V12 coils and sunroof module failures

[Gdc]

Just gone through the 40k miles with my MY2011 DB9 vol. Great car but now I suspect that a 3rd set of ignition coils and 2nd convertible roof module since new require replacement, yet again.

Is this normal experience for other owners' cars of similar age as both are labour-intensive and therefore expensive processes to fit seemingly poor quality components, especially given they fail every 20k miles or couple of years and the car is routinely serviced in line with the service schedule requirements?

BTW when the roof module fails my experience is that it interferes with the car electrics and switches on all the dash warning lights, including "stop the car now" , in sequence as you are driving along, each accompanied by a helpful warning bong. Oh and the wing mirrors fold in and out randomly as you drive - all slightly disconcerting when you are just in Rioja trying to buy wine..

michael

[IanV12VR]

Sorry to hear about your problems and cannot help on your coils but never heard of them going twice. From reading the forums I thought that when you replaced the coil pack they were better quality than the originals and 20k miles does sound pretty low.

It did make me smile hearing the roof module fault happened near Rioja - my 9's roof module went in exactly the same place! I was with a group of Aston's who decided to protect me on the rest of the trip taking turns in who was in front. When you see "brake failure - please pull over safely" and you are following a DB5 it does concentrate the mind! We also frequently had the car in front pull over because we had flashed them - the car had done it itself! Some strange side effects of the of module failing.

Sorry cannot be more help - stay safe!

[moveover]

The roof module went on my Vantage. It was possible to reach around inside the boot and disconnect it, thereby restoring all the other electrics to normal. Not sure if that can be done easily on a 9 though. Mike at BR will know.

[MarkM3Evoplus]

Heard misfires can be caused by oil leaking down into the coil pack area, not them actually failing (well this can be the case on the original Vanquish)

[Gdc]

Thanks. Yes BR have serviced car for past 4 years, replacing one side roof module and a full set of coil packs 2 years ago.
I'm interested to hear if others have experienced similar frequency of failure in these same components

[AMDBSVNick]

Gdc said:

Thanks. Yes BR have serviced car for past 4 years, replacing one side roof module and a full set of coil packs 2 years ago.
I'm interested to hear if others have experienced similar frequency of failure in these same components

Do BR not have an explanation?

[Gdc]

Not looking for an explanation, besides Mike has diagnosed this over the phone without having the car at BR yet. I expect he's right in his diagnosis. Parts fail, I'm used to that. I'm just interested to hear if others have similar frequency of failure on these parts too.

[3200gt]

Coil packs failing is nothing new on these engines. When I had my DB9 (2005) I had a slight misfire and asked AM the cause. They diagnosed coil packs at £112 each ! but said they wouldn't be able to tell which one or two was faulty and that I would need all 12 replacing. Whilst there might as well do plugs also. Add to that 2 days labour and they want over £3k for it. Fortunately my brother designs for Aston so I called him for the part number. Googling it I found it was a standard Denso piece. Emailed Denso direct and they sent me all 12 including P&P for £120. Half a day with the spanners, although the rear injector bolts under the bulk head are a pain, and all was fixed. £3k better off.
Just as a heads up its normally the offside front one which causes the grief as water collects in the plug recess and condensation corrodes it.

[Ken Figenus]

OMG that is a shocking mark up on simple passive wound parts. I remember following a post about this before (must have been yours) - were they not used by Toyota too but the rubber boot was different?

A part number you used for a model year would be great as a 1000% mark up is not on.

Ohh and I had that dash going haywire plus door mirror folding in trickery on mine (a hardtop mind) - its a shame something going down can affects far more than its remit!

[3200gt]

Don't think it was my thread but I may have pitched in on another with the same info. We are talking many moons ago now. Mine was on the cusp of the change over from 2 pin to 3 pin coils so I wasn't 100% sure which mine needed. I bought both types and then sold on the ones I didn't need at cost to another grateful owner.

I also did the same with air filters. They even came with the AM logo on them! They were so cheap I bought 4 pairs, used one pair then sold the rest on as I sold the car.

They are/were used by Toyota but weren't that much cheaper from them. To use theirs you just need to swop the boot over from your old ones to the new ones.
Can't help with part numbers as I deleted all my AM info when I sold the car. I couldn't see myself buying another as I was underwhelmed by it. To much Volvo and Ford parts bin on it.

Edited by 3200gt on Tuesday 29th August 13:09