V12S - My first visit to my local AM Franchise
Discussion
My new to me, lovely 2017 V12S requires a Tracker to comply with my insurance requirements and so I contacted Vodafone to get the Tracker that is currently installed assigned to a new account in my name.
Unfortunately, the Tracker would not ‘talk’ to Vodafone and so they asked me to visit a dealer to investigate the ‘non com’ situation. I made a swift booking with the helpful staff at my nearest AM dealer and dropped it off this morning. I asked the dealer to look at 2 other issues, a light rattle around the sat nav screen ( the internet suggests this is a common challenge ) and what can only be described as a chirping noise , a bit like a wastegate opening/shutting, but not very loud, that I can only hear when the window is open ( It is tricky not to listen to the engine as much as possible )
At lunchtime I was asked if I would agree to a hard reset on the Tracker for £107.00 which I agreed to ( My wife’s Macan recently needed this, but that was a warranty issue ). This proved ineffective so……..They say I need a new Tracker at a not inconsiderable cost of £3K. I noted that my Alpina Tracker had cost £500.00 in October, but was met with shrugged shoulders. I said that I would just get another Tracker installed ( I am not desperate for ta Vodafone system ), and was advised that the existing Tracker needed be ‘coded out’ ( whatever that means, but I think this means disconnected ( £ 292.50 ) to avoid ‘battery drain’ ( their response)).
The chirp is possibly ( no guarantee of a fix ) an issue with the rear exhaust, so they have suggested a new back box ( singular, so presumably not both ) at a whopping £ 3,961.58. I suspect an after market exhaust would offer more fun/value.
The dash rattle is an unknown quantity, but they will ‘look into’ that for £ 482.50 ( again no guarantee of a fix ).
I suspect that you can imagine that I am not investing in most of their advice, but I am keen to know about the potential battery drain of the old immobiliser - Does anyone know how tricky it would be to isolate the existing Tracker ( I appreciate that they are , by design, difficult to find/disconnect )?
Unfortunately, the Tracker would not ‘talk’ to Vodafone and so they asked me to visit a dealer to investigate the ‘non com’ situation. I made a swift booking with the helpful staff at my nearest AM dealer and dropped it off this morning. I asked the dealer to look at 2 other issues, a light rattle around the sat nav screen ( the internet suggests this is a common challenge ) and what can only be described as a chirping noise , a bit like a wastegate opening/shutting, but not very loud, that I can only hear when the window is open ( It is tricky not to listen to the engine as much as possible )
At lunchtime I was asked if I would agree to a hard reset on the Tracker for £107.00 which I agreed to ( My wife’s Macan recently needed this, but that was a warranty issue ). This proved ineffective so……..They say I need a new Tracker at a not inconsiderable cost of £3K. I noted that my Alpina Tracker had cost £500.00 in October, but was met with shrugged shoulders. I said that I would just get another Tracker installed ( I am not desperate for ta Vodafone system ), and was advised that the existing Tracker needed be ‘coded out’ ( whatever that means, but I think this means disconnected ( £ 292.50 ) to avoid ‘battery drain’ ( their response)).
The chirp is possibly ( no guarantee of a fix ) an issue with the rear exhaust, so they have suggested a new back box ( singular, so presumably not both ) at a whopping £ 3,961.58. I suspect an after market exhaust would offer more fun/value.
The dash rattle is an unknown quantity, but they will ‘look into’ that for £ 482.50 ( again no guarantee of a fix ).
I suspect that you can imagine that I am not investing in most of their advice, but I am keen to know about the potential battery drain of the old immobiliser - Does anyone know how tricky it would be to isolate the existing Tracker ( I appreciate that they are , by design, difficult to find/disconnect )?
I have a 2014 V12VS with no tracker fitted. A tracker has not been required by my last two insurance companies, Admiral nor Classic Line.
I had one on my previous 2013 V8S and it was a right pain, prompting numerous phone calls from the tracking company for no obvious reason. Hence I had no desire to fit one to the V12VS.
If you can solve the insurance company issue, I’m fairly sure a competent auto electrician (or indie AM specialist) with tracker knowledge could easily disconnect yours at way less than main dealer prices.
I had one on my previous 2013 V8S and it was a right pain, prompting numerous phone calls from the tracking company for no obvious reason. Hence I had no desire to fit one to the V12VS.
If you can solve the insurance company issue, I’m fairly sure a competent auto electrician (or indie AM specialist) with tracker knowledge could easily disconnect yours at way less than main dealer prices.
Tin Hat said:
... I suspect that you can imagine that I am not investing in most of their advice, but I am keen to know about the potential battery drain of the old immobiliser - Does anyone know how tricky it would be to isolate the existing Tracker ( I appreciate that they are , by design, difficult to find/disconnect )?
£292-50 !!
Wonder if that 50p is supposed to emphasise the accuracy of their costing?
Main dealer prices are a joke, but to be fair, I suppose they are saddled with huge overheads which have to be paid for.
After the tracker has been physically disconnected, my understanding is a computer file has to be loaded to the car, telling the electronics not to look for the tracker. Not sure, but without that file, there would certainly be dashboard error messages, maybe even other consequences. £50 is the charge by an independent for the whole job, but you don't get smoked glass and travertine flooring at that firm. -
I have never had insurance insistence for a tracker (with more than one insurer), but maybe that aspect varies with location.
There is only one backbox (serves both exhaust pipes), but it does not seem from your description, that the main dealer (MD) is even certain that there is a hole in it.
I have not heard any comments on here about failed backboxes. The faults mentioned in that area tend to be stuck exhaust valves (there are 2), but they can be replaced separately from the backbox (although perhaps MDs just replace the whole thing).
EDIT.
Just had a thought. There is the famous Fuse 22 (although on your car it is probably 15). Fuse box is under the tyre inflation kit in the boot. Removal of the fuse is a popular 'mod' and keeps the exhaust valves open. Gases then don't go through the backbox, so if the chirping sound stops, I suppose that might indicate a holed backbox. Worth a try. The only risk with permanently removing the fuse, it that the valves in time might become stuck through lack of use, but the fuse can always be replaced occasionally.
Edited by Dewi 2 on Monday 4th April 23:30
I had a new Vodafone tracker fitted to my car in 2015 as the original one packed up. Initially it caused a few electrical niggles followed a few weeks later by a rapid battery drain. It was fitted by my local AM dealer and cost around £1,500. I know we are living in inflationary times, but £3,000 seems a bit of a stretch to me. I’ve never heard of battery drain problems with the Vodafone system though. The only reported issues I’m aware of relate to the older trackers used in the earlier cars. Could be worth speaking to Aston Installations as they fit trackers, and they can probably give you some useful advice. I would agree with Dewi re the exhaust. Sensible move to check the fuse, check the valves and check for any holes before doing anything else. Good luck. I hope you manage to get everything resolved as soon as possible and can get back to enjoying your car.
Best Regards
Minglar
Best Regards
Minglar
There’s always Aston tax involved but those numbers especially on the Tracker seem exorbitant.
I’ve just paid £549 including one years sub on a Vodafone cat 5 system ( with the driver fob ) on an R8.
The sub on my GT8 is £217 per year and when I asked Vodafone why the R8 was “ only “ £199 they said Aston was always more - it’s the same system !
Might be worth a call to Vodafone ?
As for back box , a quicksilver replacement of most of the system would cost less perhaps ?
I’ve just paid £549 including one years sub on a Vodafone cat 5 system ( with the driver fob ) on an R8.
The sub on my GT8 is £217 per year and when I asked Vodafone why the R8 was “ only “ £199 they said Aston was always more - it’s the same system !
Might be worth a call to Vodafone ?
As for back box , a quicksilver replacement of most of the system would cost less perhaps ?
Simpo Two said:
Tin Hat said:
My new to me, lovely 2017 V12S requires a Tracker to comply with my insurance requirements
I don't know the value of your car but Mannings don't require a tracker if it's under £70K.
As said above Ive not heard of the latest Voda tracker draining batteries, so I would perhaps try a different MD. Sounds like the one you've gone to maybe trying it on with all the items you've listed. Different MD's have very different approaches to customers. Shop around!
Performance Direct issued me with a tracker nano, free of charge when I took out a policy with them. Its the battery operated model that only works for a few days when reported stolen. No subscription. No battery draining issues. Their policy was one of the most competitive too. Maybe try a different insurer next time.
Dewi 2 said:
EDIT.
Just had a thought. There is the famous Fuse 22 (although on your car it is probably 15). Fuse box is under the tyre inflation kit in the boot. Removal of the fuse is a popular 'mod' and keeps the exhaust valves open. Gases then don't go through the backbox, so if the chirping sound stops, I suppose that might indicate a holed backbox. Worth a try. The only risk with permanently removing the fuse, it that the valves in time might become stuck through lack of use, but the fuse can always be replaced occasionally.
Alternatively just occasionally lean under the rear of the car and push the valve rods a couple of times to keep them free Just had a thought. There is the famous Fuse 22 (although on your car it is probably 15). Fuse box is under the tyre inflation kit in the boot. Removal of the fuse is a popular 'mod' and keeps the exhaust valves open. Gases then don't go through the backbox, so if the chirping sound stops, I suppose that might indicate a holed backbox. Worth a try. The only risk with permanently removing the fuse, it that the valves in time might become stuck through lack of use, but the fuse can always be replaced occasionally.
Edited by Dewi 2 on Monday 4th April 23:30
Never heard of a failed backbox on such a young car either, and not making a chirping sound either due to a hole or seized valves.
If you do need a new backbox there's plenty of OEM ones on ebay, presumably from owners who fitted the titanium exhaust. I've still got mine too from doing this, which one day I should sell, but it does have one seized open valve so...
If you do need a new backbox there's plenty of OEM ones on ebay, presumably from owners who fitted the titanium exhaust. I've still got mine too from doing this, which one day I should sell, but it does have one seized open valve so...
Edited by AdamV12V on Tuesday 5th April 18:58
hashluck said:
Talk to Aston Installations - they will remove your existing Tracker for free most likely whilst fitting a new one.
This is a good call, no need to get and Aston Dealer to fit it with their undoubted inflated price for doing so. I am sure James will sort you out and an independent would probably sort out your other problems just as well. AI do a lot more than fit Apple CarPlay systems so wouldn’t be surprised if they could sort your other issues as well.I had a roof issue on my Flugplatz V12VR which the car had had from the start and I eventually changed to AJ Tech in Newton Abbot for servicing. Whilst the car was with him he said that he didn’t think the roof mechanism was working properly and did I want it sorted. Within 20 minutes he had it closing smoothly. I hadn’t even raised it because I had accepted how it worked. Specialist Independents tend to know these cars very well and have capabilities to fix things main dealers don’t really have.
Those rattles are an absolute arse to track down. Mine went in countless times and had padding stuffed all over the place, yet the dreaded rattleship continued to rattle. The culprit was eventually identified as the de-ice vents at the leading edge of the dashtop. Two inadequate screws each side needing tightening up. In truth, slightly longer or bigger screws would likely have avoided the issue from the outset, My point is, just be careful you're not giving them money to just look in the AM 'how-to' manual and do what it says without first investigating what the actual issue is.
Felonious said:
Those rattles are an absolute arse to track down. Mine went in countless times and had padding stuffed all over the place, yet the dreaded rattleship continued to rattle. The culprit was eventually identified as the de-ice vents at the leading edge of the dashtop. Two inadequate screws each side needing tightening up. In truth, slightly longer or bigger screws would likely have avoided the issue from the outset, My point is, just be careful you're not giving them money to just look in the AM 'how-to' manual and do what it says without first investigating what the actual issue is.
I have grabbed, wedged and clung on to everything between the steering wheel and the passenger side of the dash, I cannot make any location specific impact on the sound - I do not think that it will be easy to resolve.I will get the new tracker installed at a decent place and see if one of their team can investigate - I suspect that they will be very familiar with removing and refitting trim.
From my experience at the AM dealer so far, in the future I will be going to an independent, or looking for a main dealer out in the sticks - This bunch refer to their staff as technicians, but I fear that they have a load of NVQ qualified youngsters who, as you suggest, follow a flow chart for repairing things. I was going to seek an extended warranty, but I don’t feel that this lot are worth establishing a relationship with.
They are missing a trick, I am probably just the kind of customer that they would target, no kids, addicted to cars and solvent enough to be broadly happy to pay whatever skilled work costs
Tin Hat said:
My new to me, lovely 2017 V12S requires a Tracker to comply with my insurance requirements and so I contacted Vodafone to get the Tracker that is currently installed assigned to a new account in my name.
Unfortunately, the Tracker would not ‘talk’ to Vodafone and so they asked me to visit a dealer to investigate the ‘non com’ situation. I made a swift booking with the helpful staff at my nearest AM dealer and dropped it off this morning. I asked the dealer to look at 2 other issues, a light rattle around the sat nav screen ( the internet suggests this is a common challenge ) and what can only be described as a chirping noise , a bit like a wastegate opening/shutting, but not very loud, that I can only hear when the window is open ( It is tricky not to listen to the engine as much as possible )
At lunchtime I was asked if I would agree to a hard reset on the Tracker for £107.00 which I agreed to ( My wife’s Macan recently needed this, but that was a warranty issue ). This proved ineffective so……..They say I need a new Tracker at a not inconsiderable cost of £3K. I noted that my Alpina Tracker had cost £500.00 in October, but was met with shrugged shoulders. I said that I would just get another Tracker installed ( I am not desperate for ta Vodafone system ), and was advised that the existing Tracker needed be ‘coded out’ ( whatever that means, but I think this means disconnected ( £ 292.50 ) to avoid ‘battery drain’ ( their response)).
The chirp is possibly ( no guarantee of a fix ) an issue with the rear exhaust, so they have suggested a new back box ( singular, so presumably not both ) at a whopping £ 3,961.58. I suspect an after market exhaust would offer more fun/value.
The dash rattle is an unknown quantity, but they will ‘look into’ that for £ 482.50 ( again no guarantee of a fix ).
I suspect that you can imagine that I am not investing in most of their advice, but I am keen to know about the potential battery drain of the old immobiliser - Does anyone know how tricky it would be to isolate the existing Tracker ( I appreciate that they are , by design, difficult to find/disconnect )?
Do you draw any conclusions from your - admittedly limited - experience of visiting dealerships?Unfortunately, the Tracker would not ‘talk’ to Vodafone and so they asked me to visit a dealer to investigate the ‘non com’ situation. I made a swift booking with the helpful staff at my nearest AM dealer and dropped it off this morning. I asked the dealer to look at 2 other issues, a light rattle around the sat nav screen ( the internet suggests this is a common challenge ) and what can only be described as a chirping noise , a bit like a wastegate opening/shutting, but not very loud, that I can only hear when the window is open ( It is tricky not to listen to the engine as much as possible )
At lunchtime I was asked if I would agree to a hard reset on the Tracker for £107.00 which I agreed to ( My wife’s Macan recently needed this, but that was a warranty issue ). This proved ineffective so……..They say I need a new Tracker at a not inconsiderable cost of £3K. I noted that my Alpina Tracker had cost £500.00 in October, but was met with shrugged shoulders. I said that I would just get another Tracker installed ( I am not desperate for ta Vodafone system ), and was advised that the existing Tracker needed be ‘coded out’ ( whatever that means, but I think this means disconnected ( £ 292.50 ) to avoid ‘battery drain’ ( their response)).
The chirp is possibly ( no guarantee of a fix ) an issue with the rear exhaust, so they have suggested a new back box ( singular, so presumably not both ) at a whopping £ 3,961.58. I suspect an after market exhaust would offer more fun/value.
The dash rattle is an unknown quantity, but they will ‘look into’ that for £ 482.50 ( again no guarantee of a fix ).
I suspect that you can imagine that I am not investing in most of their advice, but I am keen to know about the potential battery drain of the old immobiliser - Does anyone know how tricky it would be to isolate the existing Tracker ( I appreciate that they are , by design, difficult to find/disconnect )?
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