can anybody help, I left my xk8 convertible neglected throughout the winter with the idea of selling it during better weather. the battery obviously went dead and i borrowed a bmw battery from somebody just to get me stated. once i tried to move the car , i found that the gear stick wouldnt move to even allow me to get it to neutral. So my question is whether it is likely that something has ceased or could the wrong or undercharged battery affect the gear shift in some way.

Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to give

 

Anti-theft/'brake must be on to move from park/neutral into drive/reverse' shifter interlock. Probably weak battery, make sure your foot is on the brake when trying to move shifter. Also make sure the brake lights are working when you step on pedal - if they aren't there's little chance the interlock can respond. If all this passes muster, there's a torx screw in the top of the shifter surround that you can remove in order to insert a screwdriver or similar to depress and release the interlock. If you need pics or more info check your owner's manual or search shifter interlock here.

 

Thank you for that, not being very technically minded, think i will try fitting proper new battery, your reply was helpful as I wanted to establish whether there is a link to the battery life and the abvility to move the shift. will also check the brake lights.

thanks again

 

good info beav, if you get it started, and still won't trigger the interlock solenoid (hear that click when you dpress the breake?), the brake switch could be bad...i'd say 1 out of 4 of us members have had to replace theirs.

By chance, is she on a steep incline?