2002 Alfa 156TS - Selepseed Issue

[addem]

Hi all,

Was just reading a http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php/topic,2570.0.html and had a couple of questions as my Selespeed has started playing up.

One of the comments in there mentions a 156 for sale that has a similar sounding problem to me but I will explain a bit more below.

So last week I was taking my partner to work and after leaving home, about 200m down the road, I lost all gears. The trans light was flashing and if I tried to select a gear it would immediately go into neutral and could not drive. I heading home and noticed some oil/fluid on the ground near the front left tyre and checked the fluid. It somehow emptied itself and couldn't find the source of the leak but it appeared as if it somehow came out of the breather tube (there was fluid around the filler cap).

I walked down to the local auto parts store and got some Penrite LDAS fluid (as recommended on here and various forums) and topped it up.

Car was functioning as it was... Or so I thought.

That whirring sound that comes from the pump when opening the drivers side door has now changed. It used to take a good 20 seconds (maybe more/maybe less... felt like forever at times) but now it only happens for a split second. If the car's ignition is switched on but not started the pump sounds like it is pumping fluid through intermittently every few seconds for a split second.

Now when driving the car is usually fine for most short trips but it seems like once the temp (whether oil or water I'm unsure) is up the gearbox will kick into neutral when coming to a stop which makes start stop traffic very annoying. On top of this it will sometimes randomly kick out of gear while driving but a light tap on the break and an upshift will put it back into the same gear it was previously and driving resumes.

I've been wanting to purchase a cable so I can connect my laptop up to check on a few things but will I get the full picture from it or not? Does anyone know what the problem is?

From the thread I posted above it sounds like it could be a couple of small things or a really large issue. Being new to Alfa's I'm unsure of where to start and any help would be appreciate.

I really like the car... It's been a good car to drive up until now and I don't want to get rid of it as I have to say I'm sort of addicted to it haha.

Adam

[Mick A]

Gday,

I can pretty much guarantee you it needs a new Accumulator. This holds the pressure in the system so the Actuator can perform it's functions. Normally the pump primes the Accumulator and it holds the pressure for a good two or three gear changes, then the pump primes the system again.

When the Accumulator shits itself as yours has, it doesn't hold pressure in the system, and the pump operates more frequently. It has probably been getting worse and worse for a while but sometimes it is easy to not notice the pump running every gear change. Now it's completely shit itself and lots all pressure, which has sent all the fluid back into the reservoir, and since it's probably been topped up before it's now overflowed.

It is a fairly cheap fix labour wise at any Alfa specialist workshop, but the part itself will probably set you back somewhere between $400/600.

Cheers
Mick.

[Mick A]

Also, if you do happen to buy the diagnostics software, monitor the system pressure, it should read around 55bar. If the accumulator is buggered it will drop the pressure very quickly. If it is fine then it should hold pressure fairly consistently.

I reckon I've diagnosed your problem anyway, so maybe no need to spend money on that, save it for the Accumulator instead!

-Mick

[Mick A]

You may also find cheaper ones than what I've estimated on ebay

[bazzbazz]

Mick is correct in his diagnosis, you can get the accumulator on ebay for $200

Baz

[addem]

Thanks guys... I thought I got email notifications when someone replied hence not replying sooner myself.

I'm getting the car checked out on Thursday but have been checking more and more about the problem and agree with your comments.

Will keep you guys posted.

Adam

[addem]

My dad is a mechanic and I'm fairly handy with cars as well but do I need to do anything more once the part is changed out? I.e. Run the diagnostic software and calibrate it? Or does the ecu learn this after the change?

[Mick A]

No software or calibration needed for this job in this particular case.

[addem]

Sorry for the late update guys... Been a hectic time. Couple of family members have passed away and my daughter has been sick and teething like all hell!!!

So I changed the accumulator and things were great... Then a couple of mornings later I noticed that the pump wasn't priming when opening the door and had massive trouble getting it started.

Connected the laptop and no faults found! Ran the test for the pump and it didn't work. Freaked out thinking it was the pump but thought it couldn't be since it was fine before hand. Turns out it was the pump relay. Swapped it with Fan 2 (need a replacement for this now) and it has been running a dream.

Adjusted the clutch rod (which was really simple) and it's now at 28.3mm roughly. Haven't noticed any difference from when it was at 31.5mm though.

Been reading a lot about the thermostat stuck open as I am getting poor fuel economy (well I think it's poor) but then I have read other peoples economy and seems normal. Left wondering if it is indeed stuck open and needs a replacement? It takes a bit to warm up but nothing over 5-10 minutes usually but it doesn't stick within 80-90c like I have been reading. Will hit 95-98c then the fan kicks in when stuck in traffic but if I get a straight run it drops below 70c and even less on open highways.

Is this a sign of it needing to be replaced?

Cheers for all your help guys!!!

Adam

[jimay3677]

When my thermo failed it never got above 50. It nows does what yours is doing.