Bought a 2020 vantage, few problems, any advice?

[ScottAM007]

Good morning,

I recently took delivery of a 2020 Vantage with 24,000 miles. The car is beautiful however I noticed a few issues. When I originally started the car the screen would not change to radio or media. This later resolved itself on its own.

i filled up my gas tank to the top and the fuel gauge is only registering 1/2 to 3/4 of a tank full. It is currently showing empty which I know is incorrect.

the passenger door door not lock after hitting the lock button on the key fob. The door opens and the alarm goes off.

could all of these problems be battery relate? I bought the car preowned from a McLaren dealer. Is there a way to reset the system? Any advice would be much appreciated. - Thanks

[Jon39]

Welcome.

My guess would be not battery, because on average, they usually last quite a lot longer than 3 years.

As you recently purchased your car from a motor dealer, surely they are responsible for correcting early faults.

Clearly they won't have the current online Aston Martin diagnostic system, but presumably their legal responsibilities these days might require them to send the car to an Aston Martin main dealer.

Interestingly, what might they expect, if faults developed on a used McLaren sold by an Aston Martin dealer. The AM workshop might not even know where to begin.


PS. Are you perhaps U.S. based, Scott ?
'Good morning', but it is evening here in the U.K.

Edited by Jon39 on Sunday 31st December 12:34

[reddiesel]

Why don't you change the Battery and see where its leaves you ? What sort of warranty do you have from this McLaren Dealer , will he cover the cost ?
Alternatively he may cover the cost of a proper diagnosis from an Aston Dealer or Specialist . For what its worth I don't believe its big money .

[Jon39]

reddiesel said:

Alternatively he may cover the cost of a proper diagnosis from an Aston Dealer, or Specialist.

I don't think Aston Martin specialists are doing work on the Mercedes engine models.
A different Aston Martin diagnostic system is being used for those cars. It is an online only system and there is a huge cost involved.

[sticks090460]

Recently took delivery and it has faults? Back to the dealer it goes…………………

[Ninja59]

Jon39 said:

I don't think Aston Martin specialists are doing work on the Mercedes engine models.
A different Aston Martin diagnostic system is being used for those cars. It is an online only system and there is a huge cost involved.

Some of the UK ones have invested in AMDS2/AMDSDB despite the outlay. I know Aston Workshop have it for example.

[Jon39]

Ninja59 said:

Jon39 said:

I don't think Aston Martin specialists are doing work on the Mercedes engine models.
A different Aston Martin diagnostic system is being used for those cars. It is an online only system and there is a huge cost involved.

Some of the UK ones have invested in AMDS2/AMDSDB despite the outlay. I know Aston Workshop have it for example.

If the cost of purchase and subscription is as much as has been reported, Aston Workshop's hourly rate might need to increase significantly.
They dare not upset AML now, in case their AMDSDB account is closed.

Remember the vicar who went to his building society branch, and while at the counter he made polite conversation, by asking why there are rainbow coloured flags being displayed in the branch.
Very soon after that, the building society closed his account and he probably has no idea why.

[ScottAM007]

Thanks for the help everyone. I live in Tampa, FL and had the car shipped from North Carolina. Unfortunately, dealer has not been very helpful and is taking a sold “as is” posture.

I think resetting the battery is worth a shot. Is accessing the battery and disconnecting the terminals an easy procedure? Where is the battery located?

Thanks again. -Scott

[reddiesel]

The Battery is in the tailgate behind the Seat . If this Battery was ever allowed to discharge then I think you probably have your issue right there . Keep us posted on how you go

[Ninja59]

Jon39 said:

If the cost of purchase and subscription is as much as has been reported, Aston Workshop's hourly rate might need to increase significantly.
They dare not upset AML now, in case their AMDSDB account is closed.

Remember the vicar who went to his building society branch, and while at the counter he made polite conversation, by asking why there are rainbow coloured flags being displayed in the branch.
Very soon after that, the building society closed his account and he probably has no idea why.

Looking for a Vantage at Yr 6 it is £745 at Aston Workshop v £890 at Works, higher costs being caused by a coolant change at Yr6.

I actually think these costs in isolation are fairly reasonable as the Yr 6 service is 4.6 hours.

In summary at Works the base service is £600, brake fluid £125 and the coolant change £165 despite the longer service. Mainly being caused by the coolant change requiring AMDS2/DB to run the pumps to remove air locks.

[ScottAM007]

Thanks. Yes car was sitting for a while at dealer. Do you access from cabin or trunk? Behind passenger seat?

[turboman786]

By "Works" do you mean AM main dealers ?

[Simpo Two]

Ninja59 said:

Mainly being caused by the coolant change requiring AMDS2/DB to run the pumps to remove air locks.

And this is the insanity that the human race is sleepwalking into - needing a 'hugely expensive' online system just to remove airlocks after a coolant change...

[Ninja59]

turboman786 said:

By "Works" do you mean AM main dealers ?

Well I mean Aston Martin Works at NP, franchise dealers can vary pricing and ironically on a number of occasions I have found Works to be one of the cheaper ones.

[Ninja59]

Simpo Two said:

And this is the insanity that the human race is sleepwalking into - needing a 'hugely expensive' online system just to remove airlocks after a coolant change...

To be fair all manufacturers are at it to varying degrees, some worse than others but yes on the face of it very annoying having to use AMDS2 to activate the pumps is annoying. I doubt a generic tool could do it either.

You could use one of the two engineering tools that they use at Gaydon instead of AMDS2 (as really that is what happens at the factory), but AMDS2 is designed to be more idiot proof at dealer level. The names of said tools I am deliberately leaving out of the conversation here and you would still need specific files for AM platform cars with the license anyway.

The AE31 has three pumps for example, the AE22 and AE24 is easier.

[bridggar1]

Interesting about the airlock. I just picked up my brand new second hand Vantage roadster and it threw an error after 30 mins driving about coolant system. I saw the temp creep up but then it settled back returning to normal - the error went and nothing was registered. I took it back immediately and they suggested it was a blip as it had just had coolant changed in it's service.

Error hasn't returned and all back to normal so..... perhaps just an Aston quirk?

[cb804]

ScottAM007 said:

Thanks. Yes car was sitting for a while at dealer. Do you access from cabin or trunk? Behind passenger seat?

It's behind the passenger seat.

[Ninja59]

bridggar1 said:

Interesting about the airlock. I just picked up my brand new second hand Vantage roadster and it threw an error after 30 mins driving about coolant system. I saw the temp creep up but then it settled back returning to normal - the error went and nothing was registered. I took it back immediately and they suggested it was a blip as it had just had coolant changed in it's service.

Error hasn't returned and all back to normal so..... perhaps just an Aston quirk?

They can suffer the odd issue with airlocks, keep an eye on the coolant level.

[reddiesel]

Ninja59 said:

Well I mean Aston Martin Works at NP, franchise dealers can vary pricing and ironically on a number of occasions I have found Works to be one of the cheaper ones.

I am raising a smile at that statement because living nearby I have never found this to be the case . Be it Servicing or Wheel Alignment they never get anywhere near the prices offered by HWM who also have the added convenience of their excellent Flying Technicians

[reddiesel]

ScottAM007 said:

Thanks. Yes car was sitting for a while at dealer. Do you access from cabin or trunk? Behind passenger seat?

Perhaps you want to get out of your armchair and take a look for yourself