When I bought my 2005 DB9 back in November 2013 I was enthusiastic. My intentions are to use it as my daily driver (to get the full pleasure of a car you need to drive it). I have some mechanic skills, and as an engineer I looked forward to doing some of the fixes and service myself (it’s British after all, it’s gonna break).
There is so little published “How To” information for the DB9. Just finding a copy of the official service manual took months (no Chilton’s guides for a DB9 I guess). If you want to change an engine on a Honda Civic, YouTube has 10 video’s covering every step, but you can’t find a single DB9 video on something as simple as an oil change (which I’ve learned isn’t that simple – and now I’ve made one!). The best resources I have found to offer some limited help are 6SpeedOnline and PistonHeads . I wanted to add my voice to those discussions, but in a more verbose and complete format (video commentary along with photos and links).
The mission of this Blog is to chronicle what I learn so that others can benefit from it.
I am a car guy and a bit of a nerd, so I am blending those skills to produce this Blog. With some help from my neighbor Rob, a GoPro camera, YouTube and WordPress, I hope to make something you can enjoy. [And some graphics help from my friend Ray – Thanks Ray!]
Thanks for reading!
Steve
[Why Aston 1936 and not Aston 2005? It’s DB9 number 1936 and that’s what all the factory workers signed to all the Q/A stickers on the parts]
Aston 1936 
It was hand washed with regular hose/pressure — but they used an air compressor to dry it which may have been the cause?
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Hi Greg. Well, I would hope not. I actually use a pressure washer at home myself for the last 5 years with the car, and when I cover the rear lights I just do it from a distance rinsing them, not a pressure blast up close. So far its been OK. I don’t think the compressed air drying would do it. I’m not entirely sure where the water gets in from, so I can’t give you any more hints than that. If you were in the US and still had one of the old replaced ones, I’d suggest sending me one for a dissection and a new article on the site showing everyone what I find. Sorry couldn’t be more help.
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https://cultivatedknowledge.com/science/the-25-most-beautiful-cars-of-the-21st-century/22/?amxt=yhdt_advan
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Dear Steve
Many thanks for all your effort to document and describe that all!
I’m the owner of the probably first available DB9 for clients from Aston Martin (AM00026). I bought this car in 2010 with just 12000 mls.
In the meantime it was sometimes very helpful to take a look to your homepage! Never seen better stories on this professional level regarding cases, logic and detail description!
Also for my DBS Volante was it very helpful!
Best regards from Switzerland (Zurich) and many thanks again!
Renato
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Hi Steve,
New subscriber to your site. Just got done watching your videos on your headliner sagging. Just wanted to know if your upholsterer used spray 3m adhesive or tape to hold up the material. I have a 2007 Aston Martin Vantage, and my headliner is sagging. Would like to fix myself. Thank you
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Hi Richard. I’m not sure what exact adhesive they used. It was a spray, not a tape. I would expect the 3M spray adhesive would be fine if it was designed to work for headliner material and interior fabrics. Good luck!
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Tire age? I have Michelin Pilot Sport tires on my car that have only 1,500k miles and look perfectly new– but they are now 6 years old. I read that the actor Paul Walker who died in that Porsche wreak — and they blamed 10 year old tires for the accident. What do all of you think about this subject?
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I don’t think it can be judged entirely by looks. When I got my DB9 it had the original tires on it from the factory (2004 date code) and it was 2013, so 9 years old. Mine looked a little cracked around the tread to sidewall areas. I took them onto the track for one track day (to use them up) and then replaced them the next day. They didn’t do very well on track, dry and non-grippy. So, somewhere between 5 and 10 years they go ‘off’. I suspect if you just drive the speed limits or less, they could go a few more years. If you make blasts considerably beyond the speed limit, I might consider replacing them. Good luck!
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Yes they are passed their use by date. The rubber hardens and probably if you look closely they may have minute cracks plus the grip is less and road noise is more. When I bought my db9 the tyres were 7 yrs old and just poking your finger nail in them you could tell how hard they had become.
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Hi.I’m new to site and I just wonder if anybody know where to fix tail light for DB9. Or where to get replacement board for it so I could do it myself.Eric
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Hi Eric. I’ve seen a few people try and fix the circuit board themselves, and given it a solid effort, but failed. Doesn’t mean you won’t be successful. I think there was discussion about it in the FaceBook Group “Aston Martin DB9” and it was Theron Smith doing the work. Had some photos, etc.
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Hey Steve…
Was going to help my Ferrari mechanic up to speed to do my 10 yr./10K mi. service.on my ’09 DB9. I looked at your “2yr. Collection” and found this:
Parts you will need for a 2 Year Service
But is not a hot link. Is there a page on your website that lists what I need to have on hand to do a full service?
Thanks!
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Hi David. Sorry about that, its a placeholder for a ‘to-do’ for me. I think I have it in draft somewhere, let me see if I can get it published in short order……
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Hi Steve I have a Db9 2006 and noticed that because I did not properly screw/close my gas cap the “emission system service required” message came on. I tried going through the T1/T2 method in your video to reset both this and the service light with no luck..any suggestions? The other thing I ran into is a clicking sound coming from my passenger side door when either I open that door or the driver side door. The sound doesn’t always come on.,thoughts
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Hi. I’ve heard the emissions warning will clear in a few drives. If not, the T1/T2 thing won’t clear it, you’ll need to use and OBDII reader (like the Foxwell NT520 I described in other articles). As for the clicking noise, try doing the Window Autodrop Calibration (see my article) for both doors. Can’t hurt to try. Good luck!
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Hi Steve I have a Db9 2006 and noticed that because I did not properly screw/close my gas cap the “emission system service required” message came on. I tried going through the T1/T2 method in your video to reset both this and the service light with no luck..any suggestions? The other thing I ran into is a clicking sound coming from my passenger side door when either I open that door or the driver side door. The sound doesn’t always come on.,thoughts
Vin
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How do I turn off the Time for service message on my 2014 DB9? Please email me riccifretz@gmail.com
Thanks!
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Hi Ricci. I’m not certain how to do it with dash buttons on the later models. I’ve heard there is a way. My preferred way now is to use the Foxwell ODBII reader, which allows you to reset the service indicator. I posted a video on how to do it. https://youtu.be/VPGFCGneTiA
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Hi Steve, enjoyed the video. I’ve done the same thing multiple times (usually lightly used Maseratis). One day upon sale it struck me how much I was wasting as well and so I thought about it for a week before filling my empty bay. I had restored older Corvettes for fun and noticed that I always made a tidy profit after (not that I did it for that reason) but in any case it made me aware that their depreciation costs flatten out quite early while they are still highly roadworthy with low maintenance (dirt cheap to fix a Chevy), and surprisingly insurance (unfortunately for Chevy few youngsters buy and crash their cars). So for this cycle if you go buy a 2006 Corvette (far better engine etc than the previous two generations) it looks quite nice, depreciation is $1K on the high side, and an order of magnitude lower insurance and maintenance (for your consideration). I am thoroughly enjoying mine, enough that I will do the same on the next cycle and pocket all the savings vis a vis my previous methodology.
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Hi Michael. I appreciate you sharing that – the later model Corvettes are pretty nice. I suspect with the new mid-engine one just out, all the front engine vettes will depreciate more quickly to whatever the market will bear now. For me, I was after the Aston out of passion, not brains. Stupid right? Anyways, glad you are enjoying yours and I’ll keep on fiddling…..
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“Emission System Service Required” light came on last weekend when I punched/floored my car and then went off about 5 mins later — should I be worried?
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Hi Greg. I don’t know from first hand experience, but others in Forums have reported that it was likely the O2 sensor tripped a warning, and it will clear itself in a week or so of driving. If it persists, investigate. If you have an OBDII reader (like I’ve written a lot about), then you can look at what code is tripped, and clear/reset.
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Hi Steve,
This happened to my car during a track day (with an AML factory driver at the wheel pushing it very hard).
The AML team present said it was due to a rich fuel mix from the very aggressive driving on the track and not an issue and it cleared itself. As you say it is worth investing in the OBDII reader though as you can check the cause and reset yourself.
Regards
Martin
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Yes, I’d agree. Rich fuel, and the codes will eventually clear. The OBDII will be good for lots of stuff. Have fun!
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I drove my car last night = all is good — warning light was no longer rearing its ugly head.
Thanks for the input.
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Hey, I just found your website and u tube channel. Great info! I’m debating the purchase of a 2009 DB9, do you have any knowledge about the later models as far as maintenance and unforeseen problems?
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Hi Maurits. Not first hand, but I expect the 09 is just highly ‘sorted out’ compared to the early models like mine. The cars are highly similar, most of the articles on my site apply. After 2012 the car changes a fair bit, but 2005 to 2012 are mostly the exact same car except for some interior styling updates.
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In confidence
Steve, I’m hoping to share some insights with you in confidence. I want to aid your mission to help DB9 owners with the daunting electrical and computer-based problems that have become a dark arts side of ownership. I bought a DB9 a few months ago and have experienced many of the worst issues. Intermittent, gremlins related to, dead dash, tracker, alarm, doors, RCM, body module+ more. My background is a confessed car enthusiast. My family has 3 generations of car nut corrupting my DNA, my mother was in electronics, my father engineering(worked on model “T” Fords). My career has been in diagnosing and design of complex electronic and computer systems. I’m 90% the way down the route of cost-effectively reengineering the Aston rear-led cluster problems and currently own 10 of these units. I have modified/repaired/upgraded (waterproofed) units on my DB9. I do believe there is an urgent need for an owner-friendly diagnosis service (the UK initially). I’m a busy individual with many calls on my time, I intend to ally with an independent AM service provider with integrity, that would be willing to provide workshop access, with the payback of being the sole provider (the UK reviewable at 5 years) reasonable accurate, and cost-effective service. I estimate It will take two years to cover the vast majority of electrical / computer-based faults for the BD9 but I plan to provide the time and expertise at no cost to the independent. I have already made some test equipment, and understand that more will be required. BTW I have invested in the Thinkdiag that you suggested, no time to try it yet but looking forward to that, probably over the winter months. If I can be of help by sharing with you my development of the service (for no cost) please do get in touch. If you are interested or can offer advice to aid this project, I would be grateful if you could get in touch. I own a management training business STL-training. co. uk if you wanted to check me out. Looking forward to communicating with you.
Howard Kember, hk@stl-training.co.uk.
Many thanks in anticipation, Howard.
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Hi I have a 2009 DB9 Volante for sale 28000 miles excellent condition all records if you’re interested give me a call 352 804 6923 Florida.
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Now my headliner is lose – I just called an upholstery shop and he said he’s have to replace the fabric — even when I explained it seems to be in perfect condition just needs to be re glued? Also, when you get new tires do you always get the wheels aligned again even if you think it’s not needed?
Thanks,
Greg
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Hi Greg,
The upholstery shop may just say this by default. I had to show my guy the condition of it before he agreed. They have to be careful to align all the holes when they reglue it, so its a bit fiddly.
I usually get the aligment done with each set of new tires (roughly 3-4 years). This is the optimal time for an alignment since the tires are ‘even’ and if you do it mid life, any misalignment wear will have already impacted the tires, and after a mid life alignment the tire may have to adapt to the change. Old habit I guess.
Good luck.
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Thanks Steve – ( I threw in the towel) my car’s at the dealer right now getting the annual service (been three years), new tires (Michelin PS 4S), fixing headliner ($1,100) etc. Probably be $5k +++ but I’m too busy right now to make take it a bunch of different places to get this all accomplished.
Selling my soul to the devil = Aston Martin of Beverly Hills/O’Gara Coach.
Take care,
Greg
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I meant headliner is loose/sagging. Not Lose (typo).
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Dear Steve. New reader. Thank you for this great site. I have a 2009 DB9 convertible. Just managed to successfully switch out the battery on the crystal key fob thanks to your instructions. I could not have done it without the instructions. The only thing I would add is to use magnifying (reader) glasses and tweezers to handle the ridiculously small screws. I need 2 replacement plastic buttons that fell out years ago when I dropped the key. Any idea where I could find these? Thanks again!
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Thanks so much for all the great content and videos, Steve. Your honesty, objectivity, and transparency are exceptionally refreshing and useful. As a new DB9 owner (2008), your site and YouTube channels have been getting a lot of attention, and will continue to be. Thanks for being a really great welcome to the community, I look forward to contributing.
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Hi Steve,
Excuse for my bad English. My DB9 won’t start and no display of dashboard lights.
I did the flush and renewing of the power steering system with Pentosin CHF 115. The car was standing for over a month and when I tried to start it said low battery. I trickle charged it with the Aston Martin Charger and after charging for a day I tried to start the engine to bleed the power steering. Nothing at all no dash lights and the red Pats light keeps blinking red.
It looks like that the Aston Martin Anti theft system keeps blocking everything. So maybe the code of the key is not recognized. I cannot find a solution to start the car. Everything seems dead for example the lights in the backrest of the front seats lights up but you cannot activate it by pushing the knob to recline the backrest. I have only one key, the other key is in my house in the south of Spain. For that reason I cannot use that key to try. I hope you can give me info were to look.
Greetings, Alex van der Flier The Netherlands
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I would measure the battery voltage with a volt meter and make sure the battery is fully charged. This should be done after the battery charger has been disconnected for a few hours to eliminate any surface charge. You should have around 12.8 volts. If not the battery maybe no good and need replacement. You can bring into most battery resellers and have it load tested previous to replacement to confirm. Assuming you have a good battery, I would disconnect the negative terminal for about 5 minutes and reconnect and see if that resets things. Report back once you have confirmed a good battery and we can go from there.
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Have you tried pushing the reset button behind the passenger seat on the battery cover. When I used the trickle charger it triggered this exact issue.
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there is no yellow resetknob on my DB9 from 4/2009
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