigated and repaired.

The Transmission Control Switch must not be replaced due to any of the DTCs below being logged. Use the relevant SDD pin point tests and DTC information in the Workshop Manual for help.

1. P0850-29: Park / Neutral Switch Input Circuit
2. P1707-07: Transfer Case Neutral or Park/Neutral Indication Circuit - commanded position not reachable
3. P1707-77: Transmission park release cable manually deployed
4. P1571-64 / P0571-68 / P0504-62: Brake Switch Incorrect Adjustment
5. P1707-72: Transfer Case Neutral or Park/Neutral Indication Circuit - Actuator Stuck Open
6. P0606-47: System internal failure - watchdog/safety failure
7. U0101-87: Lost Communication with Transmission Control Module (TCM) - missing message
8. P0919-93: No shift from N to P or from R/D to P or from R/D to N despite driver request
9. C1B00-68: Steering Angle Sensor - Centre Position not established
10. P0850-29: Park / Neutral Switch Input Circuit - Signal Failure
11. U0101B-87: Lost Communication with TCM
12. C1D15-64: Brake switch deceleration diagnostic

 

Thank you so much for that information; it seems entirely appropriate to my car's situation. Unfortunately, Galpin Jaguar was not very knowledgeable about the problem. But now, hopefully, we can resolve this quickly. thanks again.

 

Well, I finally got the car back this afternoon. The whole rotary shifter mechanism had to be replaced. A new one from Jaguar was $1150, but a Jag dismantler had a used one for $300. We picked it up, installed and reprogrammed, and it's back to normal. However, it doesn't look the same. The buttons and surround on mine were stainless steel looking which contrasted nicely against the piano black. The replacement has all black buttons (dynamic, snow mode, cruise, and dsc buttons) as well as the top surround which has the PRNDS letters, and the vinyl of which the black is made is quite sticky. I'll take pictures of both units, side by side tomorrow. While at the shop I saw my X100 whose complete restoration is almost done. They were wet sanding the paint today, and I should get it back next week or the week afterwards.

Moderators, please mark this thread RESOLVED!

 

I had this problem, it was due to debris/sand between the shift knob and mounting plate.

With the car off, take a can of compressed air and thouroughly spray around the rotary shift knob to blow any dust and debris away, then start the car and rotate the shift knob
while spraying air around the outside, pulling up and pushing down lightly.