I have the opportunity to buy an "S" type, year 2000. After a mile on a test drive the message "Gearbox Fault" appeared on the display. I have looked at this forum and not really found the reason for the message. The dealer tells me that the diagnosics give a P0795 solenoid message. He has replaced the solenoid and the "Gearbox Fault" message is still there.

The "dealer" is not a registered Jaguar dealer.

Any help would be appreciated.

Mike
UK

 

Ask to see the receipt for the solenoid. Then ask why the computer was not reset? they probably just reset it hoping it would not come back.

 

That year, THAT fault? If it were me, I'd be walking, nay running away. It just isn't worth the aggravation. Unless of course you are a well-competent mechanic, and the car is VERY cheap.
Leedsman.

 

The dealer is now planning to fit a new gearbox. Will the car still be worth £2,000 that it is priced at? I realise that it is 11 years old and can't expect it to be faultless.

I have a contingency fund to pay for any problems.

Is it better to pay another £2,000 or so to get a newer version, say a 2003?

Maybe my heart is ruling my head but I always wanted a Jaguar and I'm now in my latter years.

Thanks for your help.

 

Mikestevens, please go for the 2003...pretty please! Better trans, better engine, better suspension, better...

 

Spend enough time here perusing the posts pertaining to "Should I purchase an S-Type?" and you'll learn that the general consensus is to start with the 2003 model year or newer. Additional improvements were made for the 2005 model year. All S-Types have their quirks, some can be pricey to repair, but you'll generally be better off with the newer models. Being able to D-I-Y most of your own routine maintenance is the key to being able to own and operate these cars without emptying your bank account....

 

i have an 03 S-type (2.5) which i purchased at 74000 kilometres. they have a nicer "more jaggy" interior than the earlier S-type however they are not immune from transmission problems - three weeks in it cost the dealer the equivelant of 3500 pounds to "rebuild" the transmission under warranty.

i would be very wary of purchasing an S-type that had even a hint of issues in that area. i sincerly doubt they would fit a new gearbox to an 11 year old car.

buy a later model if you can - i think you will be happier in the long run.

 

Thanks for that but the dealer IS fitting a new/second-hand gearbox. Do you think the car will be worth £2,000 then?

Mike

 

I'll have to pipe in here on this one... Even if it is a UK transaction.... Oh, and you didn't say what engine it is....

A bit of history... The early cars did have issues.. Most of them were related to build quality..And there is that dreaded trans issue...

The funny thing is that the Ford 5 speed unit is not really that bad. It does have an issue where the springs in the valve body fail, but there is a well documented DIY fix for that, and most of the time that is all that is wrong with them.

Here is what changed:
In your market: 2002.5 saw a refresh of the car. That is when the revised AJ-V8 was introduced along with the ZF 6 speed auto. Also, changes were made in the assembly process to improve panel fit and sealing. In addition, Jaguar revised the suspension and changed the dash to accomodate upgraded controls for the audio and HVAC. The V6 motors on the other hand, did not change.

The next update was for the 2004.5 model. This however was just a reworking of the body and some minor bushing changes in the suspension, that's really all. So, from a mechanical and build prospective, the 2002.5 and up cars are the most changed...

That said, I really don't think the early cars are as bad as everyone makes them out to be... There are quite a few on here with over 100k on the clock...

And back to the trans... The early Ford box is a lot cheaper to service than the newer ZF box. You could probably do two or three complete fluid and filter changes for the cost of one service for the ZF box. If the valve body is serviced and everything else checks out, heck the equivalent of $3,500.00 US dollars for one seems like a really good deal...I'd grab it!

 

I have an update on my story: This topic is mentioned in many places in this forum, but I can't quite relate all the advice to my problem. I have provisionally agreed to buy a Jaguar "S" type, year 2000 for £2,000.
However it has a "Gearbox Fault" error message on the screen, which appears after a mile or so. A diagnostic check revealed the codes P0735, P0775 and P0732.

The dealer used specialist auto-transmission garage who said it was a faulty solenoid. It was duly replaced. The effect of this was that the first two error codes disappeared but the P0732 remains and the Gearbox Fault light is on.

The dealer now is arranging for a replacement gearbox to be fitted.

As you may gather, I'm a complete novice so would appreciate any comments.

It would be possible for me to pull out of the sale and I foresee that will be the advice that I receive. however, I've driven the car for many miles and apart from the gearbox fault, it is in excellent condition and is only £2,000.

Thank you in advance.

 

Have a 2000 S and have had the trans replaced.

After joining this site, I started to get help from all on doing my own repairs. Asked foolish questions, repeated myself on many posts and failed to search before asking and I am sure considered on many occasions a real dummy. What I have been told about the trans and why it fails is it is self contained as far as the recommendation the fluid does not need a change for 100 thousand miles which was the big mistake and no real place to check the fluid with a dipstick.

It has hoses made of rubber and metal running to the radiator and back for cooling and as time goes on, these hoses tend to leak. Their is a heat shield under them in some cases that prevents this leaking to become evident by stopping it from showing itself on the ground or floor of your garage. It lays on the shield and then blows off as driving. As time goes on, it eventually becomes low and all of a sudden the code of death. You pull over and find out the trans is gone.

That said, I got help from a great many members on this site and even called a few, who were a great help. Did a lot of the repairs and I really think because I did them and followed a great many direction and advice and took extra care, they have held up. I am completely sold on using synthetic oil in this car and I am so sold on that oil I now use it in my grass mower. We can sit here and debate the pluses and minuses on every ones opinion about what oil is the best or what is right for the car and I have tried several others.

But for me and my car, synthetic is the way, I change it every 2 to 3 thousand miles now and it has 85,000 on it and runs great. I did follow the tip of adding tranny fluid to the oil for about 100 miles before I change it and I think that has helped a great deal. You also might want to check out one of the members here who has a site with some great pics and fixes of things that could go wrong, Gus.

For that amount of money you state with a new trans, I would say a great deal. Besides nothing against those newer owners here on the site but look at some of the newer S types compared to the year 2000 to 2002 as far as looks. The newer ones dare I say it and will take a lot of heat over it, look to me sometimes like a Ford Taurus.

Anyway, if you have issues, this is the site to get the answers, a lot of great people offering their time to help.

 

It's not much money for a nice car. But which engine, how many miles?

 

It's a 3 litre and has done 110,000 miles

 

Mike, your salesman is selling you a Jag. at £2G. How can he replace the gearbox and still make money? I'm talking economics here. IF he replaces the box, it just can't be a new one, it's either another second-hand one or the same box, "fixed". Or is it fixed?

When buying a secondhand car, never, never, fall in love with anything in front of you that's nice and shiny. If it doesn't make economic sense, WALK! If you buy a lemon, you'll soon fall out of love with it.

One question: How many secondhand Jags. are there on the market? 'Nuff said?

Leedsman.

 

Quick note: I asked about engine size in case it was the 4.0 and likely in need of 4.0 things (tensioners etc). The 3.0 is different and should be OK if maintained.

 

Have to agree with Leedsman on this a bit. Just to confirm though when you say L2000 you are talking pounds which is about 3100 dollars US. I paid 1200 dollars for a rebuilt trans with a warranty when replacing mine and a good friend put it in for 600 dollars. So for the dealer to put a trans in the car, its not cheap. I would try to confirm this actually is happening as far as the replacement. And be prepared to do a lot of extra work as far as coils and plugs and a lot of other stuff. See if they have any service records on the car and what has been done lately. Hearing 110,000 miles, you should have some concerns.

 

Just had another thought, it will cost you nothing:
Type the name of your car salesman's outfit into Google followed by "problems" or better "complaints". See what you get. I've done it with Evans-Halshaw.
Leedsman.

 

Leeds... Read sir... The OP stated that they were putting in a used trans. not a new one..

 

if the rest of the car is as good as you say then maybe - it would depend on whether you trust the work. i would certainly get the car checked out by someone that knows Jags before i paid for it because these cars can be a money pit if you buy without due diligence.

 

I have decided NOT to continue with the purchase.

As it was only £2,000 I retained another £1,000 in case of problems. We only do 4,000 miles per year so I thought it would be a good buy for a year or two. My wife and I are 69 years old, so wanted a luxury treat for a year or two.

I have my eye on a later, 2003 model, 2.5 litre.

I'll keep you very helpful guys posted. Thank you.