A few days ago my transmission intermittently began starting in first gear even though I was in Drive (or fifth on the left). Worse, it wouldn't shift into second even as I passed 4,000 rpm. In order to upshift I had to move the lever over to the second gear position and then move up to third. While intermittent, it happens frequently enough that I am now routinely shifting manually through the gears. Also, on the same day this started, I began getting the Cruise Not Available message or sometimes Cruise Not Available/Check Rear Lights. This could occur with or without an accompanying upshift issue. Thing is, when I check, there is no problem with the brake lights. Otherwise tranny is nice and smooth. The thread below describes pretty much the same issue, which was cured by replacing the brake switch. While it's reassuring to learn it may not be a transmission problem, I can't figure how the brake switch would affect the transmission in that manner. Can a anyone explain that? Thanks!

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...st-gear-45923/

Aha, with a little more searching I found Jagtec's explanation of this issue (Thanks, Jagtec!): The car won't come out of first if my foot's on the brake. So the switch must be telling the computer that I have the brake on when I don't. Of course, that doesn't explain why it's starting in first while in Drive, instead of second or why I don't always get a message, even when it's been stuck in first.

The transmission always always starts out in 1st from a stop or very low speed. When going around a corner it will downshift to 2nd unless you slow to a crawl.

I just had the same problem..two transmission rebuilders told me I needed a new tranny...I took the switch out, sprayed it with CRC contact cleaner, checked it with an ohmeter...and it worked..Could not get it back in, so I soldered a copper wire to the studs, threaded it to the mount holes and pulled it up....
The transmission problems disappeared...

I hope you let the transmission shops know you fixed it yourself -- without a new transmission!

I'm thankful I can use the J-gate to shift until I get at the switch. My lights do work.

To close this thread I wanted to post that my transmission problem was cured by replacing the brake light switch. Whew!

Shifter cable adjustment.

No, not this time. It was the brake light switch keeping it in first. I was told since the brake light is on, the computer thinks my foot is on the brake and keeps the tranny in first as it would if I were indeed stopped. All good now.

Put the shifter in manual 4 and see if it shifts. That is if it does it again.