Ferrari California gearbox failure

is this the same DCT as the Cali T?

 

Mine which is a 2010 never changed gears randomly what happened sometimes when driving in auto at low speed I felt a bump when the gearbox changed from 2nd to 3rd. Under the extended warranty they diagnosed a problem with the gearbox mainshaft sensor and the transmission was removed, open and the sensor substituted. Since repaired everything has been perfect and now when driving the gear changes in auto or manual feel more precise than ever before.
Removing the transmission from the Cali is quite a job because the rear axle has to be removed. Below I post some pictures of how its done.
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To funny
My Cali Nero also
They have told me its the speed sensor.
So i explained i have been researching and that part is in the transmission / gearbox.
I told them this means it needs to be opened up and was pissed off, as they made it sound like a easy job, but had to wait for the part, that was the biggest issue.
I got the ****s at the service manager, and then he asked me to wait. The General Manager of FMS got on the phone, he sold me the car and is a friend.
I told him i was pissed as purchased a Cali
First Ferrari
Hand picked by him
And day i picked it up problems
I wanted new transmission
He explained this was not a issue and fine to replace the speed sensor.
He would guarantee the gearbox for 5 years
He knows i will not drive the car that much i feel or keep it that long. So i said as long as he puts it in writing, i am fine.
He also extended my warranty from 24 months by another 12 months.
So his backing the job and car
Just upsetting on the situation


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Thanks Guys for the help


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Sorry about your disappointing experiences.

About the problem itself, you said "In Auto, changing gears randomly ". Can you add some more details to that description? For instance, when you start off in 1st gear AUTO, at what point does the car start to change gears randomly? When it goes to 2nd and then back to 1st for no reason or does it do it later? Details matter.

Does the car change gears properly when you drive in MANUAL mode?

Keep us posted and I hope your car gets repaired soon, at least it's still fairly early in the driving season in Oz.

 

If the transmission speed sensor substitution is done by Ferrari qualified mechanics with the certificate nr.3 the afterwards the gearbox should be like new. No need to put a new transmission, they did that until 2011 when Getrag (the gear box maker) didn't allow anyone to open the transmission. Things have changed and nowadays there are Ferrari dealers like mine which have the qualification to do this kind of repairs.

 

Do you have an established relationship with the Dealership? ( IE: Did you purchase the car from them? Do you Service your car with them? Do you attend Dealership events? )

Were you provided an itemized estimate?

If you are an established client, there should be some level of assistance available to you.

If you purchased the car 2nd hand, never service your car with them, and generally are a stranger to them, you may not.

PM me your VIN, I am happy to ask behind the scenes to get more technical information if possible.

There's more to this story IMO, happy to help though.

3 year warranty

7 year free annual service... < wink >

An owner may purchase warranty extensions up to the 12th year, which could have covered this level of failure, no deductible, there is some owner buy-in required to get major failures covered by Ferrari.

^^^^ Good Advise

Only those Dealerships that have invested in the special equipment and training to do so.
You are in luck, my team is one of those that can! Let's just hope that you never need us to.

Yes, with some programming updates and updated part numbers inside the box.

^^^^ This


S

 

Hi Mate
In Manual mode - all good

In Auto, when cold and not overheating all good.

I was stuck in traffic, so allot of stop and start.

When i was in traffic it would take off and die in power firstly

When driving in open air the car would change gears 1st to 6th down to 2nd then 7th
Then 1st etc etc

This all started but when i touched the Cruise control on/off and the secondary on/off i turned the nobs

A messages came up on the Dash

Operation non administrable – and chime sound




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When I first started having problems with my Cali's DCT the only message that came up was "Operation not admissible" like you indicated. Never came up the gearbox failure light.

The sensor to substitute the faulty one probably has to come from Ferrari parts in Maranello because that's what happened in my case and very few dealers keep this sensors in stock. As I mentioned before there is a lot of work involved in removing and putting back the transmission. The rear bumper and the diffuser have to come out, a part of the exhaust as well, all the car bottom panels have to be removed and the rear axle together with the suspensions. Opening the gearbox isn't so difficult but sealing and closing it is a very specialized job.

Once the sensor arrives things should be relatively fast. In my Cali's case they put a team of two qualified mechanics doing the job and it took them one complete week to remove the transmission, repair and put everything back into place.

 

Thanks guys
Really appreciate all the help and advise

FMS advised me yesterday parts arrived earlier than anticipated as they arranged alternative transport from Italy.
They advised i could pick it up by Saturday, but i advised them, i would like them to take there time and rather them check all again once finished, so they have agreed to give it back to me next week some time.

They have also put it in writing that entire car will have ferrari power warranty for three years in total, (i paid for the first year originally with the purchase, they are extended it due to my concerns) i need to renew it every year, however its included in my purchase. I can not complain as they are backing the work to transmission and obviously the car it self.

Once i get it i will post some pics of my first Ferrari being Cali

I am feeling excited again and can not wait to pick it up.

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Nice to ear that everything is on track and you'll get your Cali soon. Once that happens you'll find out by yourself how great and versatile the Cali is and on the ego side is a Ferrari and in terms of power and acceleration out performs most of the cars you'll find on the road.

 

Thanks Mario
Your pics really opened my eyes to what needed to be completed and enabled me ask the correct questions to FMS
My sincere thank you
If your every heading to Sydney drop me msg and lunch or dinner on me
Cheers
Sam


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Great to see it working out, and your dealer stepping up...T

 

Glad it's working out, too.

I'm having a little trouble understanding how the gearbox could be failing in automatic mode but not manual mode, though. It would seem to me that the gearbox receives a signal from the paddle to change gears in manual mode, and if that is working correctly it would not seem to be a problem with the gearbox itself, but something to do with the computer that is controlling the shift signals in automatic mode. I would be surprised if that component was actually inside the gearbox itself, but I guess nothing is surprising on a Ferrari.

I never drive my car in automatic, I used it once briefly in heavy traffic on the interstate and it was shifting way too fast into higher gears at slow speeds for me.

 

Sam,

Thank you for the invitation. I would love to go to Australia but from Europe it's a long way and we need around three weeks for this trip, to visit the country properly and afterwards travel to New Zealand as well. I've planed this trip several times with my wife but in the end everything resumed to not being able to go because of the time needed.

After you have your California drop a picture of her here so we can see the beauty.

Regards

 

Vic, mine when I started experiencing a bump in automatic during the passage from 2nd to 3rd gear also presented exactly the same problem when shifting in manual with the paddles from 2nd to 3rd. Because the problem was an intermittent malfunction of the gear-box main shaft sensor it occurred either in automatic or manual.

 

That does make, sense, Mario. Sam seems to be indicating that his trouble was only in automatic mode. Either way, hopefully it is working now.

 

Mario
I Picked her up at 9am
Omg awesome
She is all i expected and more
Finally get to experience Ferrari California
And first ferrari
I am stocked
Speed is what it is
The roar and buzz you get supersedes all my other cars
Mrch Amg
Porsche
Bmw Ms
I honestly understand the ferrari love
Thanks guys also for all the advise



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Mario here she is finally


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Sam,

Congratulations for having your Cali back I wish you enjoy her looks, performance and versatility as much as you can. From the picture I can see your Cali is nero like mine so I enclose a picture also by the see. This color looks great when is pristine but it's a lot of work to keep it that way. I do it by using a miraculous liquid.

Good luck.
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Sam... You've succinctly summed up the magic of Ferrari. Great to hear your Cali is doing well and your dealer has stood behind their product. I hope it's all miles and smiles for you from now on. Please keep us posted on how you get on.

You gents who live & drive near the ocean make me a wee bit jealous though! &#128521;

T

 

Sorry to go off-topic a little, is this the same transmission on 458? Seems like this is common issue on the F CA.


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The aspirated Calis DCT's are very similar to the ones of the 458 in mechanical terms. Because the 458 is a rear engine car and has more power than the early Calis I would imagine their DCT's will be adapted to this increased hp.

 

I think most Californias tend to amass more miles than the 458s do as they are such good daily drivers, so that may be a factor, as well.

 

Both the 458 and Cali/Cali30 use the same DCT, the Getrag 7DCL750.

Apparently, ALL current Fcars (Cali to LaF) use the same DCT according to MisterMaranello, a very credible Fchat member. The 7DCL750 is rated for 750Nm of torque (LaF's max 700Nm, F12 tdf 705Nm, Cali T 755Nm, 488 760Nm). So in fact, with the Cali/Cali30's lower max torque (485Nm, 505Nm), it means the Cali is the least demanding of the DCT of all the Fcars.

Also, judging from what I've read, many DCT failures (on more expensive Fcars) are not discussed on Fchat so it may also be that Cali owners simply talk about their DCT problems more than other Fcar owners.