had a similar problem on the same gearbox of a previous XK but cannot remember the solution  Any advice on this topic much appreciate

A similar problem can be caused if the rotary gear selection switch on the outside of the gearbox is not quite in the correct position. On mine this was caused by hardened grease on the switch. A good clean up and regrease cured it. The fault happened most frequently when changing from "R" to "D," gear would be stuck in either first or second, could never decide which.

 

A clue to check if this is the problem is to look at the lights on the Gear Selector. If the light is not illuminating ( P, D. N. R. etc ) this could be the cause. If this is the case you can move the Gear Selector back and forth, quite forcibly, until the light illuminates indicating the selected gear.

Hi folks,

Nige - you are referring to the X-100 model with the gear lever, whilst Karen is referring to the X-150 model with the rising rotary selector. In addition, the X-100 issue you describe is a static gear selection issue, whilst the X-150 sounds more like it is referring to an "on the move" gear change issue.

The gearbox on the X-150 is "sealed for life" according to the books, but the small print should read that the "gearbox is sealed for the life of the manufacturers warranty liability". The sages will advise that the gearbox oil should be changed on the X-150 at around 60k miles, but it is quite a specialist process and needs to be carried out by someone who knows what they are doing.

What's the mileage on your XK Karen and do you know if the gearbox oil has been changed in its lifetime?

N6 JMX

Ah, OK Jim, didn't notice the year of the car !

thanks guys

yes it was an on the move issue 

it has done around 67000 and I seriously doubt  the gearbox oil was changed up to date-I will organise this -  now you have prompted my memory I think this is what I did the last time it happened on a previous version of this model 

 

Help much appreciated