XJ V8 Auto box failing to change up when cold

[Kenxj8]

I have an 2001 X308 3.2ltr sport that has recorded 130K miles which was serviced by Jaguar main agent until I spotted repeated errors with billing!( EG replacement of two windscreen wipers....?)
The car has very little use over past 5 years
A year ago , the gearbox failed to change up from start up for some half mile. After reading up, the filter and oil were changed in the gearbox. (not a complete purge of the system) and all was well again.
Having sat unused for a while the initial drive selection feels stiff and the change up issue has returned but if left to warm up all is well.
The oil level was set so that at ambient fluid just began to flow out of the filler hole. Should this be checked at 80 degrees or with engine running?
I have read posts in the forum indicating that oil changes are recommended at 60K but obviously the Jaguar agent did nothing. With 130K on the clock I guess I have been lucky. The car has not been driven hard and has otherwise been fully maintained with new parts fitted as required and has no errors flagged up.
At this age it is not worth spending a fortune on but I rather find a fix than take it to a breakers.
Any comments or suggestions please.

[Andy P]

Hi Ken,welcome to the JEC Forum for the X308.
Your issue sounds very much like low oil level in the gearbox.
This has to be checked with the engine running and the gearbox oil temperature at 30 Deg Cent,which equals to max oil level(50 Deg Cent which equals to min oil level).
Under no circumstance undo the filler /level plug when the engine is not running,gearbox oil will just pour out.
The oil has to be circulating to achieve the correct level.
As for the stiffness in selection I'm not sure if low oil level would cause that or not.
I'm hoping whoever did the oil and filter change used the correct type of gearbox oil and not any of the Dexron Oils.
It has to be either the appropriate ZF Oil for the 5HP24 or the equivalent LT71141.
Here is a link to the correct Drain And Refill Procedure by Jaguar:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1QLfQy ... vcwXRcQS3g
Feel free to download the file .
It seems quite awkward but it is quite possible to do at home if your that way inclined.
I used a digital thermometer with the probe inserted in the fill/level hole to see when the gearbox oil was at the right temperature.

Food Probe Thermometer

Food Probe Thermometer.jpg (10.85KiB)Viewed 2336 times

If you get a garage to do the work show them the PDF so they understand the drain and refill procedure.
Please don't take it to the breakers
Hope that helps and if you have any more questions just ask.
Take care and good luck.
Andy

[Kenxj8]

Thanks Andy that is exactly the info I needed. I do all the work myself after my main agent experiences.
I have used the correct oil using a kit from Berkshire Jaguar who I use for most Jaguar parts.
I have replaced the timing tension parts and chains, brake caliper, wheel bearings using parts from them without any issues.
I will follow your advice which certainly identifies an error I made in the filling process and Update.
Many thanks
Ken

[Andy P]

Hi Ken.
I've used Berkshire Jag myself and agree,no problem with their parts or service.
Well done on doing all that work yourself.
While I was doing my gearbox oil and filter change I also changed the pressure regulator valve which is a weak point on the ZF 5HP24 Gearbox.
Good luck and take care.
Andy

[J44EAG]

Berkeshire Jag are great for parts. Hot tip. Going to their eBay site rather than direct to their web site often gets you free postage!

Mike K

[Kenxj8]

Well it has taken some time but an update on the gear change failure until warm.
I have followed the process in the link supplied , the box took a further litre of oil befor reaching the level. I used a infra red thermometer aimed at the gearbox sump.
The problem still persists although I have found that by putting the lever across to hold second, the up shift is completed and subsequently all is well. The problem only exists for less than 1 mile.
Further to the change up issue and maybe related to the stiff gear shift, I encountered a failure to start when in park. On checking the fault code, something wrong with the selection switch is suggested. A wagle of the leaver in the park position subsequently enabled starting.
Since the car has been hardly used fo the last yaer, could the shift cable have become sticky thereby failing to locate the switch in exactly the correct position?
Wanting to check the cable I need to remove the trim around the shift lever but how does one do that. I cannot see anything in the workshop manuaI i have other than a reference which I cannot relate to.There must be a way to remove the surround without using brute force. Any pointers/comments please?

REgards
Ken

[Andy P]

Hi Ken,hope you are well and staying safe in these unusual times were in at the moment.
Thanks for the update.
Sorrry to hear your still having the upshift problem.
Strange the car is ok after the first mile or so.
Do you let the car warm up before driving or do you drive it straight from cold?
Here's a link to removing the J-Gate assembly:
viewtopic.php?f=98&t=12010
Use plastic trim removal tools so as not to damage the ski-slope if you can.
Hope the link helps a bit.
Take care and stay safe.
Andy

[Kenxj8]

Hi Andy,, further to your question, I have tried waiting some minutes before driving off from cold and found that the change up seemed to work OK. It is of course considerably warmer weather which may have some influence. The following day I tried it again from cold but driving off straight away and again all seemed OK. With cooler weather on its way Ill try again and update.
best regards
Ken

[Kenxj8]

Hi,
I said I would update 10 months ago but it has been a rather unusual period.
However, I have failed to identify the fault although now that the warmer weather is with us and I have needed to use the car more, the problem is hardly noticeable. I have been trying to find a diagnostic unit that will read the gearbox control module without any luck so far. In another thread I related experience with one that other members had found successful but I found to be useless.
I have now obtained a Foxwell NT530 which Foxwell assured me that it is compatible with my car but wo, it fails to recognise the car is connected for most part although forcing manual protocol setup does produce a few engine related data.
It certainly seems that the car is just wanting to be used. Sitting around doing nothing causes contact issues on connectors etc so I had better just use it more!
Ken

[Andy P]

Hi Ken,
Glad you still have the car and the problem is not as bad as it was.
Regarding the diagnostic tools,I use the Torque Pro App on my Android phone and a Bluetooth OBD connector for the basic engine codes.
I've often thought about getting the IDS software and tablet/laptop to use myself but your talking about £300 to £500 for a used one and they seem quite complicated to use going by what I've read and how often would I use it.
Then there's the risk of messing something up within the car and having to call someone out to put it right .
Here's more info on that system:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xj-x ... -a-201594/
Or this one:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xj-x ... -a-232717/
I've also read about AutoEnginuity with their Jaguar-specific Enhancement which seems quite good.
More info here:
https://www.autoenginuity.com/
https://www.autoenginuity.com/products/ ... expansion/
On using the car more often I totally agree(they like being used)
Hope that helps a bit anyway.
Take care and stay safe.
Andy

[Kenxj8]

Hi Andy,
Yes i too have the Torque app with the ELM327 connector and have found it to be very good for engine diagnosis and it still is.
I also have a very early Auto Ingenuity package but the current package is rather expensive. Gendan no longer seem to stock it although it is on their website at £408 but out of stock. The link takes one to the Foxwell NT530.There are lots of good comments about the Foxwell device so I got one but I cannot get it to properly connect to the car. I only got the device on Friday so am awaiting response from Foxwell support.
I recently had a knock sensor failure come up (using the Torque diagnostic) and spent hours checking all I could and eventually obtained a new sensor. No that did not fix it! After further document searching, I found the info I was originally using had the bank 1 & 2 swapped . On checking the other sensor a reseat of the connector by the thermostat fixed the issue. Bank 1 is the Drivers side bank 2 the passenger side!

Ken

[Kenxj8]

A very late update. the gearbox issue has disappeared after the oil top up and some subsequent use.
The diagnostic Foxwell NT 530 does indeed access all the ECUs but it needs some special instructions to use it.
These are not easily found , one does not follow the menus as presented.
For the XJ 308:-
Connect to OBD socket
tab to Jaguar/landrover menu
select Jaguar
select Manual selection
select VIN range "F20645-F99999"
select diagnosis
select control modules.

The above sequence is not logical but does take one to the required place and can access a ton of info.
Have just reset the ABS light having triggered a fault whilst changing a ball joint on the suspension.
Hope that helps

[Andy P]

Hi Kenxj8,
Good to hear your car is going well.
Thanks for the instructions on the use of the FOXWELL NT530.
I might treat myself to one as I am still using Torque Pro on my phone which is ok for engine codes but I would like to delve a bit deeper.
Thanks for the update.
Enjoy your car.
Take care.
Andy

[lovejags]

Hi I have a 2002 xj8 3.2 and a couple of years had a transmission flush and refill all has been fine until now. The j gate has become stiff and it struggles to change up gear. Any ideas please?