166 Mistake

[Frank Musco]

The latest addition to the family is a 2001 166 3.0 ltr sportronic.  The only problem is that its not very sportronic because it is in limp mode.

I have removed the transmission computer and found that the heater core has been leaking into the computer and it has burnt out.

Can anyone help me find a second hand replacement?

Why does this computer fail at such an early age and kilometers?

I can see a transistor or voltage regulator (55Amp) which has failed on the circuit board (assume this is the power supply for the rest of the board). I would like to repair this myself but I cannot get my hands on the wiring diagram for this computer. When I rang "Alfa Romeo" as well as other computer repairers they both freaked out.
Can anyone help me with a wiring diagram??

Thanks

Frank Musco

[Frank Musco]

Hello, Where are all the Alfa people sitting on a second hand tranny computer.

I have spent a MONTH trying to find someone to help me with this problem I got myself into. The only thing I can get is a new computer for $2800 +gst. But for those of you who know me, You'd know that I am looking for a cheaper way of getting out of this such as a manual gearbox from a 164, or ??

Help save another Alfa from wrecking.

[Ray Pignataro]

Frank I think petroject can check/reco your exhisting computer. I will double check tomorrow but there will be a cheaper way then $2800.

[Frank Musco]

Thanks Ray

The computer has been returned from Petrojet. They cannot repair it. Apparently they cannot obtain the wiring diagram for this particular computer???  If they had the diagram, cost would have been from $180. Another reason why I was asking about the wiring diagram.

Frank

[John Hanslow]

I have heard of the 'heater core' leak.  This appears to be a 166 issue that you can count on - just like similar leak with the Ford XR6 issue with heater about 10 years ago. 

Yep, it leaks all over the electronics and can damage the centre consol control unit, screen etc.

Maranello Pur-Sang Motors (refer sponsors page) have the a fix for this.    Besides replacing damaged electronics, they have a cover & drain to stop this occuring again.

Give them a call and you can also check out what to do with the tranny computer.  You have made a few enquiries already so let us know how you go.

Cheers.

[derek1.08]

you say a transistor or a voltage regulator.  mmmm without seeing, not enough informtion as you say you need a diagram. 55amp says to me neither but to protect circuit but if i was wrong and it was a voltage regulator then bridging it out would blow something else if the chip is not already kaput. tricky!!! A genuine electronics technician $180 fair enough. Otherwise circuit diagram probably found in genuine workshop manual at a cost of around $2800???o
sorry cant help

[Frank Musco]

Thanks

John, very interesting, I havent checked the center console unit yet. The heater isnt currently leaking, though must have been recently repaired, and the auto comp is internally corroded and all of the terminals in the long plug are corroded and covered with green glycol from previous leak.

Should I wrap the new computer in a plastic bag? Bad for heat?

Derek, I have limited electronics knowledge, but can change components which are obviously burned out(carefully), then cross my fingers after a few checks.
My auto comp has a particular component burned out which I feel like trying to change, although I was hopeing that someone like petrojet could give it a go before I try. I feel confident that I could find a replacement as its nothing like the main chip, so if I give it a go I'll let you know how I go.

Cheers

Frank.

[Ray Pignataro]

Frank hope your old enough to remrmber this. you need McIvor, he would have fixed the computer with some chewing gum and binding twine.

[Colin Byrne]

you mean "MacGyver"

that man is an inspiration

[Ray Pignataro]

You know as I typed it I kew the spelling was not right. but my brain was not working.

[Frank Musco]

Well then, has anybody got any chewing gum?

[Sheldon McIntosh]

I'm surprised Frank.  We've all seen your 'polishaturd' ability, I thought by now you would have rigged up another gearbox out of a few twigs and the spare bird beak you had lying around out back.

[Ray Pignataro]

Frank ,Alfa would not have made the gear box it will be a borg warner or something why not try a computer out of some thing similiar.

[Colin Byrne]

Frank ,Alfa would not have made the gear box it will be a borg warner or something why not try a computer out of some thing similiar.

Not sure that would work, if its out of a different car it's bound to have a different calibration in it and any information sent or received by the unit on the vehicle CAN bus will probably not be compatible

[derek1.08]

Frank - any chance of a close up picture of the circuit board?