Alfa 156 - Help needed..

166man

Gonna have to hold my hands up and admit that the Alfa 156 has been having problems recently. About 4 weeks ago the engine mgmt light came on with the diagnostic computer saying that it was the potentiometer at fault. We rang around and the part new from Alfa was €700!!:eek:

Finally managed to source a part from partworld in Killkenny for just €40 and it fitted no problem and the car was running well again. Thing is the light has just come back on again...:(

According to the computer it's the same part at fault once again. I just don't know what to do, any idea's to those of you who are mechanically minded?

I just can't have this problem not knowing if the car is going to go into limp mode each time the car is driven. Such a pity as it's been brilliant for us the last 10 years.

Thanks anyone who can help, it's much appreciated.

I'd try and source another one for similarly small money and hope for the best. Did the part last long miles wise?

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

I'd try and source another one for similarly small money and hope for the best. Did the part last long miles wise?

That was the first idea, the part was second-hand and didn't really last long tbh. However we couldn't keep going through them every few months that's impractical and expensive as they have to be fitted. The mechanic said the catalytic converter(?) is also on it's way out, could the issues be linked?

I just haven't a clue but we would put circa €300 to fix it properly but couldn't justify any more as the car is worth about €900 as is.

The reply is appreciated thanks.

I'd imagine a decent 2nd hand part should last years, quite likely you were just unlucky with the one you got last time. €40 seems very cheap for one. Dunno would it be linked to the CAT tbh, shouldn't be excess unburnt fuel getting through but I might be wrong.

Is it an emissions test that has him reckoning the cat's days are numbered. Cat failure isn't overly uncommon as the years rack up on cars.

Ardennes1944

for those like me who have no idea what a potentiometer is....electro/mechanical device, used to measure the distance your pedal moves, by using resistance related readings, then send the info to cars ecu which then reacts accordingly.

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

I'd imagine a decent 2nd hand part should last years, quite likely you were just unlucky with the one you got last time. €40 seems very cheap for one. Dunno would it be linked to the CAT tbh, shouldn't be excess unburnt fuel getting through but I might be wrong.

Is it an emissions test that has him reckoning the cat's days are numbered. Cat failure isn't overly uncommon as the years rack up on cars.

I didn't speak to the mechanic myself so not sure what he reckons is wrong with the CAT. When this problem surfaced last time I rang Gerry in TI Autos and got his opinion. He was very surprised to hear that the potentiometer had failed which led me to believe there was something else at fault causing this.

I'm just unsure to pump more money into it at this stage.

Wouldn't be anything to look for as a cause of Pot failure tbh, electrical box of tricks, bathtub curve etc etc imo. Can be a bit difficult to ascertain when enough is enough with older cars given how the market is, I can relate to that.

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

Wouldn't be anything to look for as a cause of Pot failure tbh, electrical box of tricks, bathtub curve etc etc imo. Can be a bit difficult to ascertain when enough is enough with older cars given how the market is, I can relate to that.

I could chance another €100 for another second-hand part or spend decent money and try fix it once and for all. However if the light comes on again then it's a total waste.

Any idea what Gerry would charge if I brought the car up to him for him to have a look at it, or is that more a ''how long is a piece of string'' question?

166man

166man wrote: »

.............

Any idea what Gerry would charge if I brought the car up to him for him to have a look at it, or is that more a ''how long is a piece of string'' question?

Not a clue, never heard of him aside from threads on here.
Given the diagnosis is actually a diagnosis and the problem was sorted for a while it might well be two failed pots. It certainly appears that way.

Stheno's mechanic is also an good man with alfa cars from what I can gather

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

Not a clue, never heard of him aside from threads on here.
Given the diagnosis is actually a diagnosis and the problem was sorted for a while it might well be two failed pots. It certainly appears that way.

Stheno's mechanic is also an good man with alfa cars from what I can gather

Excuse the lack of knowledge, two failed pots?

Our mechanic has worked on that car since it was new 10 years ago and worked on the 166. He isn't an Alfa specialist just a very good indy. I think I might ring TI Autos see what they reckon...

Pot is short for potentiometer

tommyombomb

My brother had a 156. Put more money than it was worth Into it when the power used to die on it.

Eventually parted with it. Not sure if similar. Don't get sucked into spending a fortune even though them cars are class

ARGINITE

Have you tried doing the throttle reset procedure?

Only works for 156's with fly-by-wire throttle not a standard throttle cable found on the earliest 156s, but since you have changed the throttle potentiometer it should have the fly-by-wire system.

Anan1

166man wrote: »

Any idea what Gerry would charge if I brought the car up to him for him to have a look at it, or is that more a ''how long is a piece of string'' question?

I'd say little enough for a look - i've always found him an absolute gentleman. I'd give him a call and describe the issue to him, see what he says.

bohsfan

Have you tried asking on Alfa Owner? The community there has plenty of knowledge that might help you out

http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/republic-of-ireland/

GavMan

Has Gerry had a look over it? If not, best to do that. You'll have piece of mind rather than faffing about with 2nd hand bits and bobs.

bladespin

Is it just the light that's on again or is the car giving problems?

166man

Thanks fella's I reckon a call to TI Autos is the next step tbh and maybe bring it up to him for a look. Just couldn't justify spending a fortune on a car worth so little these days.

The car itself is having problems like very little power once this light is on.

Any other ideas suggestions folks?

Ferris

We had a throttle body sensor go on ours that gave similar symptoms. The engine mangt. light would come on and the car would lose power - but not go into limp mode. A mechanic ran a diagnostic to confirm the problem.

The sensor is integral to the throttle body so you need the whole lot which is extremly expensive from alfa, i think we got a 2nd hand part. The car was under a garage warranty so I am a little vague on the details of what was done.

166man

Quick update here,

So as always with an Alfa there's good and bad news. the good news being that the engine management light has gone off after a switch being loose was found. Happy days.

However mechanic reckons the car needs a service and the spark plugs need to be replaced. anyone estimate a cost for these, we got a quote of €200 ex VAT.

166man

166man wrote: »

Q............ the spark plugs need to be replaced. anyone estimate a cost for these, we got a quote of €200 ex VAT.

€10 including VAT and €20 inc VAT each from Micksgarage.ie for Beru ones... (€120 in total so)

http://www.micksgarage.com/service-parts/spark-plugs/alfa-romeo/156/156/1997-2005/1.6-16v-t.spark/8808/

Bosch ones cheaper again...

http://www.micksgarage.com/service-parts/spark-plugs/alfa-romeo/156/156/1997-2005/1.6-16v-t.spark/8808/



Fitting them would be a nice way for you to spend an hour

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

€10 including VAT and €20 inc VAT each from Micksgarage.ie for Beru ones... (€120 in total so)

http://www.micksgarage.com/service-parts/spark-plugs/alfa-romeo/156/156/1997-2005/1.6-16v-t.spark/8808/

Bosch ones cheaper again...

http://www.micksgarage.com/service-parts/spark-plugs/alfa-romeo/156/156/1997-2005/1.6-16v-t.spark/8808/



Fitting them would be a nice way for you to spend an hour

Thanks for that, as someone who doesn't even know how to change the cd in the CD player, would it be easy to fit them?

edit: Is there a difference between the spark plugs or would the Bosch ones be ok?

'twould be grand once you had a suitable plug socket and a few other basic tools, allen key for the engine cover and other bolts and a flat headed screwdriver. Just need to be careful to not crossthread the new ones going in or to overtighten them.

If you don't fancy doing it it mightn't be a nice hour though, minimal savings too really so might be as handy to get it done especially if you're getting an oil change anyway.

166man

166man wrote: »

............

edit: Is there a difference between the spark plugs or would the Bosch ones be ok?

Just saw your edit there, I was surprised at the price difference between the bosch and the beru tbh, the beru are hardly platinum yokes like the NGKs.

Bosch ones are claimed to last 40k kms I think the site said so I wouldn't have any issue using them. I only ever had bad experience with some no name plug a local factors gave me a set of once. Sold plenty of cheap branded ones many moons ago and never had a complaint.

The NGKs seem looney money, €70/plug !!!

166man

RoverJames wrote: »

'twould be grand once you had a suitable plug socket and a few other basic tools, allen key for the engine cover and other bolts and a flat headed screwdriver. Just need to be careful to not crossthread the new ones going in or to overtighten them.

If you don't fancy doing it it mightn't be a nice hour though, minimal savings too really so might be as handy to get it done especially if you're getting an oil change anyway.

Sounds a bit much for me to be honest. Think they're might be a few other jobs to do too. Something to do with the rear wishbones and the suspension can't remember what.

Thanks for the help.

king_of_inismac

Get all your Alfa spares from here:

Www.eb-spares.co.uk

They are cheap and good quality. Do the servicing yourself. It's fairly easy on the 156.

Ps the wishbones from the site listed above are so much cheaper talhan genuine. I used them on my 156. Good quality and saved a packet

Mr Benevolent

Never trust the EML on a 156. It lies all the time.

Ferris

Confab wrote: »

Never trust the EML on a 156. It lies all the time.

Yep ours informs you that its freezing outside everytime you open the passenger door