Selespeed pump playing up?

[ccaltabiano86]

Hi guys,
I had my selespeed pump replaced after havign soem issues with my gearbox, now, dont know why, but pump shuts off sometimes.
Is it meant to run constantly? it aint causing too many issues, but today I noticed the box light come up, then after a few seconds the pump kicked off again and it selected gear again.

what controls the pump? old presure?
how do you configure when the pump should be on or off?
could it be not enough box oil?

any help will be great before I go back and get it looked at by mechanic.

[John Hanslow]

Regarding a mechanic, make sure you take the car to an Alfa Specialist who understands the selespeed system and has the diagnostic equipment to give you the correct answers.

As new and reconditioned items now available, the overall costs is much less than previously.

If you live in Vic, refer to our sponsors link on the web page.

Cheers

[ANG156]

You can test the pump everytime you open the door since it self primes. However, if it loosing pressure while driving only a diagnostic machine will be able to tell you that. The box light is probably an indication that there is a drop in pressure which causes it to not select gear however it can also be that the selespeed actuator fluid is low. Don't overfill this as the system will spit out what it doesn't need. I found that by not letting the system prime before checking it to be the best way check the fluid level. I've checked it using the method described on the other forums and selespeed websites by turning the key to the MAR position but everytime i've topped it up to the correct level i always find a puddle of fluid on the floor.

The amount of gearbox oil in a selespeed gearbox is only 1.7 litres and is just regulat 75w/90 gearbox oil. I've got castrol syntrax in mine at the moment.

I believe your problem relates to the system either actuator, pump or accumulator not gearbox related.

[wankski]

the pump engages when pressure is low, it has a pressure vessel called the accumulator which maintains circa 40psi... if the accumulator leaks, the pump will run more - eventually to premature failure..

so to answer your question, no. the pump runs when needed. The usual failures are pump relay, accumulator and pump itself.

the gearbox as indicated uses the usual gl4 lube, BUT the sele system uses a type of ATF for the hydro circuit (600ml) - alfa specifies selenia tutela CS... really a dextron III ought work, but some people claim anything other than CS is not suitable. YMMV.


HTHs 

[ccaltabiano86]

1st of all, Im in sydney, and have been told of a few Alfa specialist still around here and will be bringing my car there soon as I get a day off work.

Ok. I have checked the pump, it was replaced last month, and it looks brand new (so not a refurb) I have checked the sele oil level and it does look low maybe, but this was replaced same time as pump (and had a full system flush) have checked for leaks but none I can see, and everything looks dry.

pump does turn on when you open driver door.

I just drove the car home today and it was perfect... odd... but I didnt make too many gear changes. once I got home I went from 1-2-N-R and so on a few times fast till it faulted. It then flashed gearbox light for about 10 seconds and started working again. made 2 changes and it faulted again, and flashed for about 10 seconds, this time I waited another 10-15 seconds and it was fine. but stopped playing with it incase I brake it. 

So it may be oil pressure indeed?
Where is the accumulator located?
where is the pump relay?

and finally a silly question, is it advisable to place constant power to the pump in an emergency situation just so I can get the car driving again?

Thanks guys,
Christian.

[ccaltabiano86]

thought I would give everyone an update on what was causing the issues...
The selespeed was leaking fluid into the gearbox! hard to diagnose as you cant see any leaks and only way to know this is the issue is to check gearbox fluid level, and in my case it was high, and had blended with the hydraulic oil. Had to replace the actuator and flush gearbox replace all fluids.
Car is finally working good again. Minor damage was caused to 3rd gear syncro, and a little bit of crunching can be heard when changing into 3rd gear.

Thought I would mention this as I have read a few post saying they have had to top up the selespeed hydraulic fluid, but after speaking to a specialist, this fluid should never burn or disappear unless its leaking, and if no leaks can be seen its leaking into your gearbox and causing more damage.