Hey Guys, I have a 99 355 Spider F1 the issue only happens when the car is starting from a complete stop. The transmission pops out of first gear into Neutral, so I have to hold the paddle get the car moving and then it shifts up. So when this happens the steps to get the car moving is 1 - depress brake pedal 2 - shift the car into first gear 3 - hold the paddle and get the car moving 4 - shift up as speed increases This does'nt happen all the time and only happens sometimes, has anyone ever experienced this before. I feel like a sensor is not working properly, if anyone can shine some light on this I would appreciate this. The normal should be - depress brake pedal, shift the car into first gear, gas and go Thanks!
FYI: If you don't have your foot on the brake (and are not moving), the system will go into N and beep.... Might not be the issue but some don't realize this..
If you sit (at a stop) for too long, while in a gear, the F1 system will default to neutral. Some of these quicks (features?) can be found in the somewhat cryptic OM or WSM descriptions..
So the brake pedal is depressed, I put the car into gear and it constantly pops into Neutral when it should stay in 1st gear. So the way it has to be driven when it pops out of first gear into neutral is to hold the right paddle down so it stays in gear.
Then you have an F1 fault. It's trying to protect itself...Time to get a proper diagnosis versus Internet guessing.
I seem to recall reading the same symptoms here before - do a search and you may find your answer. That's what a forum is for - people posting issues and getting help. Also - Canada is a big place - you may want to be a bit more specific as someone close to you may offer some help.
I think the transmission is identical to the manual. So if this were happening in the manual, I think you check the linkage and transmission mounts. So I would start there. I don't think it's likely to be a problem with the F1 system itself.
Hi J Yes, now that reminds me of the actuator getting obstructed when the motor mounts start to fail and the engine/gear box sags. Good tip - J
That or it thinks the hood or door are open or can't detect that the brake is pressed so pops back in neutral per the above wsm excerpt.
as long as the car is in motion it stays in gear, it only "pops " out of gear into neutral when the car is at a stop getting into motion.
That doesn't answer my question. What I am asking is if you are at a stop and you try to start going in 2nd instead of 1st, (from a dead stop) does it pop out of 2nd and drop to N? The answer is either yes it does, or no it doesn't. So, which is it? The point being that if it does it in 2nd as well it would seem like something associated with the F1 control. If not it would seem to be associated with trans/linkage. Just trying to eliminate/isolate things here.
My first suggestion would be to get the car in the air and have a look at the linkage / motor / gear box mounts and be sure nothing is obstructing the mechanics. Next, per what Pete suggested, I'd have a look at the driver's side door switch and the engine bay switch. If either of those contacts are having issues, both will throw the system in N Of course, JohnK's suggestion is very easy to try with no real work. My suggestions are also very easy. Rule out these basics first before you diver deeper. You might find some low hanging fruit. EDIT: Reviewing the WSM: The door switch will affect the gear selection if the brake or accelerator is not pressed while gear engaged and door open. The bonnet switch will effect it if stationary regardless of brake or accelerator positions so you might wish to have a look at it.
Lots of good advice here. Check the wires to the front & rear deck lid. Make sure they are properly connected and without corrosion. Check the actuator shaft that goes into the gearbox om the left hand side of the transmission. As the engine mounts age, the engine settles and the bolt on the actuator shaft / input shaft can hit the cross member preventing it from engaging. Historically people with that issue found it was a problem selecting 1st gear.
Hummm Obviously that's not correct. With the engine running you should be able to select: 1, 2 & R. With the engine off and the key in position II you should be able to select all gears. There is a basic reset procedure that I use. If you shut the car off while it is still moving, the F1 system has a fit. Try this: Hold foot brake with car in neutral and move the key to position II (do not start it) and wait until the pump is fully primed and stops running With foot still on the brake, shut the car off and wait 10 - 15 seconds until all the lights are off and the beeping stops. With foot still on the brake, start the car, let it idle for a little while (30 seconds or so). With foot still on the brake, shut it off until lights are off and beeps have stopped. With foot still on the brake start the car again and see if you get 1st gear. The theory here is to reset the sensors and location of the gears. In essence it is the PIS reset as referenced in the WSM. Sometimes it works...sometimes it doesn't.
Thank you for all the advice guys, I'm going to try out everything over the next few days and try to get everything sorted!
Any ideas what new motor mounts run on a 355. I assume you don't have to drop the engine to do these?
The pn's are different, so not so sure on that. Same with the 360 mounts, different pn but from what I could tell the challenge mounts had more rubber. Of course, my car was an earlier car bit there is no distinction pn wise early to late, unlike with the challenge units.
