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Hi all 2000 xj8 wife's car when putting shift into drive sometimes D will not light up and there is a loud clicking noise whenever you touch the brake pedal. If I move shift lever to sport mode then back to drive everything is ok is this something I can do myself or do I need to take it to transmission shop. As I said no problems when driving car shifts the way it should thanks in advance jrb53
Sounds like a micro-switch in the J-gate or a cable issue. Here's a pdf to review... http://www.jagrepair.com/images/Auto...G%20S_Type.pdf ...go to pdf page 50 (45 of the document).
Also, check the TSB section, just prompt the link in my sig.
Also shown are the other electrical components on or near the J-gate, including the Gear Selector Illumination Module and the Gearshift Interlock Solenoid.
You don't mention whether the clicking sound emanates from around the brake switch or the J-gate - can you clarify?
Sounds like an issue with the not-in-park microswitch like others have said. If that is stuck shut then the computer thinks the shifter is still in park and will probably lock-out the switch to drive, regardless if the transmission is shifted into it (preventing the D light from coming on). The click you hear is the park interlock solenoid (when you first start the car, you have to hold the brake to shift out of P). If you are shifted out of P that solenoid doesn't trigger with the brake pedal so you don't get the click while driving, but if the not-in-park microswitch is stuck, it thinks the shifter is still in P, so it is opening that solenoid with each brake press.
Thank you for your replies the clicking sound come from J gate area, will take out center console and check cable and change micro switch. do you have a part# for micro switch by the way thank you jrb53
I believe part 4 on the diagram is the Not-in-Park switch. See the full part listing with part numbers at the link above.
You can check to be sure the switch is securely mounted and the gear shift lever properly contacts the lever arm on the switch and pushes it far enough to close the switch. With an ohmmeter or continuity tester you can test the switch to confirm it is normally open and closes when the lever arm is pressed.
Glad you said what you said there Don. I do recall now a few years ago when I put my stereo in and was running wire up through that area, I must had snagged that connector on #4. Because mine wouldn't start afterward. I took the shift bezel area apart checking each piece (and attempting to start her) as I went and when I pressed that one together, she started. Not saying that's jrb53's issue, but you don't know until you check.
Special thanks to Highhorse, Don B and nilanium for their invaluable input. Removed center console to get access to J gate then changed micro switch #4 in diagram J gate switch part #LJA6195AC. Undo four screws and remove top plate unhook electrical connectors. I was lucky I had a spare one from an old J gate I had changed on my other car. Now slips into drive no more problems thanks again jrb53
Last edited by Don B; 02-04-2018 at 12:30 PM.
Reason: Move to original thread, correct spelling & capitaliztion