I have an XK8 1997. the car been driving good as I barely drive it. It has 84K on it now. It seems like the car skips the first and second gear so it starts very slow after a hard hiccup but then it would drive normal until it comes to a complete stop. This time, no hiccups, it will just start driving slow till it get enough speed.

The Jaguar dealer suggested a new transmission immediately. Another Jaguar expert suggested that the transmission fluid might have leaked but I dont see where I can refill it, so he suggested that we open it up so we can refill it. is this real?? can anyone help?

 

That's not really a symptom of low fluid. I doubt that changing the fluid would help, either. There's a unit in the transmission called the mechatronix unit (or something like that). It's what controls all of the shifting and stuff. I don't know how it works, but I assume it has solenoids and stuff in it. Perhaps it has some problems.

Have you tried shifting into 2 using the J gate? You can't shift all the way down to 1, but you can shift to 2.

 

The car has a ZF 5HP24 which uses a special fluid and has no dipstick. You can research the forum for the procedure, it takes a lift and a method of measuring the tranny fluid temp to do it. I suggest going to a specialist and getting the codes pulled to see if there are any. If its startign in second or third gear, its in fail safe mode and there will be codes. This unit has a weak A-clutch drum which may be damaged. You need a specialist to give it a look if the fluid level is okay.

 

what does it do if you use sports mode?