Start-up V12V

[clorenzen]

Since getting a new clutch under warranty my car has changed its behaviour. First time I wanted to start it after the clutch exchange I put the ECU into the slot as usual and pressed the clutch and apart from all lights going on nothing happened. I tried many more times but to no avail. I went to work (on my bike) and called my friendly dealer who came to my home to give it a try in my absence. They called shortly afterwards and said there was no problem. The car started as normal. Hmm - I tried again in the evening and had the same problem and started to feel slightly irritated until I slotted in the ECU much slower than before - and presto the engine fired up.

So here is the clue. After the clutch repair, the ECU needs to be slotted in much slower than before in order to trigger the starter motor - does this make sense?.

Edited by clorenzen on Friday 4th May 10:38

[peterr96]

No. It makes no sense!

I can only assume it's also had a new firmware flash that maybe impacts that. Still makes no sense though!

[CatalystV12V]

Not sure I follow precisely what you're saying...

However on mine I do the following (I also have had new clutch recently)

1) depress clutch
2) Push ECU in to 'flush' with bezel position amd remove finger from ECU.
3) Car goes through 'System Checks'
4) Once complete fully press ECU in to start engine.

Now its interesting you say that you think things are different.. Coz I think so too... I only had my car 3 weeks before the clutch was replaced, and in that time I couldn't get the ECU to stay in in step 2 above without keeping my finger on it... Sometimes the start up checks wouldn't happen and I'd start the car without them.

But it seems to behave as I would 'expect' now...

[mikey k]

When I collected my first one I had EXACTLY the same problem at the services just down the motorway.
I was and about to have a rant on the phone.
The other half got in and did it more slowly - bingo
I have found with the S I need to go straight for the full start quickly or it refuses to play and I need to extract the ECU and start again.
I'm presuming it is a software function or maybe an issue with what ever senses and talks to the ECU in the slot?

[clorenzen]

I "normally" don't have to wait until it has gone through the system check as "in the old days" it was one fluid push into the slot. Now it is more a 2 step process as you rightly describe. Old habits die hard. I have already had a word with my dealer and they claim that nothing has changed, but respect that I have had Astons with ECUs for the last 8 years so I can't be that hopeless.

[Guycord]

I have the following:-

Place ECU in the slot, flush with facia, system check, clutch pedal down, press inwards into facia....then nothing.

Place ECU in the slot, clutch pedal down, press deep in to facia in one movement....immediate fire-up.

There is another permutation...which I will need to check but as I always use method 2, I dont readily recall the sequence. This is when the key is flush and when the facia escutcheon glows read, it fires up.

[johng39]

I always depress clutch first before putting the ECU in and then press in one fluid movement. Works everytime, I find it more tempermental if I try a 2 stage start of pushing in flush then awaiting the 'POWER,BEAUTY, SOUL' & pushing again.

I cant say that I press it in slowly, just make sure that the clutch is depressed first. I have a new clutch also...

[lady topaz]

Sorry,slightly OT but I must have been asleep and missed the threads with V12V clutches failing.

Ive done close on 9,000 miles, is this something I should be anticipating or a known fault rectified.

Worried now.

Di

[johng39]

lady topaz said:

Sorry,slightly OT but I must have been asleep and missed the threads with V12V clutches failing.

Ive done close on 9,000 miles, is this something I should be anticipating or a known fault rectified.

Worried now.

Di

Di, no need to be worried, it was a replacement due to a squeel everytime the clutch was released from a standing start. No clutch failure has been reported or expected, just an annoying noise. I am told it is purely the design of the clutch cover on earlier models that vibrated causing the noise and it was changed on later models.

[lady topaz]

Thanks John.

Di

[clorenzen]

Exactly as John is saying. I had the "mouse squeak" from time to time and having done 10k miles in mine with factory warranty expiring within the next 6 months I just thought that now was a good time to have it changed at no expense. There was no failure or any fault other than the squeak which has now gone but maybe the mouse has moved to the ECU slot.

[peterr96]

clorenzen said:

Exactly as John is saying. I had the "mouse squeak" from time to time and having done 10k miles in mine with factory warranty expiring within the next 6 months I just thought that now was a good time to have it changed at no expense. There was no failure or any fault other than the squeak which has now gone but maybe the mouse has moved to the ECU slot.

Didn't Di have a mouse infestation? A red one IIRC.

[AMGreg]

johng39 said:

I always depress clutch first before putting the ECU in and then press in one fluid movement. Works everytime, I find it more tempermental if I try a 2 stage start of pushing in flush then awaiting the 'POWER,BEAUTY, SOUL' & pushing again.

I cant say that I press it in slowly, just make sure that the clutch is depressed first. I have a new clutch also...

Exactly the same as me. Key straight in with one movement. New clutch at 10k.

[Mako V12V]

Is this squeak only audible with the sport button pressed? And is it really a "fault" that needs fixing?
I'm sure this was discussed as a characteristic at the V12V owners day?
And what vin were the new type clutches fitted?
I have a very brief squeak when setting off with the sport button pressed but never hear it without sport selected.

[johng39]

Mako V12V said:

Is this squeak only audible with the sport button pressed? And is it really a "fault" that needs fixing?
I'm sure this was discussed as a characteristic at the V12V owners day?
And what vin were the new type clutches fitted?
I have a very brief squeak when setting off with the sport button pressed but never hear it without sport selected.

Personally it was a 'characteristic' I could do without. It is right up there with slipping belts!! I think it is more audible due to the sport button making the revs flare faster, but it is not related to the sport button, just the revs used.