Vantage won't start sometimes (08MY Vantage Roadster)

[Arnoud]

Hi there, since a few weeks I have the following problem. If I try to start the car it won't start and the display says "-auto". For now the only remedy I found was turning on and off the alarm a few times and after 2-5 times everything is normal again and I can start the car.

Anybody any idea what this is before I go to the dealer for (most probably) an expensive search.

Thanks,
Arnoud

[mikey k]

I am guessing it is a sport shift?
Does it prime the pumps when or do anything when you open the door?
Is it the immobiliser staying on?

[Arnoud]

Yes it's a sportshift.

Not sure what you mean with "the pumps". Sorry, probably my English. As far as I can see/hear nothing happens.

[mikey k]

When you open the door you should hear the gearbox oil pump start and run for 10-15 seconds
Does it do the system check OK?

[Arnoud]

Aha, clear!

The systems check is OK. Next time I have this problem I will see whether or not I hear that gear box pump. Thanks for the tip!

What I also find strange is that the display warning "-auto" is nowhere mentioned in the manual and also does not result in a warning message.

[mikey k]

Have you done 3-4 clutch learns recently?

[Arnoud]

Well I feel stupid again. What is a clutch learn?

[mikey k]

The message you are getting suggests you are getting some sort of intermittent gearbox issue
ASM1 is sensitive to clutch adjustment
This is done automatically when you start the car providing you do the following;
Leave ALL electronics OFF (especially air con)
Start the car and leave your foot on the brake
Let it idle
10-15 second later you will here a loud click from under the car
This is the car fininshing the clutch learn
Do this 3-4 times in a row
It should help with the gear changes and may adjust the clutch so its not causing you the issue you are getting on start up
It might do nothing for your current problem but it is well worth getting in the habit of doing one each time you start any way
ASM2 does it on every start

[Arnoud]

Thanks again. I am learning a lot here! Will certainly try.

Arnoud

[drmw]

mikey k said:

ld help with the gear changes and may adjust the clutch so its not causing you the issue you are getting on start up
It might do nothing for your current problem but it is well worth getting in the habit of doing one each time you start any way
ASM2 does it on every start

I let it do one every start up and regularly do 3 (you do sometimes get some looks - people think the thing is broken) - are you saying this (3 times etc) should be done at every startup? What year did ASM2 get built in?

Thanks - still learning about the car

[mikey k]

drmw said:

mikey k said:

ld help with the gear changes and may adjust the clutch so its not causing you the issue you are getting on start up
It might do nothing for your current problem but it is well worth getting in the habit of doing one each time you start any way
ASM2 does it on every start

I let it do one every start up and regularly do 3 (you do sometimes get some looks - people think the thing is broken) - are you saying this (3 times etc) should be done at every startup? What year did ASM2 get built in?

Thanks - still learning about the car

I found on my MY09 car doing a clutch learn the first time you start it in a day made a difference.
ASM2 is the 7 speed box that came in on the S and is now an option on MY12 V8's