Can I still drive ?

[MarcP]

I crossed the Channel from France (where I live and had my car serviced 500kms ago) three days ago. The dashboard engine warning sign turned yellow - but I drove on 600kms (I couldn't find a Jag dealership willing to look at my car as an emergency - I tried three) and I still have 2,500kms to go (driving through Wales and Cornwall to finish at the Goodwood revival) before heading back home near Paris.

I have a firsthand 2003 XKR-100 with 120,000 kms.

The car works superbly - as it always has ! - and all fluid levels are good. I had the gear box oil changed by my local Jag dealer about 3,500 kms ago. I was able to get a computer hooked to the car this afternoon and was told by a Jaguar specialist (not a dealer - they want an appointment two days ahead - which for a tourist on the road like me is impossible...) that I have a serious slipping differential issue that probably requires changing the gearbox. I was also told that the car may "drop dead" at any time, or possibly not, before making it back home... The fellow who said this sounded serious and obviously not looking for business as he was overworked and closing shop at the end of the week for a two week holiday...

It is a fact that the car sometimes "jerks" forward - always has - and so I have taken off the "sports" mode - in which I always had the box engaged - after this piece of news. This afternoon I continued my road with the engine warning sign turned off and after 200 kms the car works like a charm and the dreaded yellow signal has not popped back on. What advice can you give a worried tourist who loves his car and is far from home ?

Kind regards,
Marc

[XJR308]

Hi Marc
If the warning light is no longer on since you turned the sport mode off, that maybe your problem. As I see it if you continue with your Journey albeit at a gentle pace you may make it back home without further trouble. If you carry on with your plans and the gearbox fails you are not in any more trouble as the 'Expert' has told you it needs a new gearbox anyway. I assume you have overseas recovery so the car can be transported home and you can continue with your holiday with a Rental car.

Bruce

[Astromorg]

I agree with XJR308's advice.

I'd also get a second opinion on the diagnosis. Without knowing the exact fault code that was there when the MIL was lit it's not possible to be too sure of anything, but as far as I can see by reading through Jaguar's list of codes associated with the transmission system, there are none that immediately jump out as matching the description given. Indeed it's a bit unusual to refer to any part of the 6 speed gearbox as a differential.

If the codes have been cleared, then the MIL will stay unlit until the fault re-occurs or you're unlucky enough to get another fault! So no MIL, drive on, but don't push too hard so far from home!

Good luck

[MarcP]

Thanks. Drove 150kms through beautiful Snowdonia and the car worked like a charm. No yellow warning light... I have a call into ZF - France to see what they think (my local Jag club has a good contact there...).

[wombat]

On your way to Cornwall if you are running the A30 via Okehampton, James Tennant has a Jaguar guy who could help.
Address: Landymoor, Cowsen La, Okehampton EX20 4HY 01837 861478

[MarcP]

Many thanks, Wombat; I'll keep this handy. So far the car runs smoothly (400kms today) but the darn yellow motor warning light lit up 350kms ago... Reached Pembroke this evening...

[MarcP]

So... I made it to Goodwood and thanks to my Jag motor club (French Drivers Jaguar Club), which I caught up with last night, I had an appointment scheduled with Classic Country Car, run by Paul Gravely, at Midhurst. The Jag code that shows up on the "box" is A1101; I have a faulty gearbox electronic transmission module, which does not prevent me from driving safely. No need to replace the gearbox for £5,000 as I was told in northern Wales; it is an easy to replace £497 part, which I'll get done when back home. Thanks all for you "moral" support !
Cheers, Marc

[MarcP]

I would like to thank those of you who responded to my "plea"...

I made it back to France with no problems and immediately left on another car trip (with an XF). I just got back, so I took the XKR directly to ZF, which has a huge maintenance shop near Paris. The diagnosis is bad, i.e. the gearbox hydraulic converter has a problem (the torque converter lock-up clutch no longer locks up); however, the car works smoothly and can MAYBE do another 20,000 kms as is.... The Jaguar dealership says I should change the gearbox. ZF, on the other hand, suggested first they dismount the gearbox and open it up to see the damage. If I am lucky, they only change the lock-up clutch, or possibly, the whole hydraulic converter. If badly damaged, they would then proceed to change the whole box as Jaguar is suggesting.

Anyone have a view?

I shall post this as a separate post to see if anyone else has ideas...

[MarcP]

I just got my car back after repairs at ZF ! They worked miracles, at half the price of a new gear box. ZF engineers did recommend I always stay in Sport mode, particularly when in city trafic with a lot of stop and gos.

[Astromorg]

Presumably that advice from ZF is because in Sport mode the car will start off in 1st gear whereas in Normal mode, it starts in 2nd and thus less clutch slipping is required in Sport?

[J44EAG]

I`ve certainly not heard any previous advice about only using the ZF fitted Jaguar gearbox in "Sport" for town work for the reasons stated. This type of gearbox is in my experience, fully capable of being operated in "Economy" mode at all times....If there were any reason not to do so, that would surely be advised in the Drivers Handbook. I`m not trying to be overly critical or pedantic but I remain rather curious about the reasoning and operating methodology offered.

Be that as it may and now with the gearbox operating well, its worth noting that ZF and indeed Jaguar now advise a gearbox "oil service" at each and every sixty thousand mile interval. That entails fitting a genuine new replacement oil sump/filter and carrying out a partial oil drain down and refill using genuine ZF Lifeguard lubricant. A total oil change is only possible by using a specialised fully flush oil service machine. The reason for this is that quantity of oil remains in the converter, oil cooler and feed and return pipes which cannot be removed during the basic "oil service" procedure. An oil service carried out on my 04 4.2 XJR a couple of years ago cost around £345 plus VAT and included parts, oil, software reflash to latest version together with physical/electronic setting up on a road drive with IDS/SDD diagnostic/maintenance Jaguar laptop program.

Mike K

[Astromorg]

I'm with you on the wondering Mike!

I was wondering whether, while not actually saying so, ZF are thinking that their repair hasn't quite restored the box to original quality? That there's a weakness in there somewhere and that starting off in 2nd gear might show it up sooner rather than later by using 1st?!

[mike020150]

The box 'learns' a driver's style so, if you like to drive briskly, keeping it in sport mode will ensure the gearbox always remains set for maximum performance. Just a thought. It also reduces the number of gearchanges in traffic conditions which can please those who find constant changes mildly irritating. Personally, I find the six speed ZF to be my favourite between the early 5 speeders, the 6 speeders and even the current 8 speed box. I use drive most of the time and sport for occasions when the smile on my face ought to be wider. Mike.

[jeff1954]

So what's the verdict here. Does the gearbox start off in 1st or 2nd when in normal mode.

Jeff