Error Messages!

colcol · June 06, 2013, 10:44:21 PM

If your thermostat is older than 10 minutes, then it needs replaceing, it will open ok and you will be running at about 90c, then it will close and the temperature will drop to 70c, i have had 3 in mine so far, make sure your cooling system is full, otherwise the temperature sender may not be getting a constant flow of coolant and causing the temperature gauge to fluctuate, also check you have no sludge or rust in the cooling system as it won't transfer heat properly through the radiator and the correct information to the temperature sender, Colin.

Quattroporte · June 06, 2013, 10:54:36 PM

Quote from: colcol on June 06, 2013, 10:44:21 PM
If your thermostat is older than 10 minutes, then it needs replaceing, it will open ok and you will be running at about 90c, then it will close and the temperature will drop to 70c, i have had 3 in mine so far, make sure your cooling system is full, otherwise the temperature sender may not be getting a constant flow of coolant and causing the temperature gauge to fluctuate, also check you have no sludge or rust in the cooling system as it won't transfer heat properly through the radiator and the correct information to the temperature sender, Colin.

Roughly how much does a new thermostat cost?

Davidm1600 · June 06, 2013, 10:59:49 PM

Thermostat perhaps. It's a common problem, easy fix but also important as it can a detriment impact on the Cat. If not thermostat perhaps dirty electrical contact to temp sensor or loose wire

??

Quattroporte · June 06, 2013, 11:01:15 PM

I would think it's something along those lines. I'll call the Alfa Specialist tomorrow and find out what they can do.

Davidm1600 · June 06, 2013, 11:05:57 PM

EB Spares (UK) price for 16v thermostat is 36 quid plus postage. Delivery normally 3-5 days. Not sure on local price, Col should know.

Quattroporte · June 07, 2013, 08:14:20 PM

Turns out in the 156 TI that when it hits 90 the fans turn on and start cooling the engine to keep it roughly at 70 degrees. Today, though, something a lot more serious happened. I was driving to work and then the lights started to flicker, before there was a decent jolt and the engine cut and electrics died with me receiving the "ABS System Failure" before completely shutting off. I started it up again fine, but then the gearbox wouldn't shift out of neutral. I noticed a little warning error which can only be described as a square with one of the sides angled in. I turned it off and let it settle before turning it on again. Then all was well again. I called the NRMA who came out and checked the battery and alternator which were working fine. My Alfa Romeo service provider told me it sounds like the battery is on its way out and the car is lacking power now.

After attending a meeting, I was driving back to work, and while standing at the lights, the car decided to do it again! The entire car just switched off. It didn't turn back on straight away, but when it did, it was fine.

What does everyone make of this? I'm having it diagnosed tomorrow by Alfa specialists.

colcol · June 07, 2013, 08:37:50 PM

Something is amiss with the Selespeed, get it diagnosed by an Alfa Specialist, as you are doing, Selespeeds have been around a while now and the Alfa Service Providers have their head around them, as they have fixed many, not a job for a Franchised Service Provider.
Have the Selespeed looked at before you tackle the battery issues, may just be a bad earth or connector, Colin.

Quattroporte · June 07, 2013, 08:59:45 PM

Will do. Why would there be something wrong with the selespeed? It wasn't changing gear because there's no electricity going to it, no?

colcol · June 07, 2013, 09:12:45 PM

You will have to get the Selespeed looked at first, it sounds like it has some sort of error that is causing the car to go into limp mode, if the battery was faulty you may have trouble kicking the motor over to start it, mind you the battery could be on the way out, error messages can be caused by low voltages, but the Alternators on 156's have high outputs, so when you are motoring along with a good output everything works, pull up at the lights and the volts drop and then you have problems, Colin.

Quattroporte · June 07, 2013, 10:34:05 PM

Limp mode? Is that an actual thing? The jolt only happened the first time. The second time it just stopped at the lights. It was like turning off a light switch.

colcol · June 08, 2013, 10:54:43 AM

If there is a fault with the Selespeed, it will shut down or go into limp home mode to stop any further damage, it may be a sensor or low fluid level, the Selespeed unit has to be serviced and calibrated every year, Colin.

Davidm1600 · June 08, 2013, 03:05:28 PM

In reading your thread I can't help but feel that perhaps it might seem like you have been experiencing a lot of headaches so early on in your ownership of your Alfa 156. I hope for your sake this will cease and you can thereafter get on and enjoy your 156, as meant to be. Hang in there.

Having owned Alfas for the past 30 years, I can truely say while sometimes you will experience problems, the overall the enjoyment far outweighs any such issues. A well sorted Alfa is a true delight. All the best with yours.

Quattroporte · June 09, 2013, 11:54:08 PM

Quote from: colcol on June 08, 2013, 10:54:43 AM
If there is a fault with the Selespeed, it will shut down or go into limp home mode to stop any further damage, it may be a sensor or low fluid level, the Selespeed unit has to be serviced and calibrated every year, Colin.

I'll mention that when I have it serviced. We reckon it's an earth wire issue? The cars been running absolutely fine since these issues initially arose. Nothing has occured since.

Any thoughts?

I'm going to have it serviced this week.

As for what you've said David, I'm of the same belief. I've always believed that Alfa's are second to none in the way that they make you feel. My Dad's looking to by my family's fourth Alfa in a Guiletta. Luckily, the issues with mine have been minor, but they have been occuring often, which is slightly fustrating.

colcol · June 10, 2013, 10:55:15 AM

Alfa 156's and 147's have known earth wire issues, some auto electricians and Alfa Service providers add an extra earth wire, a faulty battery can cause error messages, but if its faulty, it won't start the car in the first place, Colin.

Quattroporte · June 15, 2013, 07:35:43 PM

So I took it to the mechanic and it turns out that the gearbox had logged errors and some of the wires needed to be replugged. They took it for a drive and everything was perfect.

However, tonight, I was driving and noticed when I stopped at the lights the car was neutral. I then put it into first and kept driving and then it switched back into neutral and rolled. It then wouldn't change gear again! I turned it off and it would not turn on again. It eventually turned back on and eventually got back into first and all was well again.

I've got no idea what this issue is, but I can assume it's with the gearbox. The mechanic said that he couldn't fault the car when he was done with it.

Does anyone have any clue of what this could be?