Is Aston Simply a POS??

[genyosai]

As mentioned in my first, ever post on this forum, my wife always wanted us to buy an Aston, but not knowing anything about them I never would. Recently I decdied to try an 05 DB9 with 12,000 miles on it since the price was right. Figured "what the heck" at that price.

Well, in 1,000 miles I've had this issue:

http://www.astonmartinlife.com/forum...21&postcount=1

Now I have a check engine warning stating "emissions systems service required"!

Wth???!!! And what next???? What sucks is I'm currently 400miles from home. We head back tomorrow and I just hope this isn't something major as in a clogged converter or something. That would leave us stranded on the highway I'm sure.

I NEVER thought I'd say that my Ferrari have been less troublesome.

The car is a beauty. It sounds wonderful. The interior is heavenly. Im Selling this car Monday.

Nick

[altawashm]

"Now I have a check engine warning stating "emissions systems service required"!"

easy, first ESSR always coming with check engine.
second check engine it can be just from the O2 sensor (small issue) or it can be some other, check using any OBD2 tool or take it to the Local Dealer.

don't worry In Sha Allah its easy..

[genyosai]

Originally Posted by altawashm

"Now I have a check engine warning stating "emissions systems service required"!"

easy, first ESSR always coming with check engine.
second check engine it can be just from the O2 sensor (small issue) or it can be some other, check using any OBD2 tool or take it to the Local Dealer.

don't worry In Sha Allah its easy..

OK. I own an obdii scanner, but since I'm away from home, I bought another. The check engine error turns out is related to my fuel guage issue. The error states "fuel level sensor fault".

I feel somewhat better that this isn't a "new" problem in addition to the fuel gauge, but still somewhat upset that I have such an issue at all on a car with that has only 13,000 miles on it. My '09 Quattroporte I've expected problems but haven't any in 40,000 miles.

I guess I'll keep it, replace the fuel sensor float myself, then see if anything else goes wrong.

Nick

[Astonnut]

Bear in mind you are comparing an 05 early production car (early cars will always have more "issues") with an 09 Maser!
Don't let the odd emission warning quirk undermine your confidence, the new Gaydon Aston range have proved to be very robust with few major problems, they do have the odd quirk, but let's call it personality rather than faults, although I appreciate it undermines your initial confidence - the newer the car generally the less quirks!

[genyosai]

Originally Posted by Astonnut

Bear in mind you are comparing an 05 early production car (early cars will always have more "issues") with an 09 Maser!
Don't let the odd emission warning quirk undermine your confidence, the new Gaydon Aston range have proved to be very robust with few major problems, they do have the odd quirk, but let's call it personality rather than faults, although I appreciate it undermines your initial confidence - the newer the car generally the less quirks!

Hi, Astonnut. I'm only comparing to my '09 Maserati because that's what I have comparable at the moment. I could compare it to the '06 Quattroporte that I had which had no issues until I got rid of it at 67,000 miles. Better yet.... perhaps I should've compared it to my '05 612 Scaglietti whith 18,000 miles on it; the Aston 13,000 miles. On the Scaglietti I've had to replace a power steering hose clamp for a small leak that the original clamp wouldn't seal.

I'm all for cars being described as having character.... soul. I prefer speaking of them in that manner as well. however, I think this Aston has a little too much "character" too soon

In addition to the fuel level sensor errors (which are being repaired Tuesday btw), the car is now displaying more of it's personality. I've narrowed the issue down to this exact pattern:

1. Open the driver's door, then close it (without locking). Count for 30 seconds (or wait for the start engine button illumination to dim)
2. Open the driver's door.

The door locks are now continuously trying to lock the doors, but can't because of the open door. Close the door and the attempts to lock stop.

1. Immediately open the door again (before the illumination dims), and it doesn't happen.
2. Close the door and wait 30 minutes to reopen; it doesn't happen.
3. Close the door, wait for the illumination to dim (or 30 seconds), but still use the "unlock" button on the remote.... it doesn't happen.
4. Close the door, lock the car, unlock, open and it doesn't happen.

Obviously there's some bug in a software routine that needs tweaking considering the timing and conditions necessary for it to happen. The dealer is addressing this on Tuesday as well.

After these issues are repaired, I'm giving the car some more time. I love the style, sound, and craftsmanship. Hand-builts amaze me, and I feel that automobiles that are hand made are done so by folks with more automotive passion. I'm just agitated, I suppose, because this is my first Aston and the car has such low-mileage for this many issues IMO.

But hey.... if you see my first post ever.... knowing nothing af Aston quality IS the reason I decided to buy at this price.

--Nick

[Vulcan]

Hi Nick,
The fault with the fuel level sensor is a very common one on a lot of Ford model cars, Ford owned makes (at the time) and that includes Jaguars. I visit a Jaguar specialist regularly as I have the Ford dealer IDS diagnostic tool, and most of the Jaguars that Ford had anything to do with, throw up this error code (along with many others that you won't be aware of) and simply clearing them from the memory is sufficient. I find that a lot of issues are simple remedies such as a bad connection and some WD40.
However, due to the canbus electrical systems, a fault such as yours could be down to a bad connection in a completely different system such as the ABS for example.
I am sure this will be a minor inconvenience to you rather than a major fault so don't give her up.

[genyosai]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

However, due to the canbus electrical systems, a fault such as yours could be down to a bad connection in a completely different system such as the ABS for example.

This is what I'm afraid of. The previous owner purchased the car and had it serviced at the dealership where I purchased it from. I'm sure the dealer would never tell, but I'm wondering if this is an issue that they were never able to pinpoint due to the canbus system. I hope not.

I've figured the pattern necessary for the fuel level fault.

1. Fill the tank until the pump stops. Fuel indicator stops 1/8th shy of full.
2. Drive the car approximately 10-15 miles (yes, it's that exact).

Fuel level indicator will drop to "E" and range indicator will specify "---"

3. Another 10-15 miles and the indicator will rise back to 1/8th shy of full.

From this point the indicator works normally with the "chance" that the check engine will illuminate stating "emissions systems service required".

It's almost as if the tank gets filled beyond the sensors capability to register, causes a sensor fault (needle drops), and once the fuel actually reaches the level of 1/8th below full... the sensor recognizes normality and functions properly until the next fill up. I've tested this by leaving the switched power on while fueling.... stopping as soon as the indicator reaches 7/8ths of a tank. In this case I didn't have the indicator malfunction.

My issue with this is I don't know if the fuel gauge is accurate once it recovers from the error.

Nick

[Vulcan]

I have had no experience of working on your model car but on many other makes and models, the gauge can be calibrated or altered using the diagnostic tool. Obviously when a new component such as a fuel tank or sender is fitted then a calibration would be done using exact amounts of fuel etc. Wonder if it is possible to recalibrate yours? Will be interesting to know what the dealer does.

[genyosai]

I suspect this car could have quite a few "software" updates that need performing (at least I hope). I'll post what the resolution was to the door locking and fuel level issues that I currently have once service is performed next week.

Nick

[genyosai]

I have this issue as of yesterday It seems to be intermittent, though. Perhaps the control module in my trunk is getting overheated (temps are averaging high 90s right now).

The dealership sure has a lot to look into next week.

--Nick

[genyosai]

New developments.

Right taillight:




Right brake light:

[genyosai]

Update:

Everything is working now "except" the fuel gauge. I'm still having the same problems despite the fact the dealer replaced the fuel sending unit. All of the studying I've done on the error code since getting the car back, it seems that just as Vulcan mentioned, tons of Ford owners have this problem. The REAL problem is that there seems to be no solution. Some threads I've read even state that Ford has simply stated to not overfill the tank. Well, the problem with that is filling until the pump stops is usually a little overfilled in relation to the actual float stopping point.

The following thread that I found on a Ford forum seems to be exactly as I'd theorized:

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/sh...0&postcount=10

I'm not liking this The dealer had my car for 4 weeks!

--Nick