Car is stuck in Reverse

Found this

http://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/xj-xj6-xj8-xjr-x350-x358-28/shift-lever-stuck-park-85682/

I am having the same problem with my 2004 XJ8. The shifter is in the park position but the reverse light is on. The car thinks it is reverse despite the shifter postion at park. I am unable to get it out of park position or start the engine.

This should not be a major problem but get it checked out by a dealer soonest.

your gbox cable has proberly snapped or bolt came out (it happened with mine) altho i was lucky

there is a solenoid on the shifter that is activated when you hit the brake pedal. This can be a bd solenoid or a faulty curcuit between the two. see if you hear a clicking noise when you hit the brake and try to shift?

Most likely the lock out switch at the brake pedal is at fault, because in order to put it in in to any gear you have to step on the brake first ! Their is a switch located which prevents you put it in gear with out stepping on the brake pedal, so check this switch first.

ALWAYS engage the Parking Brake BEFORE putting car into "Park". When you want to get out of "Park", put your foot on the brake pedal, move gear shifter into desired gear, THEN take down Parking Brake. If you get stuck (gear shifter doesn't move), then try the "rocking" method (recruit 1 or 2 folks to push your car from behind while you try to move gear shifter into desired gear). Good luck!

you will need to adjust the auto shifter so the switch picks up that the car is in park and that will fix your problem

the shifter cable is on the lift side of the transmission, make sure it is bolted to the trnsmission

HAVE SOMEONE GO BEHIND THE CAR AND CHECK AND MAKE SURE THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE ON, IF THEY DON'T WORK THEN THERE IS NO POWER TO THE BRAKE PARK INTER-LOCK SOLENOID AND YOU CAN NOT DIS-ENGAGE PARK. IF THEY DON'T WORK CHECK THE FUSE, IF IT IS OK REPLACE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.