I have a 1997 XK8/X100. Starting a month ago, on pulling off it has tended to stick in first (or possibly second). I tend to do short trips only of 5-10 miles. If I go through the box a little it rights itself fairly quickly.
I'm wondering if it is because of these short trips/cold box oil/almost certainly never been changed? It is happening more and more. It started a few months ago, after I noticed when I put it into 3 or 2 (e.g. coasting down a hill to a junction to save brake wear), the feeling in the box was very vague and not clear a gear had engaged.
Any thoughts welcome. I imagine as it is 27 years old it needs an oil change (only 60k on the clock) or could it be something else? Battery runs down to 11 volts if I leave it for a few days without the trickle charger, could be a factor? maybe?
Any thoughts most welcome.

 

I would definitely change the fluid and filter before considering anything else as it is overdue for change. I also would not put the gearbox into a lower gear than the control unit would select in order to avoid brake wear. I have never heard of anyone doing that before with an auto gearbox. Gearbox wear is a lot more expensive than brake wear.

Richard

 

From the ZF 5HP24 repair manual.........................

 

I have always manually selected a lower gear when going down long inclines with all my Jaguars, over the past 40+ years, and it has never given any transmission problems.
Strange you say that, as everyone I know with an auto transmission does it. I thought that was the main purpose of the left side of the J gate.

Extract from drivers manual

 

I don’t know, yes the manual states that procedure. But as has already been posted by @RichardS use the dang brakes.

brake pads and rotors are way cheaper than transmission parts. The only time I would use engine braking in an auto transmission car, would be if the brakes were getting overheated and fading.

Z

PS / OP, change the ATF as soon as possible . Continuing to drive the car “as is” is going to cost you a transmission repair, sooner rather than later. If it were my car, I wouldn’t drive it another inch before a fluid change. The 4.0L XK8’s have several transmission weaknesses that can cost you thousands to address. Your best bet is to put the right fluid in the car and pray no damage has been done.

Use only the Jaguar approved fluid. Don’t rely on a bottle of ATF saying it meets the same specifications. If Jaguar doesn’t approve it, it turns out there’s a very good reason for that. Many here have tried ATF not on the Jaguar list, and everyone who’s done that ended up draining out the fluid and putting in the right stuff.

Z

 

^^ What he said.

You're in the UK so there should be no problem getting the correct LT71141 fluid, or one of the true equivalents listed in DonB's post. Avoid the imposters:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...2/#post2790036

Change the filter at the same time and, again, make sure it's a proper OEM.

Consider replacing the main pressure valve for the Transgo or ZF updated one 'while you're in there'.

 

Ha ha. We must travel in different circles

I’ve only used the left side of “J” gate for acceleration purposes, not de acceleration ones.

Z

 

I agree with getting the oil changed but also consider the state of your transmission shifter mechanism. If misaligned (due to cable stetch for example) it can cause the gearbox to get confused. Can you see the red numbers light up as appropriate on the shifter panel as you shift?

 

Sorry, posted my reply twice.