156 Auto & Selespeed Gearbox's Explained.

[John Hanslow]

Was looking for repairs & solutions for the selespeed and found this interesting read.

http://autoweb.com.au/cms/title_Unique-Performance-Automatic-Gearboxes-for-the-New-Alfa-Romeo-156/A_51082/newsarticle.html

back to repairs - Beninca Motors have a $550 fix for the selespeed if it 'kangaroo hops' .... instead of the $3k plus replacement.

Cheers.

[potenzagirl]

Hi John/and any other member who might help,

I've been having problems with my yr2000 156 Selespeed and have just been quoted $4000 to replace the actuator.

The car "bunny hops" at slow speed in low gear and some times when moving from rest simply won't engage or jerks forward then disengages etc...Here is how another owner described his/her experiences and quandaries and this is exactly whats happening to me - "Will it run right with the new Actuator? I would appreciate not only John's input, but anyone with advice, and people who had similar problems with the selespeed system. It's no joke when you come to Traffic lights, with a huge truck behind you, slowing down, the car does the kangaroo thing. You have to brake, then turn off the engine, wait for the display to go off, then start the engine again - while the truck is closing in on you! Or, going around a corner, and the car just stalls, with on-coming traffic heading your way!"

I've been reading on the web all afternoon and it seems other 156 Selespeed owners have had similar problems and more than a few people have suggested that replacing the actuator isn't necessarily the answer. A couple of people have suggested the answer is replacing the accumulator (which some say you can by as a separate part from FIAT) and then others talk about replacing the MAF sensors.

I noted John Hanslow's discussion about the $550 solution (and someone else quoted a similar style/price solution) and was wondering if you had more information on what this entails

Any help would be greatly appreciated as i don't want to waste $4000.

Cheers

[John Hanslow]

Beninca Motors in Canterbury where we held our Dyno day brought this previously to members attention.  As they ran cars sucessfully at Bathurst, have a machine shop & have turbo options for 156 and older cars, they are in 'the know'.

After a brief discussion with Alfa Specialists (refer sponsors link), the bunny hop/kangaroo hop problem can be solved with a $550 fix.  Its replacing some soloniod item.  That's all I know.  But dealers do charge more as I have been told that the selespeed needs to be replaced every 80,000 kms.  That's a big ask !!!   What do you do, fix a part or fix the package?  the pump and actuator do a lot of work so need replacing at some point in time.  I would just replace what needs to be replaced so you can enjoy your car.

$550 seems a good fix and I stronly recommend you contact one of our sponsors in on the sponsors page.

Maranello-Pursang in Brunswick is one I know of too. Benincas in canterbury are experts. Don't forget MOnza Motors and The Italian Job to name a few more.  Make a few calls and save some money.  In addition some have discount servicing etc for club members so join up and save.