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Active Aero System needs servicing

37K views 70 replies 35 participants last post by  CreedonS65 
#1 ·
Today I got a warning light: Active Aero Sysyem Needs Servicing. I stopped on the shoulder to take a look and it appears that the servos did not bring the splitter back up when I reduced speed. Was still like that when I got home.

I will post on whether or not it “resets” itself when I start her up later. If not, I’m going to have to be even more careful going into the driveway and over bumps and dips until I take her in for her first service (due late June).

Anyone else experienced this?
 
#4 ·
Funny Lockem! As it happens, there was a lightweight plastic trash bag stuck somewhere aft of it when I looked underneath. It was sort of around the same time that the problem occurred that I recall seeing the bag in the road and went over it. Seems unlikely though.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Awe Simey, you think something failed as a result of the road debris damage? Maybe something was cracked and got missed at the repair? Hopefully it's just sensor related and will clear at restart. Oh, it may voltage related as well. Make sure you have a fill charge on the battery. The spider top "capote" on my 360 can hang up due to heat soak even though the fluid and battery are in good shape. I noticed this again last week after a cruise downtown. Plenty of cooling time on the way home but the heat of traffic keeps giving it vapor lock. Worked fine on the third try. Second time worked OK too but I wanted to see if it could clear the light.
 
#6 ·
Yes!!! :D That bag may have been enough to throw the code.
 
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#13 ·
Lets face it, it's the software glitches that bug these cars, the mechanicals are strong. I'm figuring long term ownership should be interesting.
 
#15 ·
I don't think this is a software issue. I've had my car in twice for the same warning light and both times, according to my dealer, was debris in the splitter. Small stones, sand, dirt, gravel (don't ask), etc. all played a part.
 
#16 ·
Can MultiEcuScan lower the splitter? For my Q4 it has many actuator test operations available.

It sounds like there should be a menu item in the infotainment to lower the splitter though, particularly if this needs to be done regularly for cleaning.
 
#19 ·
Just FYI I've had my Quadfog for about 2 months, I have approx 4,500 miles from new (yes I drive a lot) and I get this "Active Aero Warning" probably 50% of the time I go above 70mph.

Alfa customer service said a software update should fix the issue, I have a feeling the situation happens when you speed up or slow down through the speed range that would deploy the splitter. eg. hit 71mph have the splitter start to deploy and then decelerate below 71 before the system is finished. That's how it seems to me because I notice I get the error and a stuck splitter until restart when I am moving up and down from 60-80 mph.

AMG Hunter
 
#20 ·
I wonder if my dealer knows about this update. They're blaming my problem on the fact I scrapped the front corner/spoiler of the car on a steep driveway and perhaps knocked something out on the actuator.

There is no rhyme nor reason when my warning comes on, or if the spoiler remains up or down.
 
#21 ·
I'll take a look at MultiECUScan.
 
#22 ·
Mine has been acting up, with some debris found a couple times. Now I don't see any debris so just thinking it needs a little lubing.

Dealer says, it has been hit and needs replacing. I scraped a parking curb once and there are some marks on front from debris. Naturally, I called BS.

I will pull it down myself and fix it.
 
#24 ·
My dealer told me the same thing.

I tried shimming but that didn't work and can't think of anything else to do. I'll be interested and hoping you find a solution. My error comes on so seldom though I don't think much about it anymore.
 
#25 ·
One thing is a certainty with these low sitting cars. That active aero will be curbed. Mine has a couple times but not with much velocity. Low speed scrape pulling into my neighborhood with a dip. It did scrape the CF but not dented. I have seen you tube videos of the C& D reviews at the 5000 mile test with scrapes all over the place. Can you post a pic of what it looks like on the bottom when you pull it up?

Also, did this happen directly after any scraping or scraping happened at another point in time and no warnings until now. If that is the case then I think it is BS. If the warning occurred directly after impact with something minor than I would do as you are doing and either try a different dealer, have them show you while it is on the lift why they think it needs to be replaced. If so is it a warranty part?
 
#26 ·
I get the same error message so often that I do not even pay attention to it anymore. The local dealer could not find anything wrong. In any case once I turn the car off and turn it back on, it goes back into position and the code clears as if nothing happen. Now I just shrug as one of those thing.
 
#28 ·
I tapped my front passenger side splitter very slightly last winter on a curb concealed by snow. Just a very tiny chip taken out off the ppf and a slight pinch of the bumper seam along that headlight as a result. No errors or lack of function. I would try and lube it yourself and repair. If plastic is involved you can try and weld it or use wire to lash it together. Not a problem if it's concealed.
 
#29 ·
I have no doubt that my curb scrapes could have contributed to the problem. The technician even showed me a very slight variation in height in the active aero from side to side he said was probably due to the scrapes. Really couldn't argue with him...

I had a few errors before my first scrape when they found rocks, sand, etc. in the cavity. I think the sensor is just too sensitive and with no way to adjust the sensitivity we're stuck with it.

Hasn't slowed me down though...
 
#30 ·
I was just out hitting low triple digits in race mode... switched back down to D mode, and the service aero came one. Shut it off and drove a few more miles in "D" mode the code Cleared. Then back in Race Mode, nothing until...... I went back down to "D" mode... I guess just don't put the dang thing in "D" mode.

But it clears when I cut the car off and restart the engine. I just assume it is Alfa being Alfa, I have been living with 3 scary cars by Ferrari the past few years, so code don't spook me like they use too. If you can live through a Ferrari getting weird, how bad can a new car with warranty be.... I know it is Italian .. could be bad. But if they can fix what is wrong , then fine, if not , I just sell the car and start again with something else to break down.

I have to have the oil changed at the dealer at 5,000 miles so will have them see. I have about 4500 miles today.
 
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#32 ·
Although we cannot provide any technical feedback as to why this is occurring, if you end up going into the dealer, let us know. We're available via direct message and would be happy to help with that process.

Jasmine
Alfa Romeo Social Care Specialist
 
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#35 ·
Hi everyone:

I promised an update... Alfa Romeo of Austin (Nyle Maxwell) serviced my active aero last Friday and replaced both actuators. Since then, I can think of at least 3 times I exceeded 70mph and haven't had any warnings occur.
The problem was intermittent, so I'll be watching for this over the next few weeks. For now, it looks like the problem may have been successfully addressed.

-Terence

P.S. If anyone has an idea on how I can tell that it's actually lowering at speed, please let me know. It occurs to me that I've only seen the splitter lowered because it malfunctioned. For all I know, the splitter could now be stuck in the "UP" position and I would never know!
 
#36 ·
Have a friend or family member watch it on the highway.
 
#39 ·
New member, new 2019 QV with 58 miles. Immediately got the error. Bought from Greensboro NC (very good deal), I live in Atlanta. Tech in Greensboro could find nothing wrong but it was repeatable. Taking to Jim Ellis in ATL for a fix. Dating a super model comes with baggage but its worth it.
 
#41 ·
Hello Gryphon,
We are happy to hear your concern was fixed with the assistance of your dealer. Please do not hesitate reaching out to our team if you have any questions or concerns in the future. We're always happy to assist.
Laura
AlfaRomeoCares
 
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#42 ·
I've had this error pop up recently on my 2018 QV. As others described the splitter goes back up after a restart. It seems like the error pops up in race mode and I'm manual shifting rapidly. Twice this happened and twice under the same circumstances. It doesn't really bother me since it goes back up after a reset.
 
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