Ducauto Auto Box Problem.

[cantonalegod]

Hi, anyone had an issue with the Ducato semi automatic gearbox.

The dashboard readout says "unable to select gear", and that is exactly the problem we have!

Unfortunately we are stuck in France awaiting ADAC.

 

[David and Sally]

Good luck. Hope it's sorted real soon.

 

[DBK]

You could check the brake lights are coming on when you press the pedal. I've seen that message when I forgot to press the brake before selecting a gear to move off. It won't let you unless it knows the brake is applied and I guess it may use the same switch to detect the operation of the brakes.

 

[Just smiffy]

As DBK said 9 out of 10 gearbox problems on the fiat will be the brake switch...

 

[Lenny HB]

I've had messages up saying "Automatic mode not available" & "Check Transmission" rectified by turning the ignition off and on. Traced to an intermittent brake light switch.

Brake light switches cause all sorts of problems on modern vehicles, slightest bad contact and the ECU throws a wobbly.
Probably worth shorting out the brake light switch and see if you can get a gear.

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

 

[RandallC]

Sadly it may not be that simple., but wish you best of luck

last year had same problem, cost best part of £4K to put it right. Fiat 3.0L in a tandem axle van close to 5 ton

looks Like original issue was fluid contamination that led to master & slave cylinder failure. Fluid black as night and full of bits. No clutch movement at all, had many tries to get it away. Including rocking/pushing. Got a couple of nasty grating noises so ended up recovered as unable to drive it.

Fiat took the gear box out, found dual-mass flywheel with excessive play, clutch plate starting to break up so all replaced, just to add insult to injury the gearbox bolts stripped and had to be helicoiled. The upside was the servo pack and gearbox ecu were ok as the servo pack is £2.5K we were told.

If you are recovered to uk can advise Adams Morey in Portsmouth got it sorted pretty quick and advised possible costs up front so you knew what was coming.

 

[Lenny HB]

If you are recovered to uk can advise Adams Morey in Portsmouth got it sorted pretty quick and advised possible costs up front so you knew what was coming.

Took my van there recently I thought they were pretty useless I wouldn't go back.
See here:

Fiat X290 ABS/Comformatic problems

Oh hell ... maybe we should have stuck with the manual version for our new MH! o_O I ain't gonna tell hubby about this thread. ? Hope you get it sorted Lenny ... Don't fret too much. The Ducato is an excellent vehicle.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[jezport]

You could try a full reset by disconnecting all battery power.

 

[KUSKUS]

As DBK said 9 out of 10 gearbox problems on the fiat will be the brake switch...

Not sure that it always the brake light switch , the company I work for had twenty plus comfortmatic gearbox vehicles and lots of those had gearbox problems, mostly hydraulic problems , slave cylinder on most , valve on some and selector wear.
Dont recall any having brake light switch failures.

 

[cantonalegod]

OK, so looks like a clutch bearing at £3k to fix, and stuck in Mont de Marsan until Friday night! On the upside ADAC were excellent.

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

 

[DBK]

 

[Lenny HB]

OK, so looks like a clutch bearing at £3k to fix, and stuck in Mont de Marsan until Friday night! On the upside ADAC were excellent.

Ouch!

 

[Lenny HB]

OK, so looks like a clutch bearing at £3k to fix, and stuck in Mont de Marsan until Friday night! On the upside ADAC were excellent.

If it's just the clutch bearing how can they justify £3k it's only 4 hours to get the gearbox out and back in. As it's an A Class may add an hour or two.

 

[RandallC]

If it's just the clutch bearing how can they justify £3k it's only 4 hours to get the gearbox out and back in. As it's an A Class may add an hour or two.

While the Box is out, whatever would you not replace the thrust bearing, clutch cover & plate as a minimum?

Fiat Prices
Dual mass flywheel, £ 508
Clutch set £ 286
Master cylinder £ 691
Slave Cylinder£ 191
|Track Rod end (had to be cut off to get the box out ) £ 25
+ bits andbobs & oil &
labour

 

[Lenny HB]

While the Box is out, whatever would you not replace the thrust bearing, clutch cover & plate as a minimum?

Fiat Prices
Dual mass flywheel, £ 508
Clutch set £ 286
Master cylinder £ 691
Slave Cylinder£ 191
|Track Rod end (had to be cut off to get the box out ) £ 25
+ bits andbobs & oil &
labour

Yep I see what you mean but why the new master cylinder?

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

 

[RandallC]

Think that may have been the main issue, if I'd have had the kit to talk to the gearbox (additional app required to talk to gearbox ecu, not everyone has one) would have been able to get away with master cylinder only.

Its an odd arrangement as far as I understood/think the gearbox servo pack sends oil to the primary side of the master cylinder. replicating a foot on a clutch pedal. This via piston/diaphragm operates the slave cylinder (note the slave is a annular piston arrangement fitted around the gearbox input drive shaft. The master cylinder also has the clutch position sensor which tells the ecu the clutch is released. Think the gearbox also senses input shaft speed to confirm clutch release.

Finding any manuals, drawings etc without modest outlay is a bit difficult. Again if its a box out cant do that on my drive.

 

[RandallC]

Am very unsure if the troubles could be in anyway related to the scuttle drain problem as have had the usual problem with blockages but always kept an eye to make sure free.

When looking at the clutch problem took the nearside headlight out and found the drain pipe split so water had been running over the fluid reservoir and master cylinder. Maybe hence fluid contamination and ……….

Internal clutch works mainly done because the box is out and why wouldn't you.

 

[Paulnsmith]

Hi, anyone had an issue with the Ducato semi automatic gearbox.

The dashboard readout says "unable to select gear", and that is exactly the problem we have!

Unfortunately we are stuck in France awaiting ADAC.

Hi all.

I know that the original post was ages ago but the issue is still recurring. I took my van to a Fiat dealer and had a ticket opened with Fiat themselves. All pretty hopeless. However, the technician at the Fiat garage said that it might be to do with a brake sensor. He fitted some sort of switch, details were:

Ricambi Originali

Ref 0052162684-001

A different ref 6851 7960 AA - 001

That seemed to sort out the original problem but it started 2 new warnings:

- Hill start not available

- ESC not available.

He took out the part that he had fitted and put my old unit on that he had left on his desk, and all is now fine.

The unit detailed above was, I think £79.

I have spent months trying to get this sorted and probably over £1,000 but all seems well now.

If this post is helpful, great. If not, I only offer it after months of stress so don't shoot the messenger!

I'm really not a techie so if you ask questions, expect ill-informed responses.

PS

 

[cantonalegod]

Hi all.

I know that the original post was ages ago but the issue is still recurring. I took my van to a Fiat dealer and had a ticket opened with Fiat themselves. All pretty hopeless. However, the technician at the Fiat garage said that it might be to do with a brake sensor. He fitted some sort of switch, details were:

Ricambi Originali

Ref 0052162684-001

A different ref 6851 7960 AA - 001

That seemed to sort out the original problem but it started 2 new warnings:

- Hill start not available

- ESC not available.

He took out the part that he had fitted and put my old unit on that he had left on his desk, and all is now fine.

The unit detailed above was, I think £79.

I have spent months trying to get this sorted and probably over £1,000 but all seems well now.

If this post is helpful, great. If not, I only offer it after months of stress so don't shoot the messenger!

I'm really not a techie so if you ask questions, expect ill-informed responses.

PS

Just to confirm the outcome on ours.

The French Fiat dealer said it was fluid contamination that caused ours to go.

We had it all fixed at Mont de Marsan.

On our return I wrote to the CEO of Fiat complaining that a vehicle just out of warranty should not have this issue, and Fiat refunded us for the parts, so the bill in the end was around £800.

On the upside we now have a newer van with the 9 speed Auto Box, very smooth!

 

[PaddyM]

Just to confirm the outcome on ours.

The French Fiat dealer said it was fluid contamination that caused ours to go.

We had it all fixed at Mont de Marsan.

On our return I wrote to the CEO of Fiat complaining that a vehicle just out of warranty should not have this issue, and Fiat refunded us for the parts, so the bill in the end was around £800.

On the upside we now have a newer van with the 9 speed Auto Box, very smooth!

I also have new van with the 9 speed auto and it is a sight to behold and a pleasure to drive , the best gearbox on any vehicle I’ve driven ever ,

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

 

[Lenny HB]

Took my van there recently I thought they were pretty useless I wouldn't go back.
See here:

Fiat X290 ABS/Comformatic problems

Oh hell ... maybe we should have stuck with the manual version for our new MH! o_O I ain't gonna tell hubby about this thread. ? Hope you get it sorted Lenny ... Don't fret too much. The Ducato is an excellent vehicle.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

I noticed someone just gave this post a like.
Now they have got rid of the guy on reception that I had problems with I have given them a second chance in fact a 3rd chance their service has been excellent.

 

[Howard B]

I also have new van with the 9 speed auto and it is a sight to behold and a pleasure to drive , the best gearbox on any vehicle I’ve driven ever ,

Had an issue with mine the other day. Stopped at a set of lights and put into neutral / handbrake on. When the lights changed, selected D, handbrake off, pressed accelerator and nothing. Engine revved , but no drive. Ended up turning everything off and restarting which seemed to sort it. Been ok since, but still not fully convinced with the 9 speed auto box.