Auto-gearbox

[jearing]

Hi we have a carthago chic c line 2018 on a fiat with 2500 miles so far on the clock,the last two outings I have noticed that when the motorhome is cold it hesitates changing gear and when it does change up a gear it won't accelerate,this only last's for a couple of minutes, when it has warmed up all is ok,I have contacted the dealer and he said it is a common problem they know about it don't worry it's just a software update?? book it in and we will sort it.
Has anyone else had this problem I'm a bit worried as we are off to spain in january.

Joe

 

[pappajohn]

I would check with a base vehicle dealer to see if there's a factory recall first.
If there isn't you can then ask the MH dealer where they got their info from
Seems odd it's OK when the gearbox oil has warmed up but sluggish when cold.

 

[Lenny HB]

Our 2017 one was a bit sluggish and appeared to hold a too higher gear too long when it was new, improved a fair bit by 4000 miles, going quite well at 7000 & fine by the time we had done 10,000.

 

[gus-lopez]

Hi we have a carthago chic c line 2018 on a fiat with 2500 miles so far on the clock,the last two outings I have noticed that when the motorhome is cold it hesitates changing gear and when it does change up a gear it won't accelerate,this only last's for a couple of minutes, when it has warmed up all is ok,I have contacted the dealer and he said it is a common problem they know about it don't worry it's just a software update?? book it in and we will sort it.
Has anyone else had this problem I'm a bit worried as we are off to spain in january.

Joe

Yes someone else posted exactly the same as you & it was cured by the dealer software update . No idea who poated about it though ?

 

[SuperMike]

Rip, I say again rip out the gearbox and replace it with an Alison 1000. I know, I know, not very helpful.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Just smiffy]

Just to let you all know that have a fiat that my fiat 2.3 150bhp comformatic is driving nicely
now that it’s run in at 60,000mls ......

 

[Lazyboy]

We had a software update on ours and it made a big difference. Done by Camper UK at Lincoln.

 

[Podney]

I think I recall reading about numerous similar problems on here, and it seems that adding miles(and miles and miles) is the answer. But of course it shouldn’t be!

 

[ABZSteve]

Adding miles was what I was told when I reported "hunting" at 50 and 60mph whilst on cruise control. No problems found so told to put miles on it then if it continues, it will be looked at again. I have 2018 with 150bhp. Don't know where I am getting the miles fro, traded in the last one at 30 months old and under 9K mikes. Doubt I will be doing much more on the new one, oh well.

 

[Speve]

We just gone through 3000 miles with our 2.3 180 and the box is certainly getting better all the time it was a bit slow changing down whilst on long climbs but I just put my toe down a little and it changes, hadn’t heard of any updates though but having said that the Fiat camper app doesn’t work as it used to letting you know about recalls etc.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lazyboy]

According to Camper UK Fiat do not necessarily inform you/dealer that updates are available!
Best to ask the question direct to Fiat or your UK Fiat dealer.

 

[Jo662]

Just to let you all know that have a fiat that my fiat 2.3 150bhp comformatic is driving nicely
now that it’s run in at 60,000mls ......

Is it still on the original clutch and dual mass flywheel?

 

[Just smiffy]

Is it still on the original clutch and dual mass flywheel?

Yes, it’s a 2012 plate.....

Do you know something I don’t...?

 

[Dazzlin]

Not Fiat but, been eyeing up a really nice looking Mercedes automatic van, do you think it will need a software update?


1991 with 198,000km.........

 

[Garfields]

Rip, I say again rip out the gearbox and replace it with an Alison 1000. I know, I know, not very helpful.

All well and good but you try finding someone that can repair one if you do have an issue

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[funflair]

Not Fiat but, been eyeing up a really nice looking Mercedes automatic van, do you think it will need a software update?


1991 with 198,000km.........

I think a software update on that would be changing the curtains and carpets

Martin

 

[SuperMike]

All well and good but you try finding someone that can repair one if you do have an issue

Ours is now eight years old, had it since new, and it has never twitched. It’s not due a fluid change for another two years. My silly post was a bit of fun, but if we had any trouble then one of the RV maintenance business around the U.K. would hopefully be able to cope or how about ......

https://allisontransmission.com/sales-service-locator

Which shows the nearest authorised dealer to us (23 miles) as .....

MITCHELL POWER SYSTEMS
Mitchell House
Springfield Road
Hayes , England UB8 0LD

 

[Jo662]

Yes, it’s a 2012 plate.....

Do you know something I don’t...?

My comformatic needed a new clutch and dual mass flywheel at 40,000 miles.
No gears available came up on the dashboard and I could`nt carry on with my journey.
Plugging in a diagnostic pc could`nt diagnose the fault because it was mechanical,so the problem took a long time to pin point because I did`nt believe it would be the clutch after only 40,000 miles.
Glad to hear yours is still going strong so hopefully mine was a one off.

 

[Lenny HB]

My comformatic needed a new clutch and dual mass flywheel at 40,000 miles.
No gears available came up on the dashboard and I could`nt carry on with my journey.
Plugging in a diagnostic pc could`nt diagnose the fault because it was mechanical,so the problem took a long time to pin point because I did`nt believe it would be the clutch after only 40,000 miles.
Glad to hear yours is still going strong so hopefully mine was a one off.

Hope it was a one off I wouldn't expect replace a clutch & flywheel after only 40k or 4 years.

 

[Jo662]

Me neither,but if you google comformatics there are quiet a few that have reported clutch failures.
Also mine is a 3liter tag axle motorhome,so whether it’s the weight and bigger engine I don’t know.

Hope it was a one off I wouldn't expect replace a clutch & flywheel after only 40k or 4 years.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[SpeedyDux]

Me neither,but if you google comformatics there are quiet a few that have reported clutch failures.
Also mine is a 3liter tag axle motorhome,so whether it’s the weight and bigger engine I don’t know.

It might be the weight and bigger engine. I can't link to an official source but I did read elsewhere that the Comfortmatic box was originally designed for Ducatos up to 4200 kg MAM. Which corresponds to the list of Ducato type variants in my 2017 owner's handbook none of which have a MAM more than 4200 kg.

 

[tonyidle]

The type of use will have a marked effect. Prolonged 'crawling' in traffic, use of levelling ramps, anything really that requires very low speed manoeuvring for a prolonged period.

 

[Lenny HB]

Me neither,but if you google comformatics there are quiet a few that have reported clutch failures.
Also mine is a 3liter tag axle motorhome,so whether it’s the weight and bigger engine I don’t know.

Quite likley my is only single rear axle 4500 kg running at 4000 kg, 2.3 150 engine. Never had any problems with the last one but only did 20,000 in the 2½ years we had it.
When the 3 Lt first came out with manual boxes they had a lot of problems with the clutch & flywheel, the clutch couldn't cope with the high torque of the engine.

 

[Lenny HB]

The type of use will have a marked effect. Prolonged 'crawling' in traffic, use of levelling ramps, anything really that requires very low speed manoeuvring for a prolonged period.

Worse thing you can do with any modern van is reverse onto ramps, reverse gear is too high, difficult to do without slipping the clutch. always drive on forward as 1st is the lower gear. Also with the Comformatic don't reverse slowly unless you like to smell your clutch frying.

 

[tonyidle]

Worse thing you can do with any modern van is reverse onto ramps, reverse gear is too high, difficult to do without slipping the clutch. always drive on forward as 1st is the lower gear. Also with the Comformatic don't reverse slowly unless you like to smell your clutch frying.

I only mentioned it because of the confusion (created by marketing info or lack of it) around modern "auto" boxes. It isn't obvious that low speed manoeuvres in a Comfortmatic (and any other robotic manual) are achieved by slipping the clutch. Dry clutch 'twin clutch' autos are equally affected - the ones with wet clutches dissipate heat better and have warning lights for over-temperature gear oil. It's difficult to reverse any vehicle onto ramps without slipping the clutch - but a high reverse gear makes that, and any other reverse manoeuvre, more difficult than it needs to be.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}