My 2002 XKR has just over 40,000 miles. It started going into transmission fault/liomp home mode. The local Jag dealer suspected that the wrong tranny fluid had been used (UNLIKELY) and did a fluid change ($500). That fix lasted only a couple hundred miles. I'm now told thsat the only solution is a tranny swap. I find it hard to believe that a Jaguar tranny is only good for 40,000 in a babied show car (not me; the previous owner). I've had it suggested, that it could be some sensor or computer error and not the tranny at all. Being a new owner, I like to have more than a $15,000 paper-weight sitting in my garage.

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

 

Wrong forum. This forum is for 2006-2014 xks and xkrs. One of the coordinators will move your post to correct forum. Good luck!

 

Hello TM & welcome to the forum:
(First let me say that I doubt that you need another tranny)
I had a similar "limp mode" problem about a year ago. To my embarrassment,(and about a week of unnecessary testing) I had improperly tested for 12 volts at the TCM connector by disconnecting and front probing that connector. Sure, I had 12 volts while disconnected, however due to a bad connection on the bottom side of the driver side under bonnet fuse block(LHD), when the TCM was reconnected, part of the voltage was dropped across that bad connection, which left a less than satisfactory voltage at the TCM. I do not remember which wire connection # or color code it was as I simply cleaned them all on that fuse block. This is not to say that it could be a connection elsewhere or the TCM itself.(during that week I ordered and returned a working correct # matching TCM)
I have had no problem since.

 

Highly doubt the trans is shot, have solenoids checked, shifter box and a number of different possibilities looked at as that Mercedes unit is a very good one. Rather than the dealer, take it to a Jaguar independent or a transmission specialist and have them figure it out. At 40k, it's barely broken in.

 

I just repaired the trans on my 02 XKR. From your post, I'm not sure the trans is causing your problem, but this trans is easy to repair. The most likely culprit is the conductor plate, which sits on top of the valve body in the transmission.

I just replaced mine, and it took me around 2 hours, mostly because I hadn't done it before. I could do it again in less than one hour. There are 6 bolts holding the pan on, 10 holding the valve body, and one holding the harness connector. Once the valve body is out, it just takes a few minutes to change the conductor plate.

While it's out, it's easy to check the solenoids with a 12 volt power source. If they open and close, they're ok.

For more info, search youtube for 722.6 conductor plate or repair. 722.6 is the model of your transmission. There are a few videos showing how to do this.

I paid under $150 on ebay for the plate, a pan gasket, a filter, and the electrical connector (harness connector). I would think that an independent transmission tech would charge less than $300 labor. You will also need some more fluid. Buy Shell ATF 134. It costs around $6/qt. If you work fast, you will only need about 3 qts. You will also need a dipstick to check the fluid level, around $15 on ebay.

Brett

 

Okay, Friends, I took all this info to the local Jag service (Byer's) (who, previously, had changed the fluid and then said I needed a new tranny.) The service manager referred me to a local tranny shop who specializes in "exotic" cars.

I called them and was not encouraged. First, the tech kept insisting I had a Ford Tranny and I kept stressing XKR. Then he seemed totally ignorant of any electrical related problem saying it was not that unusual for this tranny to fail in a car with just over 40,000 miles.

I've done all the simple "fixes" suggested here as well as several others found other-wheres and now need professional/reliable help. Oh for the days of my old '71 240Z when I could still, not only see, but identify/fix everything under the hood.

QUERY: Can anyone recommend a Jaguar tranny specialist within 100 miles of Columbus, OH?

 

You have a Mercedes transmission 722.6. I have validated this on my 2002 XKR. I also replaced the conductor plate. The speed sensors on the plate are the weak link and cause the transmission to go to limp mode. This has not occurred since I replace the conductor plate. There is a you tube video that walks thru the whole process (look for Mercedes transmission information). Made it an easy fix.

 

My problem now is getting someone to look at it. As soon as I say, "Jaguar," mechanics start twitching and stop listening. Even the area exotic import transmission shops decline to even look. I can only speculate as to the reason.

 

Very easy job to replace. Maybe a Mercedes mechanic would help. It is a Mercedes transmission.

 

If they say they don't work on jag or mercedes transmissions, ask them if they know anyone who does. I've got some great referrals that way.

I you can talk to someone about it, tell them they just need to remove the pan and electrical connector, drop the valve body, and replace the plate on top of the valve body.

Surely there is an independent around you who can do this.

Brett

 

So Ive done this change myself hardest thing was getting the electrical conductor plug unlatched but after that its a breeze besides being very messy. Question after you take the valve body out and put it back in how many quarts of transmission oil does it take Ive put 6 quarts in and it hasn't really showed up on the dipstick?

 

How much to put back in depends on how much came out. If you let it drain for a couple of days, you might have to put in 7 quarts. I think the recommendation is to put in 3-4 quarts, start it up and run it through the gears, and then add as needed.

If you drained the pan, removed and replaced the valve body within a few (maybe 3-4) hours, you would probably only have to add 3 quarts or so.

It's possible your dipstick is not going all the way to the bottom, or at least to the stop. If you put in 6 quarts and it isn't registering when not running, there is a problem with the dipstick.

 

ok I will mabe try to move the dipstick around and see if anything changes O didn't realize that it was so long first thought mabe it was not going all the way down but after seeing that it should go until it stops didn't want to jam it down there

 

Initial Problem: "My 2002 XKR has just over 40,000 miles. It started going into transmission fault/limp home mode. The local Jag dealer suspected that the wrong tranny fluid had been used (UNLIKELY) and did a fluid change ($500). That fix lasted only a couple hundred miles. I'm now told that the only solution is a tranny swap. I find it hard to believe that a Jaguar tranny is only good for 40,000 in a babied show car (not me; the previous owner). I've had it suggested, that it could be some sensor or computer error and not the tranny at all."

After sitting in my garage for almost 8 months, I was going to try to change the connector plate on my own following the excellent 4-part series on YouTube. Fearing I'd gum up the works, I checked with the local AAMCO.

The first thing I was told that the $450 tranny service performed by Byer's Jaguar >> Columbus Jaguar Dealership | Byers Jaguar | New Jaguar Dealer Columbus << was not even a potential solution for my problem.

It turned out I had a combination of two problems. The seal on the electrical connector that goes into the connector plate were bad and I had a short in it. In addition, the battery was below Jaguar's minimum standard and when there is a power drain, the computer takes from the tranny first.

In addition, my "newly' serviced tranny was almost 3 quarts low on fluid. There is no fluid on the garage floor where my XKR has been parked. The only possibility was that Byer's did not properly fill the tranny. REMRMBER, their next fix was a tranny replacement.

NOW the rub. When I first discovered all the potential electrical problems I called the Byer's Jaguar service manager and he "confirmed" with his 'technicians' that all these possibilities had been checked and eliminated. If that were true, the leaking electrical connector would have been spotted.

In addition, Mr. Frech told me that the improper gear ration code was a guarantee that the tranny was trash. I now feel sure that that code as well as others like an ABS problem were the combination result of the bad battery and the bad connector.

I have had NO error codes since the two items were fixed at a total cost of under $300.

SO, lessons learned: Beware of Byer's and other Jag dealers who are much more interested in selling you a new tranny or CAR than fixing your old one.

Thanx for all the great help here on this forum.

Mike

 

Hi I have a 2002 xkr with 15k miles. The electrical connector on the side of the transmission was replaced due to leak about 2k miles ago now i have a chattering transmission with a fault code of p0730 wrong gear ratio and it will not engage reverse gear. Ive read here that possible problems are a bad electrical connector.weak battery or defective conductor plate on valve body. does the electrical connector plug into the conductor? should I replace both? Thanks in advance

 

Hi again I have a 2002 XKR and I cant find a transmission conductor plate on ebay anyone know where I can get one other than the dealer?

 

There are several ads, here is one.

Transmission Speed Sensor Conductive Plate Conductor Mercedes Benz Jaguar 722 6 | eBay

 

Thanks I checked that ebay add and it says for xj8 and not compatible for xkr I wouldnt think the conductive plate would be different. would you know the mercedes part number for the 2002 jag xkr?

 

The company from the ebay add got back to me and said the conductor plate will work for the XKR. Thanks for the help.

 

If you have additional questions about the replacement, please open a new thread as it will get more attention. I almost passed by your post since it was on a old thread that I thought was resolved.