147 GTA Selespeed problems

[zippytheclown]

ok, laugh now, get it out of the way, yes I bought a 147 GTA selespeed, more fool me eh?  But it's an awesome car to drive apart from one niggling issue.

While I'm driving, when I take off or slow down, sometimes on gear change it cuts out momentarily, sounds the alarm, and comes up with "Motor Control System Failure" on the dash.  It usually keeps running provided I'm moving.  Sometimes it cuts out when I'm pulling up to a stop, or reverse-first, first-reverse which means having to come to a complete stop, foot on the brake, key off then restart because you can't start the sele's unless they are completely stopped and your foot is hard on the brake, then into gear.  Most of the time if I'm at constant speed like on the highway it's fine but then it will just randomly blink off-on which trips off the cruise control if I'm using it.  Clutch doesn't slip, although it hops a bit when cold, but I just accept that because it's cold and I'm trying to back it up a slope to get out of my driveway, when it's warm it operates fine.  Seems to change alright on manual mode, although it holds on to gears longer than I'd like in "City" mode, don't know if thats normal or not so I don't use it, more fun flipping up and down the gears manually anyway. 

In a nutshell, the gearbox and clutch seem to be operating normally apart from the cutting out problem

It's getting very annoying.  So I took it to Alfamotive here in Brisbane and he eventually diagnosed an actuator fault.  I'd rather not pay $2000-3000 so if anybody out there can offer any advice on which particular component it might be, or anything else I can try first before shelling out, have at it!!

[VeeSix]

 

[zippytheclown]

It would appear (after talking to the mechanic) that the problem is most likely the clutch actuator electro-valve, i.e. the valve that operates the clutch on gear change.  It doesn't seem to be making it's full range of movement during operation, which suggests that the O-rings may be leaking, causing the clutch to not operate correctly, making the ECU spit tacks when it changes gear, even though it changes gears satisfactorily while driving.  Logically it makes sense, the sele is changing gears while the clutch (as far as the ecu is concerned) is not at full travel, and because the valve is losing pressure, that would explain the random cut-outs at constant revs like highway use.. Anyway, I'm prepared to blow $50 finding out but I wouldn't know where to look for these O-rings.  I have a couple of emails sent to UK, but they're still sleeping I guess, hopefully get an answer later tonight, but meanwhile, if anybody has any suggestions on where these O-rings can be sourced locally?

[pasey25]

As discussed on aus alfa, check your battery terminals first. You've provided a bit more information here so I'll add some more thoughts.

I've replaced my electrovalve, but the symptoms were difficulty engaging gear, never an engine cutout. I've never had the selespeed system cause a car shutdown.

The electrovalve may well be faulty, but this may be unrelated. Actually I understand the valve is actuated when engaging( I.e pushing the clutch pedal)  the clutch, not when the clutch is engaged in gear in highway driving so it doesn't gel that losing pressure while highway driving causes a system shutdown. If it was losing pressure it would mean that it wouldn't change gear once you slowed down

[Mick A]

Before anyone slags off the selespeed on the GTA, be aware that it is a completely different system to those on the 156's and 147's. It is much more advanced and reliable.

-mick

[Darryl]

Before anyone slags off the selespeed on the GTA, be aware that it is a completely different system to those on the 156's and 147's. It is much more advanced and reliable.

-mick

Yes, not laughing at all. Well done finding one! 

[zippytheclown]

Ok, after some time spent under the bonnet, and a diagnosis on a laptop by Bazz, it appears that the selespeed actuator is not the problem.  I'm starting to think it's going to be a sensor, or connection somewhere that is loose or dirty, or maybe even a broken wire or something, good luck finding that eh?

[pasey25]

based on my experience with a 147 GTA selespeed, it sounds like a power connection somewhere