Gearbox lurch :o(

[tomsjag]

Hi,

I recently purchased a 3ltr Stype SE automatic - unfortunately the car seems to suffer from the 'gear-box' lurch that I understand is a common fault. The main problem is when pulling away and the transition between the first couple of gears..

I've had the car in at jaguar for the software upgrades etc, but this doesnt seem to have cured the problem.

Ive read various other posts about this fault, but as they were from some time back I was wondering if there had been any recent developments as to how to fix this problem!?

Any help would be great - thanks in advance!

[GreatOldOne]

I bought a 2.7ltr Diesel ex demonstrator sport not long ago, and it started to lurch after a week of having it - but it manifested itelf only when slowing down slowly to a halt (say at the lights), and the box tried to find first gear.

I rang my dealer and they took it in 'to reset the adaptions'. After they'd done this, it's been fine.

[mike coats]

I have a 2002 S Type and also had the dreaded lurch. As well as re-programming the gearbox software my local dealer also gave it a 'gearbox flush' and this solved the problem (350 miles on and fingers still crossed).

It maybe worth checking if your dealer did this as it is apparantly what Jaguar recommend in their Technical Service Bulletin.

Hope this helps.

Mike

[tomsjag]

Thanks for the comments!

I'm not sure whether or not jaguar did a 'gearbox flush', though I was assured that the latest software had been installed.. Are there seperate upgrades for both engine and gearbox that should be done at the same time to cure the dreaded lurch?

[mike coats]

There are many stories going about regarding the lurch and it seems some dealers have sorted it and some have not. I don't know if the engine needs re maping or not, as far as I know the gearbox re programming should sort it but I'm sure there will be someone more knowledgeable than me can answer that.

The gearbox flush has so far worked on my s type and I read somewhere that the problem was caused because fluid had not been completely cleaned out of the gearbox after assembly. The flush and refill apparently fix the problem but this could just be an urban myth.

Sorry I can't be of anymore help.

[tomsjag]

Thanks for the advice!

[Dave_3]

It really is amazing that the Lurch is still being experienced by S-Type owners !!

I setup the website http://www.theLurch.com after my local dealer, ZF and Jaguar denied all knowledge of it. I think it is well proven that it exists now and beyond doubt ! Somebody, somewhere was LYING through their teeth. Jaguar UK just washed their hands of it.

At present the best approach is to have new software loaded - this updates both the Engine and Gearbox Management, whilst resetting all adaptive learning points. I have a list of the numbers on my TSB page on my website.

Good luck. Which version S-Type so you drive ?

Dave

[EOS20D]

I have mentioned your web-site here many times Dave. It was my main focal point when we decided to buy one a few months ago. Thanks for setting it up, it has helped a lot although sat here typing this with our car knackered on the driveway because I insisted they got rid of the steering wheel squeak I'm not so sure

[Dave_3]

I can only imagine the SatNav/AC processors have a limited amount of memory and/or processing power so Jaguar just quietly deleted that feature. At least the A/C works now.

I had some problems with my SatNav and console - black screens and completely dead. I also found that my boot had filled with water and the nice fuzzy covering to the wiring loom was soaking - which goes straight into the satnav player etc in the boot. Haven't experienced any crashes since making the boot waterproof.

Bad luck with the steering rack. Hope that gets solved quickly. Bit scary thinking about that happening when you were doing any kind of speed

I see so many people state that Jaguars don't have any more faults than other cars - which is probably correct.

But to me, it is not how often my car could break down, but more HOW any fault is handled by the dealer. I have had PATHETIC support from Jaguar about this Lurch, whereas my friend with a BMW 530D had a power steering fault 2 months out of warranty - BMW thought that a bit odd and picked up the £800 parts bill, he paid £150 for labour. Guess who feels very happy about buying a BMW and tells that story, and guess who feels a prize clown for buying an S-type from Jaguar who just deny any knowledge or experience of lurching in the gearbox There are FAR too many S-Type owners with the Lurch for them to deny it.

I'm glad people find my website helpful. From my experience you are FAR BETTER avoiding the turkeys in the first place. Believe me !

Dave

[EOS20D]

Hi Dave

Take a look at the photo to see what good Jag customer service means.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jaguar and all concerned for leaving this to me to clean up.

[daveybee1358]

can any one tell me how i can top up my stype 4.0 v8 auto gear box as when it gets warm it seem to pull back at 2000 revs and if i kick down it seems not go into gear right away .however when engine is cold it is perfect .also when the ehgine has been running for about 40 mins there is a knocking at the back of the engine drivers side
can any help me please with this problem and wot oil i need for the gear box?i thought the gearbox was a sealed unit ? also how do you get to the sparking plugs is it easy? stype year 2000

[dui666]

I get the lurch in my 2.7 s type but only if i slow down quickly to a stand still. If i slow down gradually it tends not to lurch (although im not sure if it then actually drops in to first or if it just uses torque of second gear to pull away- any ideas??) What I have also found is that I can control the extent of the lurch by lifting off the brake when I do slow down quickly- just before coming to a stand still this really seems to work...................... I am however really glad to see this posting as I thought it was someting I will have to live with but will now go to get it resolved- any idea of cost for the flush mentioned or possible software upgrades?

[Victor]

I get the lurch in my 2.7 s type but only if i slow down quickly to a stand still. If i slow down gradually it tends not to lurch (although im not sure if it then actually drops in to first or if it just uses torque of second gear to pull away- any ideas??) What I have also found is that I can control the extent of the lurch by lifting off the brake when I do slow down quickly- just before coming to a stand still this really seems to work...................... I am however really glad to see this posting as I thought it was someting I will have to live with but will now go to get it resolved- any idea of cost for the flush mentioned or possible software upgrades?

The gearbox drops down into 1st. I think it's fair to say that to eliminate the lurch you need the flush and the software re-flashed. If you just get the flash and not the flush, there is a chance it could return. Iwas lucky, mine was done under warranty so I have no idea of cost. Ask somebody about the additive that ZF suggested at one time, might work.
What part of the country are you from? I know a couple of guys who do know how to flush the system completely (empty torque converter etc.