147 Selespeed stuck in Neutral

RQ · 07-02-2003

My 147 Selespeed is currently parked (in my driveway!) with the gearbox apparently stuck in neutral and unable to select first or reverse.

The hydraulic pump primes when the driver's door is opened, there are no warning lights when the ignition is turned on, and the engine starts OK.

Moving the gear lever *is* sending signals to the gearbox -- it sounds as though it's trying to engage a gear -- although the buzzer doesn't sound when moving the gear lever to the right and back to shift into reverse.

A mechanic from Alfacare (roadside assist) tried disconnecting the battery to reset the computer but that didn't make any difference.

It sounds to me as though the gears are lined up tooth to tooth and the actuator can't, or won't, exert enough pressure to move them into mesh.

I have read about Selespeeds getting stuck in gear, but has anybody else had this problem?

Is there anything more that can be done -- anything else I can try -- before the tray-truck comes to take it the Alfa dealer's workshop tomorrow (Saturday) morning?

07-02-2003

Banflu - should i or you tell him?

s e a r c h b u t t o n

few experiences

07-02-2003

Hei 200 posts

i should make the search thing as my copywritten mark

Stef · 07-02-2003

RQ,

Is the 147 brand new?

I experienced my first "Selespeed slipping to neutral whilst on the move" today when trying to tke a tight U turn under full power in 1st, and the gearbox slipped fromm 1st to Neutral.

But luckily I just selected 1st immdiately and took off again, as I had 3 lanes of cars screaming towards me at 90km/hr!

Stef

Banflu · 07-02-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by T.P.:
Hei 200 posts

i should make the search thing as my copywritten mark

<hr /></blockquote>hehe, 150 of them were all saying : "use the search button". the others were off-topic

RicksAlfas · 07-02-2003

LOL @ Banflu

Ant · 07-02-2003

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by Banflu:
 <blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by T.P.:
Hei 200 posts

i should make the search thing as my copywritten mark

<hr /></blockquote>hehe, 150 of them were all saying : "use the search button". the others were off-topic

<hr /></blockquote>He's learning fast!!!

Cheese,

Ant

Banflu · 07-02-2003

hey, i'm a Jedi you know

by Mel's standards anyway

jmorgan · 11-02-2003

I have had my 147 selespeed for 18 months now and am still having some really annoying problems that Alfa seem totally unable to solve.

I have in the past had numerous selespeed failure warnings (now gone since new gearbox), not being able to engage reverse gear, refusing to change gear at speed, stalling in gear (all now in the past hopefully), and the final niggle - my car sometimes gets stuck in gear after being parked. The hydraulic pump does not activate when you open the door. It does this a few times for a few days and usually starts after 20 minutes of frustration opening door, bonnet, (and slamming!) turn on/off ingnition, etc. When it goes to Alfa to look at it of course it behaves beautifully!

So far they have:
Changed foot brake pedal switch
Fitted a new gearbox
Changed some wiring loom
Changed the hydraulic pump (this fixed it for 3 months)
Changed a gear change locking bolt/pin a few weeks ago which I thought was a waste of time.

Sure enough the problem started again yesterday.

My frustration is the hit and miss attempts to fix this. The diagnostics say nothing is wrong.

All that is left is to change the computer, which is what I suspect has been the problem all along (or is it software?), but this is so intermittent it goes weeks and even months problem free and then when you are in a hurry it just won't start!

What is the sequence that starts the hydraulic pump? The Alfa people here seem to have no idea, and their idea of troubleshooting seems to consist of changing out expensive parts until the problem goes away. Fortunately I am still with warrenty, but that does not help when the car just lets you down.

Is there maybe a selespeed software upgrade that the people in South Africa know nothing about?

I too bought the selespeed because I broke may left ankle very badly in a motobike accident many years ago and find pressing a clutch pedal painfull at times.

John

11-02-2003

Among all the past problems I had this one was included, in my case even though the selespeed pump was working (well making a noise anyway) it had failed and needed replacing.

I would undo the selespeed reservoir cap if the fluid (of which I have a big bottle

) is right up to the top after you open the drivers door there is a very good chance your pump has failed, no pressure=no gears.

good luck