Advice on V8V sportshift issue
Discussion
Looking for a bit of impartial advice on an issue I've got with my 2008 (57) V8V sportshift roadster.
Any help appreciated.
Aug10 - whilst driving, gearbox stuck in 3rd gear before changing to neutral as i cam to a stop. Upon restarting appeared to work before similar happened again.
Car recovered to Aston Martin who "reset some error codes" before concluding that there was nothing wrong.
Similar things happened occaisionally over the past 6 months but allways corrected themselves.
Jan10 3Y service. No issues reported, car said to be in "great shape". No problems with clutch. Warranty extended for 1Y
Feb11 - whilst driving, gearbox stuck in gear before changing to neutral as i came to a stop. Restarting and doing the clutch learn didn't do anything. Car recovered to Aston Martin
Over the past 6 weeks, I've had weekly emails from the Aston Martin service centre basically admitting they didn't know what the problem was and that everytime they thought they'd sorted it (eg replacing the gearbox module), the issue came back.
"Connected vehicle to AMDS, found various fault codes present relating to transmission control unit. Carried out voltage and resistance checks to TCM, all okay. Checked voltage and resistance to shift solenoids, all okay. Checked that latest software installed in TCM. Contacted technical services and they authorized replacement of transmission control module. After numerous test fault has reoccurred and faults still present. Contacted technical services again and carrying out tests and checks as required on a daily basis."
A week ago, they came back saying that Aston Martin HQ engineers had recommended replacing the clutch, slave cylinder and flywheel. This was to be paid for by the warranty company.
As you might expect, the warranty company have refused to pay for it stating that the clutch is a wear and tear item and not covered.
I have been asked to pay for a new clutch (at cost price) in the hope that it solves the problem.
My issue is that I dont think the clutch is the issue. The symptoms started in Aug10 and the clutch should have gone by now if it was worn out. If I agree to pay for a clutch, what happens if it doesn't solve the issue? If it was a couple of hundred quid i wouldn't mind but sportshift clutches aren't cheap!
Has anyone had a similar problem?
JB
Any help appreciated.
Aug10 - whilst driving, gearbox stuck in 3rd gear before changing to neutral as i cam to a stop. Upon restarting appeared to work before similar happened again.
Car recovered to Aston Martin who "reset some error codes" before concluding that there was nothing wrong.
Similar things happened occaisionally over the past 6 months but allways corrected themselves.
Jan10 3Y service. No issues reported, car said to be in "great shape". No problems with clutch. Warranty extended for 1Y
Feb11 - whilst driving, gearbox stuck in gear before changing to neutral as i came to a stop. Restarting and doing the clutch learn didn't do anything. Car recovered to Aston Martin
Over the past 6 weeks, I've had weekly emails from the Aston Martin service centre basically admitting they didn't know what the problem was and that everytime they thought they'd sorted it (eg replacing the gearbox module), the issue came back.
"Connected vehicle to AMDS, found various fault codes present relating to transmission control unit. Carried out voltage and resistance checks to TCM, all okay. Checked voltage and resistance to shift solenoids, all okay. Checked that latest software installed in TCM. Contacted technical services and they authorized replacement of transmission control module. After numerous test fault has reoccurred and faults still present. Contacted technical services again and carrying out tests and checks as required on a daily basis."
A week ago, they came back saying that Aston Martin HQ engineers had recommended replacing the clutch, slave cylinder and flywheel. This was to be paid for by the warranty company.
As you might expect, the warranty company have refused to pay for it stating that the clutch is a wear and tear item and not covered.
I have been asked to pay for a new clutch (at cost price) in the hope that it solves the problem.
My issue is that I dont think the clutch is the issue. The symptoms started in Aug10 and the clutch should have gone by now if it was worn out. If I agree to pay for a clutch, what happens if it doesn't solve the issue? If it was a couple of hundred quid i wouldn't mind but sportshift clutches aren't cheap!
Has anyone had a similar problem?
JB
Siy said:
No - but sounds unfair that you pay.. The car has gone back to AM a few times, and given back to you, but still not repaired. This sounds like you should get new clutch etc as goodwill....doesn't it?
I'm not going to lie to you, I was quite pleased when they said they were going to replace the clutch et al for free - if it's not due one now, it will at some point. Nevertheless, I don't think the clutch is the issue now, and if it is, it seems to be a faulty clutch as opposed to a worn one. Maybe my fight is with the warranty company.oldboyswithtoys said:
i worked on a car with the same issue about a year ago turned out the earth lead on the gearbox was loose and not always making contact . this is why the car works ok most of the time. id be surprised if a new cluth will fix this problem
Many thanks... if it turns out to be this I owe you a drink!! 
Update!
Warranty company refused to pay for the clutch. I paid to have this replaced which appeared to have solved the problem. I was reluctant to pay since it didn't seem like a worn clutch but I wanted the car back and it seemed as though we'd reached a dead end.
That was about three weeks and 500 miles ago.
Last week the car died again. Upon starting the intrument panel showed a series of error messages - cannot show gear selection, brake system failure, tyre system fault, before the right hand side of the display powered down as did the speedo/fuel/revs. Windows and roof were dead. The car seemed mechanically fine.
Recovered to aston martin who, after a week, have ordered a "convertible roof module" to be replaced under the extended warranty.
Seems a common problem?
http://www.amoc.org/forum/index.php?action=printpa...
My question is this: have i just been unluckly to have had two problems within a short space of time or is it possible that the roof module was causing issues with the clutch? It seems unlikely but it appears that the electronics are all linked and the clutch didn't seem as though it was worn. An electrical problem causing it not to engage would better suit the symptoms! That said, I had 500 miles of enjoyable drving in between the two issues.
Any help appreciated.
Warranty company refused to pay for the clutch. I paid to have this replaced which appeared to have solved the problem. I was reluctant to pay since it didn't seem like a worn clutch but I wanted the car back and it seemed as though we'd reached a dead end.
That was about three weeks and 500 miles ago.
Last week the car died again. Upon starting the intrument panel showed a series of error messages - cannot show gear selection, brake system failure, tyre system fault, before the right hand side of the display powered down as did the speedo/fuel/revs. Windows and roof were dead. The car seemed mechanically fine.
Recovered to aston martin who, after a week, have ordered a "convertible roof module" to be replaced under the extended warranty.
Seems a common problem?
http://www.amoc.org/forum/index.php?action=printpa...
My question is this: have i just been unluckly to have had two problems within a short space of time or is it possible that the roof module was causing issues with the clutch? It seems unlikely but it appears that the electronics are all linked and the clutch didn't seem as though it was worn. An electrical problem causing it not to engage would better suit the symptoms! That said, I had 500 miles of enjoyable drving in between the two issues.
Any help appreciated.
It is possible for modules on the comms bus to have issues when some thing drags the common power suppy down.
I had some thing similar on my last car.
The primary O2 sensor failed internally dragging the 5V line down.
This caused error messages from the ABS, airbags and misfire codes!
Awkward to diagnose though
I had some thing similar on my last car.
The primary O2 sensor failed internally dragging the 5V line down.
This caused error messages from the ABS, airbags and misfire codes!
Awkward to diagnose though
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