Gearbox issues

[Gary687]

Hi guys

Just after a bit of advice if I can please!

Yesterday my car stuck in 4th gear and the red gearbox light flashed intermittently. I limped her home and just got here when she finally stalled and now I can't get her to start.

I checked the green 30amp fuse in the back by the battery and that had burnt out so my suspicion (based on previous posts) is that the relay had stuck open, burnt out the pump which then blew the fuse - would that seem reasonable? I always assumed a fuse was a pre-cursor to avoid burning things out though so the fuse should blow first thus protecting the pump?

Anyway, I changed the relay and the fuse and still no good - ignition on and she won't turn over or anything. Dashboard illuminates as it should and the red gearbox light still flashes although the gear indicator shows 'N'.

Are we thinking new pump? If so, does the Alfa one listed on previous posts still work fine or are there any other alternatives and does anyone have a suggestion where to get it from please?

Also, one weird thing which I presume is connected but don't understand why. Normally when I unlock the doors with the remote blipper, I hear a whirring from a pump - I always presumed a fuel pump - and then when I opened the driver's door I hear the whirring of the gearbox pump priming. Now neither of these prime. I get why the gearbox one wouldn't if it was busted but why not the first one? Could it be something simpler that is causing all these dramas like a fuse elsewhere?

Thanks in advance!

Cheers

Gary

 

[mjheathcote]

The F1 pump primes when unlocking (not the fuel pump) and also again when opening the drivers door. If it doesn't anymore it sounds like the pump has failed.
The gearbox warning light because no pump pressure, and the reason why it couldn't change down gear.
The fuse protects the wiring, so the pump needs to fail first, that increases the load, that blows the fuse.
Does the relay look burnt out? Take it apart. If so, this looks like the cause of the pump failure, overheating and then the failure.
On a positive note, it appears like a new F1 pump is needed. Not the end of the world financially.
Yes the Alfa pump is the same, shop around. There was options of just replacing the motor, saving more money, the pump head does not appear to wear. Check ebay US.

 

[Gary687]

The F1 pump primes when unlocking, and also when opening the drivers door. If it doesn't anymore it sounds like the pump has failed.
The gearbox warning light because no pump pressure, and the reason why it couldn't change down gear.
The fuse protects the wiring, so the pump needs to fail first, that increases the load, that blows the fuse.
Does the relay look burnt out? Take it apart. If so, this looks like the cause of the pump failure, overheating and then the failure.
On a positive note, it appears like a new F1 pump is needed. Not the end of the world financially.
Yes the Alfa pump is the same, shop around. There was options of just replacing the motor, saving more money, the pump head does not appear to wear. Check ebay US.

Hi Mike and thanks for the swift reply!!

That all makes sense so thanks a bunch. Now I need that new pump or pump motor clearly!

Cheers

Gary

 

[mjheathcote]

There are a few new complete units on ebay for just over £200 at the moment! Can't go wrong at those prices!

 

[CatmanV2]

Check that the pump is getting voltage, first, though.

Can you hear it priming at all?
C

 

[Gary687]

There are a few new complete units on ebay for just over £200 at the moment! Can't go wrong at those prices!

Hi Mike

Bearing in mind you're dealing with a total numpty here who has no idea what he might need any chance you could post an ebay link pretty please.

 

[CatmanV2]

http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/parts/156_Selespeed_pump.shtml

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...espeed+pump.TRS0&_nkw=selespeed+pump&_sacat=0

Help?

C

 

[Gary687]

Catman

Nope no primng at all via the remote when unlocking or when opening the door either. Is it easy to check voltage to it?

I had a new air con compressor fitted last week - that shouldn't have interfered at all should it? It drove fine for a few days afterwards until yesterday's dramas!

G

 

[Gary687]

Brilliant thanks Catman!

 

[CatmanV2]

Aircon shouldn't be an issue at all.

If you're not comfortable, I'd get it to a tech who can check for you. I'd just do that *before* you spring £200 notes on a pump

It rather sounds like this is your problem, but I'd always check first.

C

 

[mjheathcote]

http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/parts/156_Selespeed_pump.shtml

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_f...espeed+pump.TRS0&_nkw=selespeed+pump&_sacat=0

Help?

C

Is it me, but all of a sudden they appear to be much cheaper than a few years ago? They are at a price where it is affordable to have one in the boot if doing a continental Road trip.
You know following this thread, fancy running a light into the cabin from the relay to see how often the pump runs when driving. It would then be not too difficult to mount say a green/red changing led light.
Green when running, red when running after say x seconds, to indicate it has been running longer than normally necessary. I'm a bit geeky for such things!

 

[voicey]

Where are you? Ideally you want the car hooked up to a diagnostic machine.

 

[CatmanV2]

Is it me, but all of a sudden they appear to be much cheaper than a few years ago? They are at a price where it is affordable to have one in the boot if doing a continental Road trip.
You know following this thread, fancy running a light into the cabin from the relay to see how often the pump runs when driving. It would then be not too difficult to mount say a green/red changing led light.
Green when running, red when running after say x seconds, to indicate it has been running longer than normally necessary. I'm a bit geeky for such things!

They do seem cheap. I did look at creating a SS version with an alarm for overrun a while back, but then someone stole my tuits.

C

 

[karatemaserati]

predators guide on the pump change is A* i followed it when i changed my pump

 

[mjheathcote]

They do seem cheap. I did look at creating a SS version with an alarm for overrun a while back, but then someone stole my tuits.

C

This would do the job:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1Sec-999M...949619?hash=item2a57d120b3:g:cToAAOSwEetV7pDJ

Simple delay timer before illuminating a warning light. "F1 pump running too long"

 

[voicey]

It's the relay that is the problem. It wouldn't be difficult to build a warning that activated if it sensed that the pump was powered at the same time as the signal from the TCU was idle - ie: if the relay was burnt closed.

 

[mjheathcote]

It's the relay that is the problem. It wouldn't be difficult to build a warning that activated if it sensed that the pump was powered at the same time as the signal from the TCU was idle - ie: if the relay was burnt closed.

I think it would be a good idea, warning of some sort.

 

[CatmanV2]

Either sounds like a good idea.

The benefit of monitoring the relay is it *should* be able to tell if the leakdown is getting too much. Of course there may be such a variation in how long the pump should run depending on driving style / conditions that Voicey's suggestion is the only way. Certainly sounds simpler

C

 

[mjheathcote]

Yes agreed it is the perfect way monitoring the relay as opposed to the pump, but don't know how easy it would be to make such a monitoring circuit as opposed to just buying one off ebay for less than a tenner!

So we need, terminal A is live (pump supply), terminal B is not (TCU trigger), so make terminal C live (warning light)

 

[Rh212365]

Hello All,

I acquired my first Maserati, a 2004 Coupe Cambiocorsa, about ten weeks ago. Last night while driving home, the transmission kicked into neutral and wouldn't go back into gear. After stopping, and restarting the engine it went into gear and did the same thing again 2 or 3 miles down the road. This happened about 5 times but the last time it wouldn't go back into gear. I had to have it towed home. The F1 pump seems to be working and it's not throwing any codes but it won't go into any gear. I've noticed that when I start it up, there seems to be something electrical that kicks on and off several times that put a large draw on the battery because the lights dim noticeably when it happens. It also does this when I try to put it in gear. I checked the F1 fuse and relay and both are good. I can actually hear the pump run. I haven't tried a battery disconnect because I'm trying to get it to pass smog and I have all codes clear but I am waiting on the secondary air readiness indicator and if I disconnect the battery I will have to start all over. Taking it to a dealer is not an option as the nearest dealer is over 300 miles away. Any suggestions?