Selespeed Gearbox Failure message - only 1st, 2nd and reverse gears

[Tubbs]

Hello All,

I have recently purchased a 147 with a Selespeed transmission. This is my first Alfa experience and through general searching I have found this forum and others very helpful. There are certainly a lot of dedicated Alfa enthusiasts.

Unfortunately I have started experiencing some transmission issues (the test drive had no problems ). After driving the car home it started showing a "Gearbox Failure" message. When the car starts from cold there is no problem, it will cycle up and down through the gears happily although starting from first is a bit jumpy. Once the car warms up to around 90 on the temperature gauge the "Gearbox Failure" message shows on the dash. For a few traffic light stops it will go away and drive normally. After that the message stays and only 1st, 2nd and reverse gears are available (city and manual mode). Once the car cools down overnight the transmission functions properly again.

After reading through some posts I have checked the Selespeed oil level after opening the drivers door and placing the key in the MAR position. I topped up the level a bit with Penrite LDAS however it pretty much what I added leaked out through the tube after a while. I have checked the oil level by popping the bonnet through the passenger door (so the pump doesn't prime) and the reservoir is full almost to the top. I did notice that the colour of the oil in the reservoir (prior to me topping it up) was pink so I am assuming it is the incorrect oil.

The problem is annoyingly the same and reliable. I have it booked with a mechanic soon but was hoping for some insight as to what the problem might be so I know what to expect.

Apologies that this is my very first post to this forum!

Thank you to anyone that can assist.

[bazzbazz]

Ok, sorry but you are doing a few things wrong.

1/ You can use LDAS as an emergency top up, but when ever possible you should always use the correct Selespeed oil.
Straight out of the bottle Selespeed fluid is a light goldish colour, but once running in the system reservoir it does look slightly pinkish. (As different to the red of Transmission fluid) I would say you had the correct fluid in the system.

2/ The CORRECT way to check the Selespeed fluid level is to open drivers door, turn key to MAR (Ignition) and then run through
the gear changes till you hear the pump running. When the pump stops that is when you should check the fluid level on the dipstick. At this point the system is fully pressurized and the fluid should be at the dipstick max mark.

3/ Now, while the car is standing over night the system will depressurize and the reservoir will fill back up to the top and stop. If when this happens you have excess fluid coming out the overflow pipe (Usually resulting in a puddle on the ground by the front left tyre) then your Accumulator has failed/is failing and needs to be replaced.

The accumulator is a big black metal bulb with a rubber balloon in it that fills with the Selespeed fluid and stores it under pressure. The Selespeed Actuator uses this pressure to operate clutch and change gears.

4/ The reason the car will only operate in 1st & 2nd is because it has detected a important error in the cars operating system and as a safety measure it has gone into "Limp Home Mode". In limp home mode it restricts you gear selection to limit your speed in an effort to keep the car safe till the error is rectified.

Don't bother taking it to a mechanic unless they are specialists that regularly work on Selespeed systems, or you will be wasting your time and money.

[Tubbs]

Hi bazzbazz,

Thank you for the detailed reply, it is much appreciated. The mechanic I am going to has been recommended a few times on this forum and luckily they are local.

Would the car warming up to temperature have anything to do with the issue? Or is it just by chance that the system reaches the point of failure in the same amount of time it takes for the car to warm up?

Noted on the LDAS, that is only option Repco had when the issue started.

[Malcolm]

Hi Bazz Bazz, great info. I race a 2005 Alfa Romeo GT 4 cyl JTS Selespeed and have experienced similar issues. The only issue now in very hot weather and heavy traffic, stop start, stop start, yes the GT is road registered, we have to sit and wait until things cool down, about 20mins or so, and away we go. When racing no issues. Take care when checking that dipstick, mine has two sides to it, different min/max levels one for checking when cold, 20 degrees, ie assume overnight, the other side shows 90 degrees obviously after the engine has been run. Limp home mode had to do that a couple of times before some repairs, GT would drive along OK in second at around 60kmph but the rev's were getting up a little. Cheers Malcolm