[MidLifeCrisis]

Hmm, interesting. I guess the million dollar question is, have they walked backwards from the actuator replacing each component along the way until they find the bad one? I think earlier in the thread you said your mechanic wanted to replace the entire wiring harness but they (FCA) would not authourize it? That would be the first step in the chain until they (eventually) get to the controller (BCM?) and have nothing left to try.

 

[Racer Z]

They have replaced the high pressure oil pump and then the voltage regulator (pump pressure controller) with no change of symptoms.

Now they're going to run some temporary ground wires from the battery to a few different places. Then I'll get my car back for another extended test drive. A bad ground can cause all kinds of problems that are hard to track down. This I know from experience.

 

[midwayfiat]

Too funny. Don't worry, I'm sure he was still on the clock.

 

[midwayfiat]

Oops. Replied to an earlier post about the mechanic stuck on the side of the road.

 

[Racer Z]

The ground wires didn't change the situation. It faulted on them in about the same amount of time.

They still have my car. I guess there's no real point in me driving it with slipping clutches.

 

[Malibu4c]

How expensive is new gear box? It's the same one as in the Dodge Dart so how expensive can it be to replace? You might even want to get that work done at another garage (voids the warranty but at this stage, this sticking with the dealer is getting in the way of you enjoying the car).

 

[Alfanut]

How expensive is new gear box? It's the same one as in the Dodge Dart so how expensive can it be to replace? You might even want to get that work done at another garage (voids the warranty but at this stage, this sticking with the dealer is getting in the way of you enjoying the car).

It ain't the gearbox. If it was it wouldn't be working in auto mode.
Probably the clutches or related to them. Let the 'experts' decide even if it's by trial and error. You're not paying, it's only time.
Now, in the States, are the newly replaced bits warrantied for the three years from the time they are affixed to the car or does the warranty conclude after 3 years from the time of purchase? Worst case scenario could be that they 'fix' the car just before the warranty expires and soon after it fails again. What recourse do you have then?

 

[4Canada]

It ain't the gearbox. If it was it wouldn't be working in auto mode.
Probably the clutches or related to them.

Given that the clutches are integrated into the transmission, that still makes it a gearbox problem. And since his gear slippage is in Auto mode, it does point to that.

I'd certainly never accept an overhauled transmission as a warranty replacement (i.e. clutches replaced) at this stage. If Alfa wants to screw around with the repaired old tranny in a test mule, that's up to them. Racer Z has suffered enough, and I hope that they've finished using him to try out quick/cheap fixes.

 

[Malibu4c]

I'm with the Canadian... RacerZ has suffered enough. He should send them (i.e., AR USA) a letter with the word lemon law in large caps, and get a new coupe (that could take a while) or the dealer should replace the whole clutch & gear box assembly so he can enjoy his car fully. If he doesn't complain, the dealership will just keep him twisting in the wind untill the warranty runs out.

 

[Racer Z]

Transmission is in the ten thousand dollar range.

Slipping clutch is a symptom of a greater problem. The clutch engagement is controlled by hydraulic pressure. The pressure is controlled by electric voltage. And, the voltage is controlled by the computer.

It's probably a failing sensor or a dirty ground. But, FCA is to busy relying on the computer to tell them what's wrong. What they really need to do is old fashioned diagnostic work.

 

[Malibu4c]

That a pricey gearbox. Is the 10k parts and labor? I would have expected a lot less for the part seeing the same hardware is in econoboxes (mito, dart). Getting a nasty lawyer to write a Lemon Law letter to Reid Bigland would be cheaper.

 

[Racer Z]

It's all warranty, regardless of the monetary value.

 

[Malibu4c]

The main difference between warranty and out of pocket is in warranty, they make the decisions not you so you could be in the auto mode for the rest of your warranty period doing these "extended test drives" as they try to "fix" (let the clock run out) your case. If you're happy in auto mode (and like having your car in the dealership's service dept), then it doesn't matter, but if you're not getting the enjoyment you expected from the car, you might need to take matters in your own hands.

 

[Kilarny]

Transmission is in the ten thousand dollar range.

Slipping clutch is a symptom of a greater problem. The clutch engagement is controlled by hydraulic pressure. The pressure is controlled by electric voltage. And, the voltage is controlled by the computer.

It's probably a failing sensor or a dirty ground. But, FCA is to busy relying on the computer to tell them what's wrong. What they really need to do is old fashioned diagnostic work.

You mean, get down in there, hook an oscilloscope into all the signal and control lines with a mighty octopus of debug cables, and get out on the road to do SCIENCE?!? I'm volunteering. Seriously.

You're right, by the way, they're definitely relying too much on the computer. They need better data.

As a side, note, Racer Z, I'd just like to say thanks for taking one on the chin for the team. If you can manage to push/help Alfa into properly diagnosing your problem, then the next one of us that has it won't have to go through what you have. From my perspective, that's a Good Thing.

Cheers,
Kilarny

 

[Racer Z]

Finally, an update that excites me. This morning FCA sent my dealer a software update for the TCM. The patch includes other transmission fixes that I haven't experienced. Meaning, they've been working on a transmission update and added a fix for my problem to it.

This morning the dealer installed the patch and test drove without any issues. They want to test it further before returning my car.

ATM, I do not know what this patch covers. I've told you everything I know. I will ask more questions later and forward this along.

My dealer is happy that FCA response time is getting better.

Racer Z, signing out.

 

[heelntoe]

I bring bad luck. Whenever I watch baseball or hockey my home team loses. Actually when anyone watches any hockey game anywhere, our home team loses, but let's not get into semantics. I refuse to acknowledge this latest development in any positive way because the last time I did that you lost and the fix failed. I hope this doesn't work out for you this time.

 

[Racer Z]

I bring bad luck. Whenever I watch baseball or hockey my home team loses. Actually when anyone watches any hockey game anywhere, our home team loses, but let's not get into semantics. I refuse to acknowledge this latest development in any positive way because the last time I did that you lost and the fix failed. I hope this doesn't work out for you this time.

Your negativity is understood and appreciate. Now go wash your car so we'll get some rain.

 

[heelntoe]

I did, yesterday. Guess what it's doing outside right now.

Don't you worry, I got this.

 

[4Canada]

Said like a true Leafs fan, heelntoe!

 

[Malibu4c]

We'll all cross our fingers. Let's hope the dealer fixed your problem for good.