The first time I try to put it in drive everyday it does not. Instead it sticks in first. If I move to the manual
side of the J gate and move back to drive it engages (and the D light is illuminated). After that it works fine until the next day. Any idea’s?

 

Is it a car with the 6HP26? If so, might be the bolts are loose which hold the shift cable to the trans side (under car, 2 8mm hex)

 

The car will not shift up if the car thinks your foot is on the brake. IOW, check if your brake lights are on (even if your foot is off the brakes). If so, you need to adjust the brake pedal switch. There is a ratchet of sorts on the switch trigger itself. If completely collapsed, the brake switch may engage even if the pedal is untouched. It can be right at the limit and exhibit this behavior only sometimes, and dependent on temperature. Just to be clear, this is not the usual switches themselves that need to be replaced, but an $0 adjustment on the existing part. Find a picture of the switch online, and you will see teeth on the switch trigger.

Best of luck, keep us posted.

 

It's a 2000 XK8 so the five speed.

 

Thanks, I will take a look.