Aston V8V Sportshift pump/ actuator sound

[black_rex]

Hello all. I have just got myself a 2007 V8V with Sportshift. Something I suspect is not quite right which I want to seek fellow owners’s advice. I understand when you open the driver’s door, there would be a long humming sound from the Sportshift pump (or is it from the actuator?) which is normal. But should you still hear it intermittently when the engine is started or when the car is running? If you do how often should that be? Mine just sounds pretty constantly as long as the engine is started, regardless if the car is at standstill or moving, on average approximately once every minute or 2. This shouldn’t be right I guess?

[Bazziz]

My car is a sportshift 2 car so not sure if the below is 100% applicable for yours but thought id share anyway in case it helps. As far as i know, my ASM pump only primes when i first open the driver door and ive not heard mine reprime as im driving the car.

On the assumption there is a fault with your car, I would start by pulling the fuse to the ASM pump in the boot fuse box (Fuse 8 from memory but double check the manual). I experienced a breakdown in my own car when the ASM pump had a software meltdown, pulling the fuse reset it and all has been well since *touch wood*.

I also know a common issue with sportshift cars is the OEM hydraulic pipes degrading and leaking and are often the cause of sportshift breakdowns (no gear selection available on dash). Most reputable indies preemptively replace them when they do a clutch change or if they spot cracks in the pipes during a service. So my initial thoughts are you might have a small leak causing the system to lose pressure and constantly recharge. Have the pipes ever been replaced? Are there any sign of fluid leaks under the car?

If its still the same after reseting the pump and theres no obvious signs of a leak I would take the car to an aston independent and ask them to take a look. Im sure an inspection underneath and plugging up AMDS will identify the root cause pretty quickly.

Hope that helps

[black_rex]

Thanks for your reply and advice. The ASM hoses were replaced recently, not failing but just as a precaution. There’s no sign of leak at all at and around the gear box. Garage suspected the ASM actuators were at fault. They have tried to dismantle them, cleaned and reinstalled. But the constant prime sound persists. Car drives normally and gear shift is fine. No sign of problem apart from the constant prime sound as long as the engine is running. As I am new to this car, just want to be sure should the system prime itself constantly or is that a sign of problem. I have checked replacing the actuator assembly and pump is so costly. Has to be sure if it is really necessary.

[EVR]

As far as I can tell, I might have heard mine when sitting in traffic, but not surely not constantly and I think when you happen to not move for a long time; but I did not struck me as weird so I haven't really registered it in my mind. Mine is a 2011 SportShift 1.

Edited by EVR on Tuesday 23 November 08:23

[Calinours]

Are you sure it isnt the vacuum pump for the exhaust valves?

[roughrider]

The ASM pump will intermittently run, depending on how much use the gearbox is getting. Every couple of minutes is pretty normal.