4200 CC Gears lost N flashing-Help please

[007]

Hi everyone.


After some spirited driving my 02 4200 CC suddenly went into neutral from 3rd gear. The display started to flash "N" and the CC redlight (boot with dipstick) came on. I pulled over and stopped the engine and waited 5 mins.

I then started the car (enginewise no problems) but car still had the N flashing. I fettled with the paddles and got it into first gear (heard a thump from gearbox). It was flashing "1", so i pressed the left flappy paddle ( as if to disengage the reverse incline characteristici.e to stop it flashing) and drove home gingerly and all gears seem to work fine.

After a couple of days I checked the fluid on the CC reservoir and it seemed OK (I thought that it may have been a bit low).

Any ideas please. Car has a new battery a few months ago and has only 18K miles.

Thanks in advance

 

[conaero]

That sounds a bit different from the usual issues but it will come down to one of the following:

Failing clutch cover springs
Failing CC pump/relay
Failing Position sensor
Failing Actuator
Gearbox requires recalabration

With this one I would definately take it to the dealer/indie to get its codes read.

If you car has not had a clutch yet, 18k miles would be bang on for a replacement.

 

[007]

Hi. Thanks for the input. I have a generic code reader which I will hook it up to and see if I can read any codes. Can I drive it albeit more gingerly than usual? She drove fine on the way back home last time.

 

[conaero]

Well, if the clutch is stuffed, you probably aren't going to do anymore damage, but its your risk to do so.

I would take it straight to the dealer and find out what is failing then you can make an informed decision to drive it or not.

 

[007]

If the dealer is nice then I could ask them to use the SD2 to read code and at the same time ask o adjust the calibration a bit further couple of mm but then I suppose a danger of flywheel damage. In the meantime I can do more research into indie clutch change. I think a new clutch is around £600 plus fitting.

Anybody direct me to a clutch source or an indie in west midlands with SD2 machine or has anybody had any problems AFTER a clutch replacement please?

Also researching into PIS point calibration so any further help please from anyone?

Has anyone ever fitted a used clutch from breakers?Dont laugh but I am looking into all options giving the current economic climate.

cheers

 

[cobratwin]

fitting a used clutch is a sure fire way to ruin you flywheel dont do it man.

 

[007]

I understand. Thank you. New one is £643 from eurospares. I have an earlier car which may be single tang. Has been superceeded by a double tang clutch or do I have to fit the single tang?

 

[cobratwin]

if the single plate clutch for your car has been superseded by a double clutch one, you can use ether one.

 

[marios kriticos]

From past experience it sound like your clutch is gone , they are all twin clutch there is no 4200 with a single plate .
Do not fit a used clutch , get a new one .
Marios

 

[Parisien]

I understand. Thank you. New one is £643 from eurospares. I have an earlier car which may be single tang. Has been superceeded by a double tang clutch or do I have to fit the single tang?

I had been told this before..........but not correct. Though I was also told they up-graded/improved the clutch after 2005........but maybe that needs verified too

P

 

[Emtee]

Hi 007, unfortunately this doesn't sound like a worn clutch that just needs a bit of adjustment, it sounds either like the clutch position sensor or the clutch springs have gone. My guess would be the latter. Either way someone will need to get in there and check. You will get gears if the springs are collapsing, but some gears are easier for the car to get than others and you're stressing it all the time, so it ain't worth it, as you'll just cause more damage.

My advice would be to get it to an experienced indi'. You won't be ripped off. You'll get an real appraisal of the cause and an honest quotation for the repair, and a proper repair at that, which a used clutch isn't I'm afraid.

The bloke above with a strange liking of Topolino's isn't too far from you and is widely regarded and very experienced in such matters.

 

[007]

I appreciate the responses and ofcourse will take it on board. Usually a normal clutch comprises of clutch plate,pressure plate and thrust bearing but in our case what exactly is ina clutch kit and are ther any consumables? How much have people paid for labour or parts+labour for such a job? I have also the old jerky shift software which I like and want to keep. I find it aggresive response. Have always driven in sport mode.
will check back later on. Would have liked to be at ace cafe tomorrow but am preoccupied with this headache. I was planning to take the car out for a test drive on Friday- I have AA cover but worried about being stranded/doing more damage to car. Is driving on a worn clutch a gradual slippage thing or is it just totall loss of gears with our cars?

 

[QP4Me]

Hi,

Pre' my recent software update, clutch and flywheel change, the 6th gear indicator was flashing. It has stopped now. The parts listed were well due for replacement.

Don't mess around with possibly dodgy, secondhand parts, as my favorite Packard parts supplier says, 'Do it once and do it right!'.

Best wishes,

Pat.

 

[Parisien]

Absolute no-no........for 2nd hand mechanical parts...I learnt by hard experience....only exception if no longer made.....end of!


P

 

[007]

Took the car out today. Drove with caution and many prayers (Hey Frank do you say any hail marys when driving?).

Car drove Ok but am quite sure that needs a new clutch (£2K at dealers inc fitting but may be more if it needs a flywheel and or release bearing if it leaks).

What sort of prices do indies charge? Has anyone changed a clutch which requiered a flywheel and or release bearing change also?

One techie told me that since I was doing some spirited driving , the reason for it suddenly going into neutral was that the clutch may have overheated.

 

[Parisien]

Hail marys......?!....even though an Italian car........it doesn't respond well to threats of a religious nature.........

Clutch is around £600 ( check all prices on Eurospares to be sure)....fly wheel, £250, release bearing same....and of course get £20 spigot bearing changed too...a days labour or so at an indie......save quite a bit off MD price....but they should agree to price match


P

 

[Parisien]

There is an inspection aperture to visualize the plate/plates.........so maybe ask an indie to have a look first to inspect same......SD readout can vary quite a bit


P

POST NO - 26000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[007]

I drove the car for several years with 90% clutch worn when I had it inspected but recently been driving it hard. But I only clocked up a couple of thousand miles. techie told me that hehas encountered cars with 120% clutch worn on the sd2 readout. Confusing I know. The parts manager at dealer stated that all 4200 cc and manual have same single tang clutches. Its just that they had changed the part numbers in Italy. I think the double tang came with the gransports?

When clutch is off, how can we tell if flywheel needs to be replaced other than the obvious damaged teeth?

 

[BennyD]

Hot spots on the friction surface. When the friction surface gets too hot, blue hotspots form which is super hard tempered steel. It doesn't grip as well as normal steel and, also, the friction surface becomes uneven and doesn't grip as well as a flat one. It will probably look as spotty as a teenagers face so you might as well change it while it's off, there is no point in doing the job twice. Also, think about changing the spigot bearing in the flywheel, the release bearing and the rear bell-housing bearing. As I said, best to the job properly, once. Have fun!

 

[007]

Benny-I've already been kicked in the Balls by the dealer today