Hi all,

On my 4.2 XK8, the gearbox solenoid won't let me shift out of Park without using the override, and the "P" is flashing red on the top of the J-gate.

I've checked the microswitches on the brake pedal and they are operating fine (one open, one shut when brake off - swap over when on). The brake light is working fine. I've also checked the solenoid under the J-gate and it is not energising; the voltage to the multiplug which triggers it is sat at 9V and does not change when the brake is pressed. 9V seems an odd voltage to me...?

OBD shows a "Pending" error P1000, which seems to be drivetrain related, and can't be cleared.

Any pointers? Thanks.

 

I would check ALL the DTCs in ALL the modules in the car!

The BPM and TCM are likely to have the info.

bob

 

In my experience the flashing letters are a communication problem but Bob is right, your investigation will go a lot faster if you can get your hands on a more advanced scanner that can read the other modules in the car.

 

I've been working on a troubling XKR lately and when I first walked up to the car and started working on it (OMG) someone had made loose of the JGATE shifter assembly, the cable and the Neutral safety switch. Nightmare. P and everyother gear was blinking - none of the 2-5 gears lit on the LH side of the shifter... As far as I know and remember the problem didn't produce a code (and I could be way wrong about the problems ability to produce a DTC) but I wasn't "operating" the car at the time so much as dealing with a million gremlins...early on.

There is room in the area where its fastened to move the neutral safety switch for and aft - WITHOUT completely removing it. Only a 1/4 to 1/2 an inch, forward and back, if that. But that amount makes a big difference to the position of the little contact ponts in the slide AND to a little spring loaded tab that POPS into place when the car is in park. Neutral is a different story.

Do all of this with the battery (at least one lead) completely disconnected....

So, I suggest loosening the cable a VERY little bit (MARK IT) and re-tighten so it's travel forward for PARK is 2 or 3 thread turns further than it is now AND if there is room in the NSSwitch connection point to the JGate assembly, loosen the 4 phillips screws on the passenger side of the NSSwitch and move IT rearwards a little... The cable MAY have stretched a hair..

Do NOT completely pull the NSSwitch away from the JGate assembly. There is no need. Just loosen the screws 2 or 3 or 4 turns until it will slide rewards a little. The bottom forward screw is a little tough to get at.

Each time you test your work, reconnect the battery (save a radio code and these things if needed) and disconnect if you have more testing to do.

If you Google Jaguar XK8/XKR Neutral Safety Switch you'll get an idea of it's position on the side of the JGate. Images HELP...

There are a few things at play in the JGate where the cable, NSSwitch and assembly come together to tell the systems in the car that the car is properly in "PARK"...
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Sorry. This photo ain't so helpful...
Google Neutral Safety Switch - there are lots of images.

 

Dual Linear Switch... Sorry about that