2006 XKR convertible. The Sports Shift button goes on and off for no discernible reason. When it goes off I lose my ability to engage the lower gears on the J-gate. As I live in Colorado and frequently need to down shift to avoid using my brakes this is a real problem. The problem is intermittent and the local dealer has not been able to identify the source of the problem. No error codes. Sometimes, but not always the button resets after 2 starts but this is not always the case. Please help!!!!

 

When I bought my xk8 the sport button didn't work so I purchased a replacement button/switch on eBay and that fixed it. Removing the bezel is the hardest part, but rev Sam has a video.

That's where I would start, not the dealer.

Good luck with it and I hope you get it fixed.

 

Disabling of the manual gears is something that happens when the transmission controller is confused about the messages coming from the linear switch module (lever). I have not experienced it personally but can imagine the sport mode rapidly switching on and off causing that.

If you turn the switch on and off manually, does it toggle sport mode on and off?

If the switch is suspect, you can unplug it and drive the car. You won't have sport mode but if the behavior is otherwise normal then you know it is the sport button that needs replaced.

If it still acts the same with the sport switch unplugged then the linear switch module is suspect.

 

Once the sport button goes off it is unresponsive and will not engage. It will re-engage upon a restart sometimes but not always, there is no pattern. Ric

 

When the TCM gets cranky about the messages from the linear switch module it will disable sport mode as well.

What I was meaning with my question about the switch was: if you start the car, without driving or even moving the shifter from park, can you toggle sport mode on and off with the button?

Does the red LED turn on and off with the button presses like you would expect?

If it doesn't, then it could be the switch but if the sport button does act normal, then your problem may be the LSM or something with the the wiring.

 

The button does not respond, the light does not come on. There is no way to engage sport mode. It comes on arbitrarily at a later time.

 

Does indeed sound like the switch.

Rev Sam's video on removing the shifter surround is the best place to start. It's not really that difficult to do, but can be a little fiddly to release.

 

Was your issue solved?I am having a similar issue with my 2006 XKR.
The switch appears to work and the red light comes on, but turns off if I get "spirited". It then will not function again for 1 or 2 starts.

 

The Jag dealership could not find the problem as it was random. Finally the found the issue and replaced a part. I paid approx $1000. 1 year warranty on part. Exactly 1 year later it began failing. Jag paid to fix under warranty. Lasted 3-4 months and it began to fail again. I traded it back to dealer for a new XJR.