Jaguar XJ6 x350 - gearbox fault
Discussion
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
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
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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 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...
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
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
Leigh, great to hear your car is sorted, good work.
A new battery was recommend earlier in this thread, but I've not gone down that route yet as the old girl starts on the button. I do know though that a dying battery can cause electrical gremlins.
Did you have any old battery symptoms before deciding to swap in a new one or did it seem ok?
A new battery was recommend earlier in this thread, but I've not gone down that route yet as the old girl starts on the button. I do know though that a dying battery can cause electrical gremlins.
Did you have any old battery symptoms before deciding to swap in a new one or did it seem ok?
Yeah, I've heard that bushes can go quite quickly on these cars.
I've replaced the battery on mine today, so will get a good indication about this gearbox fault. If it continues to happen again, further investigation will have to ensue.
Out of interest, what battery did you go for? Eurocarparts had a 20% online coupon via PH, do I upgraded Bosch S3 in there to a Bosch S5.
I've replaced the battery on mine today, so will get a good indication about this gearbox fault. If it continues to happen again, further investigation will have to ensue.
Out of interest, what battery did you go for? Eurocarparts had a 20% online coupon via PH, do I upgraded Bosch S3 in there to a Bosch S5.
V12 Migaloo said:
My two peneth worth... I bought an OEM battery from Jaguar and found the price fairly competitive with Halfords. The only aftermarket things I will fit on to a car of this stature are light bulbs and tyres...
I did call Jaguar and they wanted approx double for an identical spec battery. You make a fair point Miagloo, but seeing as Jaguar didn't actually make the battery, I'm happy to fit a branded product in line or uprated vs OEM spec. Bosch is pretty well regarded in this field, and for all I know the Jag stickers cover a Bosch one!
Yup, and now that the early niggles seem to have ironed out, I'm enjoying it even more. I pop back to the readers car thread every month to update:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
You still happy with your big cat?
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
You still happy with your big cat?
Jane, sounds like you have some teething probs.
My best advice is to get a good Jagar independent specialist with the knowledge to look after your car. They are complex cars so sometimes a non-marque garage can be a false economy; they tend to have a lower hr/rate but may take longer chasing faults - where are you based? Others may be able to suggest someone.
Great looking car by the way.
My best advice is to get a good Jagar independent specialist with the knowledge to look after your car. They are complex cars so sometimes a non-marque garage can be a false economy; they tend to have a lower hr/rate but may take longer chasing faults - where are you based? Others may be able to suggest someone.
Great looking car by the way.
Further options could be:
Racing Green
http://www.racinggreencars.com/
and
Winspeed - I've used these guys. Not the cheapest but know their stuff and great service. If you like classic and racing Jags, a wander round their workshop is worthwhile - plus if you ask nicely they might let you borrow the 'fettled' XJR whilst yours is being worked on
http://winspeedmotorsport.com/
Good luck and let us know how you get on with finding the fault
Racing Green
http://www.racinggreencars.com/
and
Winspeed - I've used these guys. Not the cheapest but know their stuff and great service. If you like classic and racing Jags, a wander round their workshop is worthwhile - plus if you ask nicely they might let you borrow the 'fettled' XJR whilst yours is being worked on
http://winspeedmotorsport.com/
Good luck and let us know how you get on with finding the fault
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