2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster with Sportshift
OBD II reader live data on the Magneti Marelli TCU has: (1) Self-tuned clutch closed position: 1821; (2) Self-tuned clutch closed position - kiss point delta: 615. The values do not change if the engine is off, at idle with the engine in neutral, or at idle with the engine in first gear. The car is showing no clutch wear symptoms. It was my understanding that learned clutch kiss point ranged from approximately 0 (on a new clutch) to 600 (on a worn clutch). Is that so? If it is, then I assume it's time for the dreaded clutch replacement before the TCU decides enough is enough and shuts down shifting and strands the car and me. Not a bad time to replace the clutch anyway with the Velocity AP lightened flywheel and dual-plate clutch. I was just hoping - not yet!

 

what obd2 reader are you using? your comments are generally what I was told by my dealer before I changed my clutch...

my clutch read about 1300, based on new of about 1900... they said it was time... differential of about 600

 

Foxwell NT510 Elite with the Aston Martin OBD II codes.

 

ok thanks...i have this one also... did you pull the codes from the engine plug under steering wheel or the Body plug under glovebox?

 

Engine/Transmission plug under the steering wheel. Ignition fully on. Cycle through Aston Martin startup menus; <Control Modules>; then <Marelli transmission control module>; then <Live Data>; then select both "Self-tuned clutch closed position" and "Self-tuned clutch closed position - kiss point delta"; then OK(F3). A great example of having data, but not quite understanding what the data mean!

 

Your readings are probably correct for getting close to the end of life. What mileage are you at? Bit count is the closer estimate of wear. New clutch will be in the lower teens, over 1800 and you maybe rolling the dice. How is the higher RPM 1-2 shift? If its lagging and dropping RPM's with a soft shift it's time for a change.

 

Do you know if this can be used to bleed Sport Shift 1 fluid?

 

I haven't tried it but there is a special action tab for clutch bleed in the <Marelli Transmission Control Unit> page.

 

Does anyone know if that actually works? Would be awesome if it does. I’d much rather do this myself than bring the car to the dealer.

 

Can you reset the kiss point when replacing the clutch. I would put in a dual plate clutch if I did not have to have the clutch kiss point reset by a dealer as there are non in my area. I have a lift and many aston factory tools but do not have that capability.

 

i asked VAP about this. they responded that when this value reaches 1800 the clutch is at or near end of life
Self-tuned clutch closed position
it seems a new clutch will have a value between 1200 and 1300 bits. the clutch release bearing stroke is fixed and somewhere in the 6xx bits range.
my understanding from VAP is new clutch starting value (12xx) plus release bearing stroke (6xx) = clutch end of life value.
there is an absolute limit of 2000, but the clutch will be dragging by the end of life value above