Transmission will not engage?

Tiny
BOSMAC
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 JAGUAR XJ6
  • 4.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
I was in neutral making a turn because the car have been cutting off sometime when stopping or when making a turn. That's why I had it in neutral so I could keep one foot on the gas so it would stay alive by pressing the gas to keep the motor revved up. So I made the turn and put the car back in drive and when I did something underneath the car jerked or bumped hard and that was it the car would not go forward. I had to drive in reverse back home then I got under the car to see what was the problem and I noticed that the rear mount on the transmission was broken. I replace the mount and still the car won't take any forward gears. So what should I do next? Do you think the transmission is gone? What I really don't know and would appreciate it if you could give me some advice about it.
Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 5:36 PM

19 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,055 POSTS
Hi,

If you heard a noise, it does sound like something mechanical was damaged. By accident, did you shift to reverse? Next, when you place it in drive, and rev the engine, does anything happen? For example, do you hear the engine RPM change? Does the speedometer move? Does the gear indicator show the drive position? Can you place it in low 1 and have a response?

Next, is the check engine light staying on when the engine is running? If it is, you really should have the computer scanned to see if there are diagnostic trouble codes which could indicate where a problem starting. If at all possible, the can bus system shows be scanned to identify any module problems in the entire vehicle. CAN stands for computer area network. All of the modules are connected together. This is the best think to do because it shows all faults.

Here is a video showing how it's done:

https://youtu.be/InIlnsjOVFA

Let me know.

Take care,
Joe

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Monday, October 5th, 2020 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
ALTON001
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
  • 1987 JAGUAR XJ6
Transmission problem 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 110000 miles

I have a 1987 xj6. It was running and shifting fine one day and then the next I went to move it and it won't go forward. The engine just revs and goes nowhere. It works just fine in reverse and when I put it in drive right after stating it, it will move a little, but the warmer the engine gets, it refuses to go forward even with the Pedal on the floor. I have change the fluid and filter, the accelarator cable, the shift control cable, but with no success. Any help you can offer will be greatly appreciated.
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BENTLEY EVERSLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
Hey Alton001, Do you have a coolant lost problem. Have you been checking your coolant recovery tank? If not check it and let me know if you have to add coolant. I had the same problem with my 1987 Jaguar XJ6. Get back to me.
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALTON001
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I didn't think that would work, but now the tranny is shifting but not as good as it did before. It seems a little sluggish. Did you have this problem after you refilled yours?
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PMALLY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
So my jag just did the same thing today I rolled out of the driveway and onto the highway, we live on the top of a hill and the highway is about 1/4 mile away on a straight away so I never noticed until I rolled out into the road and had no power so I pulled over and noticed that reverse still worked, I had used it to back out of the driveway. I drove it the night before and parked it and today when I went to drive it just wont go? I also noticed that it was about 1 and 1/2 quarts low on transmission fluid but this just happened over night kinda puzzles me usually the transmission should start slipping first before it fails. Any ideas? Should I just pull the thing out and get it rebuilt
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BENTLEY EVERSLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
Hi Alton001, Sorry but I had problems logging in, 2car pros kept sending me new pass words but none would work, so I got away from the web site for a while. I also just returned from vacation. Any way if you had this transmission problem along with the coolant lost problem for a good wile. Your problem is the trans cooler which is located directly under the radiator. It's a tubler looking piece. It's actually a tube within a tube. The inner tube carries the transmition fluid and the outer tube carries the coolant. The inner tube is leaking, and it allows coolant to enter the transmission. If it's not to late you can have an external trans cooler install and by pass the factory cooler. Have a transmission shop take a look at the extent of damage done. Get back to me.
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BENTLEY EVERSLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
Hi Alton001, I haven't heard from you? How are things going with your Jaguar. Did you get anything accomplished? Was any of my information helpful. Drop me a line sometime. I would like to know.
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALTON001
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thank you for replying to my post. I have been in Germany and have not had a chance to check the Transmission cooler. I will do that tonight and get back with you. I refused to drive the car anywhere since it barely goes into forward gears. It did started moving a little when I topped off the radiatior, but I could tell I was loosing coolant, and couldn't find where. Hopefully This will solve my problems with the gremlins.
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALTON001
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I tried checking the Transmission cooler, but all seems to be fine, Is there anything else that could be the problem short of rebuilding the transmission?
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BENTLEY EVERSLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 31 POSTS
Dear Alton001, My transmission problem went on for almost two years, before I found out where the trans fluid was going. I did have to get the transmission rebuilt and added an external transmission cooler. You may want to call around your town to get quotes on the rebuilt cost, before towing the car anywhere. Let me know how things go, and Good luck!
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALTON001
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Well I guess I am going to have to big the bullet and pull lthe transmission this weekend. I will rebuild it and throw it back in in a couple of weeks. That's my last resort. Thanks for all the info.
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIM DOWNS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Any one know why my 89 xj6 has no reverse it dent matter where I put thevshifter on the J type shiftier its all forward yes its a automatic. Please help my brothers.I noticed it has a trans relay undervglove box could it be that
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,363 POSTS
It sounds like you have shift cable or mount on the transmission that has become loose. You must start by lifting the car Here is a guide so you can do that safely.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/jack-up-and-lift-your-car-safely

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIM DOWNS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thank you for the info I hope its that easy.I bought this car from a teenager Cheap 250 bucks car is in great shape. He gave up said power brakes Dont work well the res. Was empty fixed the leak power breaks are back
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,363 POSTS
Lol sweet. Let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIM DOWNS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Well I got it to go into reverse but not drive slips I readjust linkage it was off bubbled check it so is the drive belts bad now or can they be righted on a jag tranny
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,363 POSTS
I don't believe the bands can be tightened it sounds like you need a rebuild
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIM DOWNS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
It appears guild to high if I change it new filter do you think with new solenoids would that work?
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,363 POSTS
It is worth a try. Here is a guide that will help you.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission';

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Wednesday, March 10th, 2021 AT 7:05 PM (Merged)

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