Jaguar XJ6 x350 - gearbox fault

[Matt UK]

So, I bought a 2005 Jaguar XJ6 3.0 V6 SOVEREIGN 4DR AUTO 2005 with full Jaguar main dealer service history with 59k miles.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... XJ X350

Took it for a 45min test drive and all felt good. No noises from the gearbox, silky smooth changes, no hesitation, no lurching or jerkiness.

On the way home, 60 miles into the journey whilst crusing through the M25 Clackett Lane 50mph specs zone, the revs rise 500rpm, a yellow light comes on and the 'gearbox fault' message comes up. Oh dear. Pull over and stop, into Park. Turn it off, leave it a minute and turn it on again. No message so off we go. Gearbox is good as gold all the way home with all gears availble.

This morning. 30 miles into my journey, crawling in 1mph M25 traffic and yup, yellow light comes on and the 'gearbox fault' message comes up again. We're stopped anyway, so turn off, leave it a bit, turn on. All back to normal.

On the way home, the car did the 65 miles trip with perfect manners.

Now the dealers who sold it seem a decent bunch and want the car back asap to investigate so I'm not too worried. Yet.
It's probably been with them a few weeks and not been used much. They admitted the battery went flat whilst they had it. They also lost the set of keys and sent it to a Jag dealer for new ones.
So, could it just be a case of the car waking up again and getting used to having to do a bit of daily work again?
Recent ECU mucking around leaving an electrical gremlin on the loose?
Or is this a tell-tale sign I've bought a pup?

Ps, I really like this car. We must be bonding quickly - any new car that threw me errors on day 1 would be off to a very bad start indeed. But with the XJ, I sort of find myself forgiving it and willing it to get well soon

Edited by Matt UK on Monday 14th January 20:23

[andymadmak]

Worth getting the gearbox electrical connector thing checked. They do sometimes get oil on them. Also check the oil level. The boxes do leak (a common fault, easy to fix) as this might explain why its dropping out of top gear ( hence revs rising) mine did this at 70k miles and was fixed with a new gearbox pan and cleaned up connector. 300 quid from memory and its worth doing anyway since you change the gearbox oil at the same time. ZF say its a fill for life box, but most owners will advise otherwise.

[V12 Migaloo]

I would also advise you to purchase a new battery. If your battery is the original do your self a favor and buy a new one, it can stop speradic notices like this.

[Ian350]

I used to get this but only very rarely on my X350 which had done approx 110k miles. However I decided that a gearbox oil change was overdue despite it being "sealed for life" and following that I never had the problem ever again.

[Matt UK]

Good advice - thanks all.

First port of call is to take it back to the supplying dealer to see if the code reader picks anything up.
Second is a new battery - I've spoken to a local specialist who advises and stocks an uprated item
Thirdly is to change the gearbox oil - I've been told that they'll drain the oil first and if it's particularly grim, drop the sump as well (but apparantly this can cause issues as the bolts often shear..)

All part of the journey with a used car. Will update as I go.

[sixty]

I'd like to buy my jag from a private seller, for a better price, and ability to read the person and how well its been looked after. Although when I read about stuff like this it instanly reverts me to looking at dealers for that "fallback"

[andymadmak]

sixty said:

I'd like to buy my jag from a private seller, for a better price, and ability to read the person and how well its been looked after. Although when I read about stuff like this it instanly reverts me to looking at dealers for that "fallback"

True enough, although it is worth keeping in mind that this same gearbox is also used by Mercedes Benz and BMW so whatever afflicts the Jag affects them too. Basically the manufacturer reckons it is a sealed for life unit, never needs an oil change. That's nonsense, but the oil change is not that hard, ( although the special fluid is pricey) and as long as its done around the 70k miles mark it should be 100% fine.

[Matt UK]

sixty said:

I'd like to buy my jag from a private seller, for a better price, and ability to read the person and how well its been looked after. Although when I read about stuff like this it instanly reverts me to looking at dealers for that "fallback"

True if you buy from a Jaguar main dealer or Jag specialist. If you buy from a normal dealer, the warranty will be an open market offering - which means you can buy it directly yourself.

When buying older cars I try and buy the best I can find, but do go in with my eyes wide open.
They are used and things will need sorting, nothing lasts forever. Doing the sort of miles I do, I guessing I'll always have a little note of 'things to do'

If I was a betting man, I say the issue with the gearbox fault message should be cured by:
A new battery - at 7 years old I'm prepared to treat it to a new one
A tranmission fluid change - again, at 7 years old the car deserves this as well, to make sure it runs fine for years to come.

[Prizam]

Oil change will fix it. Thay get moisture in them and with this cold weather it freezes and then gives a gearbox error.

Bet it behaves its self now the weather has warmed up

[Matt UK]

Prizam said:

Bet it behaves its self now the weather has warmed up

First 100 miles it came on 3 times and nothing since.
I reckon the early issue was caused by a combination of sub-zero weather, it may have sat at the dealers for a good few weeks and they had to sump start it as the battery went dead.

Now it's been put into daily use and the weather has warmed up no issues. I've now put 1,100 miles on the car and the gearbox is faultless.

I'll still get the gearbox oil done soon though as it's at that sort of milage.

[Stedman]

Great news Matt UK.

Myself and the Father will both be getting X350s soon. It will be his second. Mine will probably be S/C'd

[V12 Migaloo]

It's the battery, I bet my XJ on it. I had the same issues, especiallty when my son was born, short 5 minute stop starts in the winter, with climate, seats, lights and screens on. A new battery cleared all faults, I was getting all sorts of errors. Going to book mine in to Guy Salmon in Richmond for the next service and will get the g/box oil etc changed.
These cars do like long runs more then the stop start variety. Mine seems paerticularly suited to 105 mph. Everything seems to be in perfect unison at that speed.
Keep on coming with the updates Matt.

[Matt UK]

It may well be the battery, but now that the car has been pressed into active service, it all seems fine.

I really do very little short journeys. Fire it up at 6am and drive 65 miles. Get in again and 6pm and drive 65 miles back.

So whilst the battery is getting a good charge I did think the snow would put it to the test - car didn't move for 10 days and started it up at -4 degrees. Quick start, no sluggishness.

I'll keep an eye on it, but will probably run everything as is until it's due a service in about 6 weeks. I can then get a view on what needs doing.

[V12 Migaloo]

Excellent news. Do you actually feel a little more eager now getting up with the prospect of a good drive taking you to work?
On an other note, have started to feel a slight loseness, every so often, to the steering and pedals going left at low speeds.... any thoughts...?

[sixty]

Matt UK said:

It may well be the battery, but now that the car has been pressed into active service, it all seems fine.

I really do very little short journeys. Fire it up at 6am and drive 65 miles. Get in again and 6pm and drive 65 miles back.

So whilst the battery is getting a good charge I did think the snow would put it to the test - car didn't move for 10 days and started it up at -4 degrees. Quick start, no sluggishness.

I'll keep an eye on it, but will probably run everything as is until it's due a service in about 6 weeks. I can then get a view on what needs doing.

how you finding it now matt? economy? much chance to open her up on the commute? comfort? and how you feel sat behind the steering wheel in such a beastly piece of luxury?

[Matt UK]

V12 Migaloo said:

Excellent news. Do you actually feel a little more eager now getting up with the prospect of a good drive taking you to work?

sixty said:

how you finding it now matt? economy? much chance to open her up on the commute? comfort? and how you feel sat behind the steering wheel in such a beastly piece of luxury?

Chaps, I've updated my readers car thread which may answer some of these questions.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[LeighW]

Any update on the gearbox fault Matt?

I was driving to work this morning, 50mph, put my foot down slightly, gearbox changed down, then 'gearbox fault' message comes up. Arse.

I stopped, switched off and on, the light and fault message disappeared. It's already booked in at my local specialist for tomorrow for an ATF change and software reflash, so hopefully it'll be sorted...

[Matt UK]

Ah, not great to hear. Does yours drop into limp home mode as well?

Mine still crops up occasionally. I've had it read at Jag specialist
Code 706 - J-Gate plausibility error

Not sure what to do next, will have to sort something soonish.

Let me know what your man comes back with - I hope a flash n flush sorts it for you

[LeighW]

Yep, really sluggish pulling away (starts off in 3rd gear when in limp mode apparently!). It did it again first thing this morning when I was reversing on my drive. Having read up a bit, I wondered if the battery was dying, as it appears that this can cause all sorts of error messages. Seeing as I had all the screen heaters, fan, seats and lights on as well, I hoped this might be the cause.

Anyhow, the garage have called, and it was coming up with a low voltage type message (I forget the exact wording), so they tested my battery and it's failing. So it's had a fluid change, reflash, and a new battery. I pick it up in the morning - fingers crossed that's sorted it!

[LeighW]

Update Matt. New battery seems to have sorted the problem, touch wood!