Tyre System Fault

[stevecur]

Hi all

First of all, many thanks for all the useful information on this site.

I have used it to purchase my first Aston Martin

A 2008 DB9 V12 with fairly decent mileage (27,000).

Have had it for a few days and all was fine. Today (after a terrible downpour in London), I started the car and the yellow tyre light came on with the message "Tyre System Fault).

Through reading the various threads on this forum, I located the SmartTire unit in the passenger footwell.

All 5 lights (4 tyres and the main light) are flashing yellow.

Does this mean anything to anyone? Of course, first port of call is going to be to check the tyre pressure but my book is at home and I am unaware of the correct pressures.

Also, seen as though all lights are flashing, it could point to another fault rather than one of the wheels?

I am greatful for any information (also, a pint for someone who can tell me the correct pressures for a 2008 DB9 Coupe V12) so I can go to check the pressures tonight.

Thanks in advance all!

All the best,

Stephen

[bomberh]

The lights do all come on and are flashing when the system is initialising. It then picks up the sensors and they all go out apart from the green light.
Sometimes there is a fault in the system where the sensors do not communicate with the system properly. This can be if you have had the engine running for 5 minutes or so, the fault will occur. Drive the car around for a few minutes and the warning triangle will turn off and all will be well.
For peace of mind, when you go to park the car, leave the engine running and lean over to the passenger side looking under the passenger foot well. You will hopefully see, one green light on (shows the system is on and working) and all the other lights will not be on.
I had a false activation once on the motorway. Thought that I had a puncture. However, after a couple of miles it went off again. When I checked everything, when I eventually found a services, it all appeared to be fine.
I am sure that that's what your problem is. Hope this helps?

Edited by bomberh on Sunday 10th August 17:47

[stevecur]

Hi Bomberh

Absolutely spot on.

Everything is now back to normal. I drove around 3 - 5km and the light went off. Pulled over and had a look and the green light is back on.

Might have been something to do with the almighty storm we've had here. Who knows?

I'm also being very highly strung when it comes to faults like these. First car in this class and I'm a little over-protective.

Thank you very much for the prompt reply.


Safe driving.

[V8 Animal]

It will come on regularly im afraid, TATDS

[stevecur]

Hi V8

Yup, just had a good read-up on it. Shame you can't disconnect the unit easily without causing yet more error lights / messages...

[8Tech]

Can you not? I just unplugged the unit and scrapped the 3 of 4 damaged sensors when I had new tyres fitted to my wheels. I now just check the pressures regularly as I have done all my motoring life and have no warnings showing anywhere.

I believe these are not the most reliable of Aston Martin's systems anyway.

[steveatesh]

stevecur said:

I'm also being very highly strung when it comes to faults like these. First car in this class and I'm a little over-protective.


Safe driving.

Hmm, get ready for a bad bout of Aston neurosis then, plenty little idiosyncrasies to keep your nerves on edge. However, the good thing is that they are reliable cars in general especially as regards the engine and running gear. It's the little things that come and go, very often intermittently!

Enjoy your car and welcome.

[stevecur]

Thanks, 8tech. I'll read up on that. Tyres will need replacing soon anyway.

Thank you very much for the welcome, Steve. With regards to the idiosyncrasies, I'm trying to prepare myself for them. I used to own a 65' Beetle back in the day so I should be more than used to them...

I got the car for a fairly good price and have always stood by the mantra "If it's too good to be true" so I've been listening for misfires and knocks on the engine for a ridiculous amount of time. The neighbours must think I've lost the plot..!

Other worries include:

- Worrying about over revving the engine in manual mode
- An odd burning smell when I'm giving it beans up to the higher revs
- The fact that the car is on 28,000 and the guide for a new clutch is around 25? I did factor this into the price, however...

Best,

Stephen

[V8LM]

V8 Animal said:

It will come on regularly im afraid, TATDS

Speaking like Yoda you are.

[JACK6284]

I had the same warning yesterday on my V12 Vantage. I had been on the M20 for around 30 minutes running at 70mph so the tyres may have warmed up. After a few minutes the system cleared itself and no further problems on the way back to Essex.

[stevecur]

I'v over in Essex too, Jack.

Could be something in the air...

[Neil1300r]

stevecur said:

Other worries include:

- Worrying about over revving the engine in manual mode
- An odd burning smell when I'm giving it beans up to the higher revs
- The fact that the car is on 28,000 and the guide for a new clutch is around 25? I did factor this into the price, however...

Best,

Stephen

Is it a manual or an Auto? You talk about a clutch, but also talk about manual mode.

[avinalarf]

stevecur said:

I'v over in Essex too, Jack.

Could be something in the air...

Essex......
Definitely something in the air !

[avinalarf]

stevecur said:

I'v over in Essex too, Jack.

Could be something in the air...

Essex......
Definitely something in the air !

[stevecur]

Sorry it's an Auto. I mean Tiptronic Manual (I don't know the correct term, sorry).

[Neil1300r]

stevecur said:

Sorry it's an Auto. I mean Tiptronic Manual (I don't know the correct term, sorry).

Its an auto, with manual override on the DB9 - no clutch to worry about. You can't over rev it, as its got a rev limiter - basically cuts the power.
Not sure about the burning smell though - would have guessed clutch if it was a manual.

[Biggriff]

Its very easy to bypass the e3arly TPMS system and not show any warning messages. Did mine the other week. Just got the wiring diagram out, worked out which wire did what and then sorted it. No error messages and easily returned to full operation.

[stevecur]

Thanks for the information.

I will try and convince someone a little more savvy than me to attempt to disable it.

Would much rather keep an eye on the tyres myself...

[bomberh]

stevecur said:

Hi Bomberh

Absolutely spot on.

Everything is now back to normal. I drove around 3 - 5km and the light went off. Pulled over and had a look and the green light is back on.

Might have been something to do with the almighty storm we've had here. Who knows?

I'm also being very highly strung when it comes to faults like these. First car in this class and I'm a little over-protective.

Thank you very much for the prompt reply.


Safe driving.

No worries, glad I could help.

We have all been there. You will get to know your cars own little faults and idiosyncrasies and those of the Aston brand.

No doubt you will be back when you get a emissions warning come up We will save that one for when it happens

Don't worry about being over protective, I'm like that, but it has taken me a while to get to know my car and understand what is normal and what needs attention/repair

If you need any help with things, just pop back here and someone, maybe me, will hopefully be able to give you some advice

[stevecur]

Thanks very much for the offer of help, bomberh. Although I'm sure you'll regret it...

Having the time of my life at the moment. I did hire one for 2 weeks prior to buying this. It had 9 previous owners, 79k on the clock, 2 misfires and an "Emission" warning for good measure...