My Alfa Romeo 156 won't start (Selespeed fault)
I've had various gear box faults over the past few months, but most of which fixed relatively easily. Now the car will not start - well... doesn't even turn over. It has a selespeed gear box, and will not move from first gear into neutral (needed for the car to start). When I try to turn the car over, there is nothing. Nothing at all. All I have is the gearbox light on the dash, and a gearbox stuck in 1st. I've checked all the obviously - starter motor, ECU, fuses, gear selectors etc
I'm aware this is clearly a gearbox problem, however, my local Alfa garage are complete idiots, and generally don't know what they are talking about. I don't want to pay them £100 to tow it to the local centre, then charge me £70 to just hook it up to their diagnostic machine to tell me the car is f**ked - I know that already! Anyone had a similar problem? How did you fix? Any ideas as to how I get it into neutral?
Thanks in advance.
I'm aware this is clearly a gearbox problem, however, my local Alfa garage are complete idiots, and generally don't know what they are talking about. I don't want to pay them £100 to tow it to the local centre, then charge me £70 to just hook it up to their diagnostic machine to tell me the car is f**ked - I know that already! Anyone had a similar problem? How did you fix? Any ideas as to how I get it into neutral?
Thanks in advance.
Cars & Trucks - Alfa Romeo - 156 - 2000 Alfa Romeo 156
Answers & Comments
Had the same sort of problem with friend's 159 2.4 JTD two weeks ago, was towed to the dealers who fitted a new battery for a lot of money. (said the battery was stuffed) Same thing when his wife was shopping last Sat. Jumped started it and took it home, once started being a diesel it drove until switched off. Wouldn't start or even turn over,checked everything over 2 days, I'm a aircraft mech and he's an electrician. Sunday afternoon I said, Back to basics test for power to the starter solonoid - none,
He said, So the solonoid is stuffed,
I said, Test for earth at the starter,
He said, But the starter earths thru the motor.
I connected a jumper lead from the negative battery terminal onto a bolt on the motor, the motor started and ran straight away. Faulty earth strap. Apoligies from the dealer.
Moral of this story - I've owned 3 and currently own 2 Alfa's and all of them at some stage have had an earth problem.
Hook a direct earth from the battery to the engine.
Maybe this can help Howie.
This sounds like an inhibitor switch problem, but i am afraid the part is only available from Alfas.