Automatic and manual gear selector not engaging. Allows reverse selection but when I position the lever into drive or manual it engages a safe (clunk) gear as you accelerarte and the amber light comes on 'gearbox fault'. A Jaguar dealer on imspection suggested that this is not an electrical fault but mechanical and a new gearbox is required £5K. There has been no prior indication of any such fault. Is there a simple solution to resurrecting gear selection without having to change the gearbox?

Adrian Morgan, May 2008

my red light by shifter keep going on and off what could that be

ray, October 2012

Yes change the gear oil to grade b change the transmission fluid to normal red from such as halfords then change the transmission fluid again making sure that you run a magnet through the fluid you will find alloy particles with iron you have removed the swarf or uncut surfaces now drive for 3 miles at 30-50 mph let her cool check the leavel of fluid you will top up by 1/4 litre job done.

pauly milburn Milburn Auto SCARBOROUGH, November 2010

I had a similar prob on my '98 XJ8. I took it to my Jag dealers to have the fault diagnosed on the tester. They located the fault as being the electonic gear position switch which costs £400 & doesn't come with a new box. You could fit a new box & still have a faulty switch so my advise is to get it correctly dianosed.
Cheers.............Roy

Roy, July 2009

THE AUTO GEARBOX IN YOUR JAG IS ELECTRONICLY CONTROLLED AND IT COULD BE THE PROBLEM. IF THE FORWARD GEAR ENGAGES WITH A LOUD CLUNK AT ABOUT 2K REVS IT IS MORE THAN LIKELY A NEW GEARBOX IS THE ONLY ANSWER. IT COULD HOWEVER JUST NEED THE OIL AND FILTER IN THE BOX CHANGING (ITS A SPECIALIST JOB REALLY) FILTER IS ABOUT £20 AND 8LTRS OF FLUID PLUS LABOUR. DOES YOUR GEARBOX PREFORM NORMALLY MOST OF THE TIME? JAGUAR ENTHUSIAST CLUB HAS COVERED THIS SUBJECT IT MIGHT BE WORTH JOINING FOR LOTS OF TECH HELP,(AND CHEAP INSURANCE)

john watson, June 2008