XK8's gear selector cable repair + bulbs

[WULLIE4567]

Hi Guy's
My XK8's having a wee rest in my garage, for two reasons,
1; just had op to remove disk in my neck and get a titianium one fitted so not had her out for 6 month or so.

2; She's (the XK8) got a wee problem with gearbox, she's sticking in first gear most times untill I move J gate over to 4 then 3 back to D then she's fine until I move it into park again. When moving through the J gate it gets very stiff as the car heats up (the shift that is)??? . I did put a posting in but plenty of looks no feedback . so can anyone help with ideas ??
I am nearly back to full fitness and intend to strip the J gate selector off the car plus the cable clean inspect and test the micro switches to see if that helps, any ideas would be much appreciated

I have been reading through some of the postings and I see someone's not very happy with our FORUM and could not locate some of his pic's etc, I'm sure Im not alone but I find this FORUM easy enough to use and Im no computer guru, there's usually plenty of help and suggestions from members and site moderators, it's good to be back keep up the good work guy's.

Cheers
Wullie.

[Nik]

Hi Wullie ,
Glad you are on the mend .

I think you are on the right track with your gearbox fault , I reckon its either the cable or the rotary switch at fault , probably nothing wrong with the gearbox itself ,

Best of Luck ,

Nik

[mike020150]

Hi Wullie,

Sorry to hear about your op. To suffer that way, you must have driven too many Morris Minors and Ford Pops in your youth. At least driving the XK8 is a soothing experience.
Assuming the gearbox has not lost fluid, I'd support Nik's recommendations. The gearbox external switches are almost certainly at fault. You should crack the issue with your planned examination although a good diagnostics session might be able to save a little time by pinpointing the issue. Mike.

[bt965]

Hi wully, I,ve got a switch doin nothin. If you want to try it for test purposes contact me . If it cures the problem keep it, if it dosn,t post it back
Bob

[WULLIE4567]

Hi guy's

Thanks for the feedback guy's, Im going for a weeks hol next week and hopefuly get into it after that, Bob I will take you up on that offer for your switch and of coarse I will pay for postage etc, if it works I will pay you for the switch, and thanks for the help everyone.
I will as usual keep you all informed and post pic of the job.

PS, Mike, it was my dad that had the morris minors and ford pop's am far to young for them, I do remember seeing them in the museums I have been to and I see them in heart beat on the telly.

Cheers
Wullie

[bt965]

No problem, bt965@yahoo.com is email address.
Regards Bob

[WULLIE4567]

Hi all
Just back from hols today, I have started stripping the J' gate selector, the first thing I wanted to repair was the illumination of the selector when the side lights are turned on, there are two small bulbs soldered into the printed circuit and they have poped, the man I normally use for this kind or repair (tv & radio repair) has now closed down , the bulbs look the same as the one's used in a car radio facia unit. Anyone any idea where I can get hold of such bulbs?? .

http://www.jec-xk8-forum.org.uk/xk8bb2/ ... 3-1_tn.jpg Picture is also posted in the gallery.

Note the two bulbs one to the rear one in the middle, I have removed the small blue/green rubber covers that slide over the bulbs.
Tomorrow I will remove the selector cable which I think is sticking nearly seized & hopefully this is the cause of my gear probs. As usual I will keep you all informed and post pic's when Iv'e finnished the job.


Cheers
Wullie

[WULLIE4567]

I have now completed the job of stripping and rebuilding the selector unit, removing - replacing the selector cable, and replacing the two fused bulbs.
I sourced the small 12 volt bulbs at RS Components part number 655-9491 (look up the net) for around a £1 each min order 5off, I took the printed circuit to a TV repair man, he replaced the bulbs for me, I would have melted the printed circuit with my large soldering iron.
I used the JTIS CD manual for this repair, shows you where all the plastic clips are and how to readjust the cable.

I removed the trim and veneer from around the J'gate, remember to use masking tape to protect the veneer, then I removed the center console held in by 2 screws at front 2 at back the complete console lifts out with 2-3 plugs to disconnect. This allows you into the cable and the j'gate unit.

http://www.jec-xk8-forum.org.uk/xk8bb2/ ... 5-6_tn.jpg
Picture of j'gate unit with console removed, before strip down of the unit.

http://www.jec-xk8-forum.org.uk/xk8bb2/ ... 5-2_tn.jpg
View of selector unit with top removed, held on with 4 philips screws then disconnect 2 plugs, the top lifts off. (Refer to the pic in the previous post to see the printed cicuit.) Note the micro switches that control P start and N start. these small switches fall to bits.

http://www.jec-xk8-forum.org.uk/xk8bb2/ ... 5-8_tn.jpg
View of selector cable route, note the cable adjuster nuts painted blue.

http://www.jec-xk8-forum.org.uk/xk8bb2/ ... 5-5_tn.jpg
Cable routing through floor grommet, the grommet comes out with cable after disconnecting from selector and gear box.

http://www.jec-xk8-forum.org.uk/xk8bb2/ ... 5-7_tn.jpg
Cable connection onto selector unit, 10mm nut.

http://www.jec-xk8-forum.org.uk/xk8bb2/ ... 5-4_tn.jpg
Gearbox end note the small rubber boot which had came off. this allowed water & dirt into it causing the bottom end of the cable to rust up and seize.

http://www.jec-xk8-forum.org.uk/xk8bb2/ ... 5-1_tn.jpg
Selector cable, It was nearly seized solid so into the vice cleaned up the end which was all rusted up, lots of thin oil etc, then worked it back and forth until it freed up. The reason I did this is because jaguar wanted over £100 for a new one so I thought I would try freeing it up first. Once I had the cable working ok I filled the small rubber boot with high temp grease then fitted 2 cable tie's.

Well after all that she still sticks in first gear, but only after she's been driving for a while & up to temp. Next I will try replacing the rotary switch, thanks to Bob who has a spare for me to try.
If that doesnt work it will be off to the auto box man that stays near me.

At least the selector cable now works as it should and the j'gate surround lights up at night.
I will continue with this post until I have this sticking gear problem sorted.

Cheers
Wullie

[WULLIE4567]

Hi Folks
Finally got to the bottom of this problem . After trying another rotary swicth (courtesy of Bob) the problem was still there when hot !aaarch!. Not like being beaten I went back to the cable adjustment. With the gear shift sitting in 'N' inside the car I removed the connector from the gear box selector lever below the car, the selector lever then clicked fully into 'N' position by itself. This ment that the cable adjustmen was out. I released the 10mm lock nut turned the end of cable Two turns FWD about 3mm refitted it tested the car BINGO sorted !! YEEHAA !!

My conclusion is that with the cable being siezed originally this would probably put strian on other parts of the selector unit and cable etc. so I should have been more carefull when adjusting the cable, always learning.
Hope this helps anybody else with this anoying problem. I am just so relieved the gearbox is ok.

PS, Bob I will return your switch and postage, thanks for your help and lone of your switch.

Cheers
Wullie