Gearbox Fault

[Steves]

I have owned my 2004 S Type for 10 months now. A few weeks after purchase the engine lunged with a horrible Knock and an error messgae appeared "gearbox fault". Turning the engine off cured the problem until today.
The same symptons, it seems that between first and second gear change, it 'hangs on' to first gear then a loud 'knock' and a lunge then the fault displays "gearbox fault". Turning off the engine resets the display but will go into this fault after a short drive on, thus going into limp home mode.

I am now greatly concerned this could be an expensive bill unless there may another explanation.

I am due a service, I have done 10K since the last one and have booked it in for a couple of weeks.

Any advice would be appreciated

Steve

[J44EAG]

Hello Steve.

I suggest you take the car to a transmission specialist as soon as possible and drive the car as little as you can in the meantime.

The six speed boxes can exibit as many problems as the old 5 speed units.

If the transmission needs a rebuild, plan on around £1800 which should include a manditory converter overhaul to remove debris.

One guy in Switzerland had terrible problems with his six speed and opened a web site about it. It is called "The Lurch" which fully describes the problem. Take a look.

Also have a good look at postings on this Club BB and also those on the XK8 and X308 sites. You will see a common theme emerge regarding these gearboxes.

Advice from Bristol Transmissions who rebuilt my five speed unit is to change the oil every 24k miles or every two years.

Jaguar sold these cars saying gearboxes were sealed for life and required no oil changing. Ridiculous statement as oil wears out and then wears the gearbox out. Great for the sales outlets but not for us.

This link shows what happens when oil wears out. The clip from u-tube depicts a five speed Jaguar transmission filter choked with debris. Solenoid and valve packs also become clogged and eventually expire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHny69FP ... B&index=17

If you can get to Castle Bromwich on 20th March, the S-type Seminar takes place. Transmission problems and maintenance are on the agenda. Tickets from Nigel Thorley at £60 each. money well spent.

Sorry to hear you have this problem. I`ve been through all this myself.

Come back to me if you need further help.

Mike Kennedy.

[Steves]

Hi Mike

Not what I wanted to hear but thanks anyway.

Just one thing, is it worth paying for a diagnostic check or would this be throwing money at the problem?

Regards
Steve

[J44EAG]

Steve,

A reputable transmission guy would probably do this FOC on the basis that if he could immediately show you the fault codes, you would probably leave the car with him to be fixed. Part of the service. Forget trying a DIY job. Just not possible without the correct tools and electronic gear.

Take to a transmission repairer yourself. Save money in this way. If you take it to a main dealer, they will sub the work out to a transmission man and add a heft premium on top of the transmission guys requirement. I`ve heard of cases where fees have been doubled and VAT added as well.

Make sure the converter is cut open, cleaned, welded up and balanced as part of the deal. Ignore the converter rebuild at your peril if you just have the box rebuilt. Failure to do the converter will result in crud being transfered into a nice new clean gearbox. No option with this. Must be done.

Hope this helps.

Mike

[Steves]

Just an update on my gearbox problem.

I took it to a local auto box specialist...VMTP (Midlands) Ltd, near Cannock.

They took my car up to ZF in Nottingham for a full diagnostic check. They said the results pointed to the third clutch slipping, resulting in the 'gearbox fault' warning and the lurching.
They brought the car back, off with the sump and a good look inside.
Dreading any news, they told me that there were no signs of any damage or even any wear, the box itself looked quite clean so they recommended that a good service with new oils and filter could cure my problem.

I don't know if my car has ever had its transmission oil changed so told them to carry on.

So, serviced box, had the car back for 4 days now and it feels quite nice. Hope that's not tempting fate!!! at a cost of £235 with the VAT.

Don't know how that compares but at the mo I am quite chuffed after expecting a 2K rebuild.

Only time will tell if their recommendation is the right one. Will keep this posted in the near future.

They have recommended that the box is serviced every 20K miles and that what Jag are saying about sealed units is absolute nonsense.

Just to firm up that Jaguar are to be avoided for any rebuild, I went into a Jaguar dealer (in my work suit.....old bill you see!!!) and spoke with a mechanic about the problem. He said that he shouldn't be telling me this, but not to bring it to Jaguar......they will charge a minimum of 5K for a rebuild or exchange unit.....and all they do is take it to a local specialist as Jag literally can't do the work.......so take it direct yourself.

For the record, VMTP have quoted approx £2500 for an exchange unit from ZF for my 3.0 litre. If an exchange is not needed and repairs can be done, approx £1800.

VMTP appeared genuine, they could have easily said that I needed a rebuild, but they didn't, but then again, don't know that if they think it fails soon then they've got £235 on top of a rebuild!!!!!Again....time will tell!

[J44EAG]

That is generally the common score.

I`d be tempted to use a gearbox facility that are capable of doing the rebuild on their premises themselves. Shows they have the knowledge and skill without having to run to a third party. Just a personal view.

Main dealers hardly ever rebuild boxes themselves, anymore than Jaguar built the transmission themselves. Gearboxes are a highly skilled job.

Nothing that you`ve said suprizes me.

Mike