Sigh.....Gearbox light on, lost reverse and even # gears

I'm dealing with the same (or similar issue). Getrag DCT problems, a/c causes condensation on windshield. Since then, the dealership called after my service to ask how the car was. I told them the gearbox issue had returned and they asked me to bring it back in so they could try a simple fix attempt, which is described in this other post. Transmission problem ferrari california 2011 After they completed that, I tried to drive it home only to have the gearbox completely freak out and the gearbox temperature warning message you had came on and it went into neutral. I was able to limp it back to the dealership and after parking it, they couldn't get it out of neutral. I left it with them three weeks ago and I haven't heard a word from them. Not a good sign. The senior technician suggested that it was a solenoid or valve in the gearbox. Based on the procedure he did on the car which resulted in the complete failure of the gearbox, I'd believe the problem has been found. It's kind of like going to the doctor with a stress fracture in your foot and the doctor putting pressure on your foot until it snaps and him saying, "yep, fractured foot." I know none of this helps but I'll post an update when I hear something. Hang in there!

 

But to be clear yours is a 2011 correct? I'm kinda marking these down on a spread sheet.

 

Nope. Mine is a 2010 with just over 9,000 miles on it.

 

Sorry for your DCT issue.

I’ve watched mechanics use the computer to run tests and cycle some of the internals.
Looks like he discovered the problem.
I bet the reason why the box was stuck in neutral, is to prevent you from driving the car and risking a safety issue and or further damaging the DCT.

 

Thanks. I agree that the procedure he used seemed to reveal where the problem is. I also agree with your thoughts on it shifting into neutral as a protective measure. I'll visit the dealership tomorrow and ask how it's going. I imagine they haven't contacted me because they might be waiting on the DCT parts. Fingers crossed it's not a complete replacement of the gearbox.

 

I know a little about this subject since I owned a Cali which had multiple DCT issues. I went through 5 boxes,
I actually became so fixated that I read about wiring harness failures and almost came up with a custom harness.

Interesting reading is the FAA publication about wiring and electrical wiring harness failures in commercial aircraft. Polyimide insulation which is ubiquitous in the computer industry is fraught with shorting and failure in aircraft and other application due to vibration, moisture and heat!

Also the FAA determined that the geometry of the wiring path around corners is very important and so is the way the wiring is secured and the nature of the immediate surroundings ie metal vs plastic vs wood or composite.

Of course, the harness was only one aspect. There are other components some of which were not replaceable but an integrated part of the DCT which if flawed could not be overcome by simply changing or replacing a wiring harness or sensor pack.

 

I think it’s based on how aggressive the software program from the manufacturer plus miles. I think I will always drive the Cali in Comfort mode & Auto, so maybe that will help my DCT last longer. I never bought it as a keeper (unlike Porsches). I bought it to wait out the GTC4 depreciation curve in 3 years, so knock on wood my DCT can last 3 years of gentle driving and 3,000 to 4,000 more miles. LOL, praying a modern $260,000 original cost car can make it to 12,000 miles.

This is an interesting article. Chris Harris had the same theory 5 years ago and I think we was right.

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/two-milestones-in-the-sls-30k-miles-and-irreparable-tr-1739049309

 

One more...

http://www.proctorcars.com/damage-dual-clutch-transmission-5-bad-habits/

 

The early 70s Ferrari GTC/4?

 

Josh,
I feel your pain. I’m going through the same issue with mine. If there is any glimmer of hope, and at the risk of jinxing myself, my dealership found a possible cause of the random faults. While testing the gearbox and focusing on the SAP (slippage actuator, something, something) I’m sure someone here knows the correct name, the technician noticed a badly corroded relay. I’m sorry I don’t know more but their plan was to swap the relay and then run the gearbox through it’s paces. I am supposed to hear an update today. If it cures my issue I will let you know.

 

See if you can get the car into boardwalk Ferrari, from what I understand they are one of the best concerning the DCT.

 

And if that fails I'll buy a bunch of tannerite and we can see how far we can make that car fly........... I'm just joking of course but sometimes a bit of humor helps.

 

Josh... This is brutal. What should be a dream purchase has turned into a nightmare. I hope they can sort this out & you can spend more time behind the wheel...T

 

I don't see what the problem the dealership is having in diagnosing your DCT. There is one temperature sensor unit that has three sensors built into it (Odd clutch temp, even clutch temp and hydraulic block temp). It is pretty obvious that the even clutch temperature sensor portion is malfunctioning and sending even clutch overheat information to the DCT ECU. The ECU then goes into protection mode which causes the transmission not to shift into the even gears or reverse. All that needs replacement is the one DCT temperature sensor.
No valve cleaning procedure will fix a temperature sensor that is sending incorrect information to the ECU. Did they look at the fault codes and not see codes related to even clutch overheating?

 

Someone needs to buy this guy a really stiff drink.......

 

Nah, we need to all chip in and get him a high quality hooker. Tell him her name is Ferrari....

 

Ferrari?!? How about Lexus? Safe, reliable and boring. That's what I'd be looking for after a wild fling like this with a crazy Italian mistress.
Hi Josh - I hope Steve and the great techs @ BF can sort you out, or put you on the path towards more driving/less diagnosis.
T

 

The temperature sensor is probably a $20 part if you could purchase it from the supplier that sells it to Getrag. It is maddening that you cannot buy individual parts for this transmission. At some point the aftermarket is going to catch up with the demand for DCT parts and repairs, and someone will start fixing and rebuilding these DTC transmissions outside of the dealership network. It is not rocket science

 

Yep, cost $10,000 to get the head gasket replaced on my Lamborghini Diablo Rosdster last year.

 

On a California, the entire rear sub-frame with all the suspension/brakes attached comes out in order to get the gearbox out. There is a special jack that supports the entire assembly in order to lower it from the car. Then you lift the gearbox out of the sub-frame. Lots of exhaust, hoses, pipes, parking brake system, harnesses to disconnect. It is a day to get it in and a day to get it out. Not counting the time to repair the gearbox.
The repair kits are also very expensive, as they include many parts that are not needed for the repair.