I have a 156 selespeed Alfa 2000. I had a problem with the gearbox 2 month ago and the alfa dealer suggested that the problem is the selespeed Actuator. Fitted new one at a cost of $3000 and 2 month later I am having difficulties selecting gears from neutral especially the reverse gear. Once the gear is selected after few attempts, the car drives well. The Alfa dealer is saying that the problem is the clutch and this would require dismantling the gear box, changing the clutch and putting the gear box back and possibly costing another $3000.. Any suggestions where to go from here??

It may have a problem in the electronics that shift the transmission, have a fault code test run on the Transmission control module (TCM)

check your selespeed oil level .

Syncro problem?

Had the same sort of problem with friend's 159 2.4 JTD two weeks ago, was towed to the dealers who fitted a new battery for a lot of money. (said the battery was stuffed) Same thing when his wife was shopping last Sat. Jumped started it and took it home, once started being a diesel it drove until switched off. Wouldn't start or even turn over,checked everything over 2 days, I'm a aircraft mech and he's an electrician. Sunday afternoon I said, Back to basics test for power to the starter solonoid - none,
He said, So the solonoid is stuffed,
I said, Test for earth at the starter,
He said, But the starter earths thru the motor.
I connected a jumper lead from the negative battery terminal onto a bolt on the motor, the motor started and ran straight away. Faulty earth strap. Apoligies from the dealer.
Moral of this story - I've owned 3 and currently own 2 Alfa's and all of them at some stage have had an earth problem.
Hook a direct earth from the battery to the engine.
Maybe this can help Howie.

would be the selenia automatic transmision fluid but if not any automatic gearbox oil will do mate

CHECK THE BATTERY FIRST IF IT IS DAMAGED. IF NOT VIST A WORK SHOP TO CHECK THE FUSES. I SOLVED THAT PROBLEM FOR SAVARAL MONTHS TILL NOW THAT THE SAME LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME

hi have a 2000 2l 156 selespeed problem with gearbox is light comes on dash and gears won't select have replaced the gearbox pump at great expense but has now stopped working again can any one advise if this could be other issue

hi have you checked your selespeed fluid ? as this can cause this regards bob

Try this
http://homepage.mac.com/paul_denyer/selespeed/index.html

hi, it sounds like either your clutch needs replacing or the problem could just be that the gearbox needs oil this is best checking as the gearbox can sieze then this will be expensive to replace.
What you need to do is take it into garage and they will remove a plug on the gearbox with special tool then this tells them if the oil is low as some oil should come out of this lug if not then they will top this up for you hopefully solving your problem,
Having no oil in the gearbox could strip the gears and if its got to bad then these will need replacing but this is in the most severe of cases so hopefully your problem is just that the oil needs filling up so get this done and this will hopefully solve your problem.
If you have any problem then give me a shout or if you have any questions then give me a shout then ill be glad to assist you further.