Duo Select transmission issue

[ChrisNico]

Hi guys & girls,

As some of you know, I had transmission failure about 3 months ago which I traced to a faulty F1 pump relay. I recently fitted the Scuding Swiss solid state replacement for the relay. I’m glad I did, for various reasons, including the built-in diagnostics.

While driving today, the dashboard flashed up “Transmission failure” and I was temporarily stuck in first gear. Pressing the Auto/Manual button and getting into auto mode thankfully got me going again, and I made it home.

On inspecting the relay, it revealed that fault code 2 had occurred. The photo explains the meaning. Which component do you think is responsible for this issue?

Many thanks in advance.

~Chris

 

[conaero]

I would say the relay has already fried the pump and it’s spinning slower than it should.

Either that or you don’t have sufficient fluid or a leak.

I would try a standard relay first though. I have a spare you can borrow if your at Ace cafe next Thursday.

 

[ChrisNico]

Thank you for your speedy reply,

It happened with the standard relay too, so I can confirm it’s not that. I’m prepared to replace the pump and fluid as a first ‘attempt’ before heading to a specialist. I guess you’re implying that’s what I should do, right?

~C

 

[conaero]

Yes. You need SD to run the pump and bleed the CC fluid system but you can jump the the relay socket to do this. Just look online how to do this. You basically remove the relay and bridge the correct two pins and open the bleed nipple.

 

[ChrisNico]

SD? Is that the Maserati diagnostic tool? Thank again for the advice. I’ll do a search.

~Chris

 

[CatmanV2]

I think Matt has the right of it

C

 

[Ozmurc]

it could also be a faulty accumulator- meaning the pump needs to spin more often to maintain pressure; really its only the pump and the accumulator that cause these issues the most.

 

[ChrisNico]

Thank you. Is there an easy way to know which is the culprit - Pump or accumulator?

 

[Ozmurc]

Thank you. Is there an easy way to know which is the culprit - Pump or accumulator?

have a read of this, particularly signs of accumulator failure:

http://craig-waterman.com/?p=584

if the pump works (it appears to) and the relay is not the issue (i.e you have the solid state one) then my bet is the accumulator.

If the pump is burnt out, then you'd need to ask why, and its usually a failed accumulator (if not a melted relay).

 

[ChrisNico]

Thank you very much for that information. I’ll do some studying

~Chris

 

[ChrisNico]

Seems that it’s more likely to be the accumulator as you say. Are these available at sensible prices? Is Eurospares my best bet or are there any specialists who recondition them?

Thank you again,

~Chris

 

[Ozmurc]

Seems that it’s more likely to be the accumulator as you say. Are these available at sensible prices? Is Eurospares my best bet or are there any specialists who recondition them?

Thank you again,

~Chris

haven't looked into reco yet; my previous experience is with my murcielago, and it just uses an Alfa Romeo accumulator which costs £90 (some Ferrari models use this one too, I think the 360 from memory). I see the Maserati uses a piston type, as do some Ferrari's, and they seem to cost £500... I notice eurospares has a 2nd hand one at £260. Part number is 179143.

I *think* its actually made by Bosch, but not had a look at one in person yet.

 

[ChrisNico]

Thank you. Yes, I saw that the Eurospares price was just over £500. Going to get the car recovered to a specialist tomorrow and let them diagnose whether it’s the pump or accumulator.

~Chris