Comfortmatic gearbox - kicked into neutral !!

[timdavies]

Travelling in Cornwall and comfortmatic gearbox out of the blue kicked into neutral and couldn’t get any gears including switching to manual. Switched off removed keys started again all good to destination 20 mins. Any ideas on reason or prognoses - 2018 Fiat Ducato 10k miles - need to get back from Penzance to Surrey ( I think sealed transmission oil so can’t check that one ) TIA

 

[TheLifeofBrian]

Did it say 'gear not available ' ?

 

[timdavies]

Got the red gear failure warning light on dash and then nothing sorry didn’t catch the wording

 

[TheLifeofBrian]

Give me a call if u like 07779763802 Chris

 

[TheBig1]

Sounds like the usual comfortmatic fault with the gearbox needing to be reset with a clutch position relearn due to wear. Also be aware the fluid needs changing

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[Lenny HB]

If it all working OK after turning it off and on it's probably just a Comformatic gremlin.
A year or more ago we were driving along in Spain and ours decided to stick in 4th, switching off & back on it was OK then ½ hour later on a mountain road halfway round a hairpin lost all gears, red warning light on & "No gears available" message. after a quick change of underpants, switched off & on, it's never gone wrong since. Talking to Simon at AM it's quite common.

 

[dunnah01]

Check that the main loom grommet behind the offside headlight is still seated properly. If it is then start hunting down somebody with Multiecuscan to do a clutch self calibration enable routine.

 

[timdavies]

JFI - Code read - “shift position sensor signal (primary and secondary circuit) circuit voltage out out of range - code P1742-1C”
So may well kick in again, any thoughts welcome

 

[Silver-Fox]

Give me a call if u like 0777 Chris

TheLifeofBrian
Can I suggest you be careful posting your number on an open forum.

You could end up with all sorts causing you bother

 

[Bessy765]

Fiat recommend the oil in the comformatic operating reservoir be checked every 2 years changed every 4 years ours is in today having it done (2019) 21300

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[Lenny HB]

Fiat recommend the oil in the comformatic operating reservoir be checked every 2 years changed every 4 years ours is in today having it done (2019) 21300

It's far more important to get the clutch fluid changed and the clutch recalibrated every two years.

 

[Bessy765]

By operating reservoir I meant the clutch fluid.

 

[dunnah01]

If it kicked into neutral whilst just plodding along and not attempting to change gear it is more likely to be the bulkhead grommet that has become displaced causing the Comfortmatic wiring loom to chafe on the bodywork. Worth checking before anything else to rule it out.

 

[Pausim]

Fiat recommend the oil in the comformatic operating reservoir be checked every 2 years changed every 4 years ours is in today having it done (2019) 21300

It is not a recommendation but a specific requirements of the 2 and 4 year services. Simon at Adams Morey says if he had one he would change the clutch activation fluid every year. I shall have mine done again next year when it goes in for the 5 year timing belt replacement.

 

[TheLifeofBrian]

TheLifeofBrian
Can I suggest you be careful posting your number on an open forum.

You could end up with all sorts causing you bother

Are you suggesting there are some dubious members on here
You are right though - I can't edit it out now

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[Bessy765]

It is not a recommendation but a specific requirements of the 2 and 4 year services. Simon at Adams Morey says if he had one he would change the clutch activation fluid every year. I shall have mine done again next year when it goes in for the 5 year timing belt replacement.

That’s where we had ours done yesterday. Although only 4 years old we elected to have the cam belt done at the same time as hopefully we will be in Portugal this time next year so rather earlier than too late, saves a special trip from Plymouth and it will probably be a lot dearer by then. Full Marks to Adams Morey excellent customer service.

 

[Nick wright]

Travelling in Cornwall and comfortmatic gearbox out of the blue kicked into neutral and couldn’t get any gears including switching to manual. Switched off removed keys started again all good to destination 20 mins. Any ideas on reason or prognoses - 2018 Fiat Ducato 10k miles - need to get back from Penzance to Surrey ( I think sealed transmission oil so can’t check that one ) TIA

I’ve got the same box in mine and it’s done it twice in 2 years, if you clip the foot break just a little while pressing the accelerator as they are so close you may not know your doing it, it can send it a bit funny. I just stop for 10 minutes and let it reset then restart. Regards nick

 

[dawsey]

Another suggestion that maybe those with direct experience of the camper applications can perhaps refute or challenge…

I have never had one of these automated manual systems on a camper. I have had them on cars though, and if the system is based around the magnetti marelli actuation module I have noted a couple of issues. Aside from the ‘clutch learn’ there is a measure of clutch wear on the application in one of my cars. When the clutch wears beyond a given point, the system disables gear selection and leaves you completely stranded.

It’s really unhelpful as most folk can easily detect when their clutch is beginning to slip in a ‘normal’ manual, and will be able to make their way home or to a service center for a replacement clutch.

Maybe the issues some folk are starting to experience could be as the clutch is approaching end of life and the wear sensor is starting to tell the TCM (transmission control module) to disable gear selection?

Just a thought, as I say I have no experience with the systems deployed in camper applications.

 

[Steve-N]

We had a similar issue at 10,800 mls on our 2019 van, it spent 3 mths at our local Fiat Professional dealer with a complete engine out diagnosis.
It turned out to be a hairline crack in the control block casting which was unrepairable so a new actuator block had to be fitted.
Also hydraulic had leaked into the main gearbox (not sure how exactly) so the whole gearbox, clutch and actuator was replaced, luckily for me Fiat paid for it all even though the van was 4 mths out of warranty when it happened.

We have a new series 8 van with the 9 sp auto now and it is so much nicer to drive, a real pleasure, so smooth especially up hill.

 

[dawsey]

We had a similar issue at 10,800 mls on our 2019 van, it spent 3 mths at our local Fiat Professional dealer with a complete engine out diagnosis.
It turned out to be a hairline crack in the control block casting which was unrepairable so a new actuator block had to be fitted.
Also hydraulic had leaked into the main gearbox (not sure how exactly) so the whole gearbox, clutch and actuator was replaced, luckily for me Fiat paid for it all even though the van was 4 mths out of warranty when it happened.

We have a new series 8 van with the 9 sp auto now and it is so much nicer to drive, a real pleasure, so smooth especially up hill.

9 speeds. Wow. My car was registered in 1980 and it came with a 3-speed auto

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[Steve-N]

Good job it wasn't a truck, it would have 24 !!

 

[Captain Lloyd]

It's far more important to get the clutch fluid changed and the clutch recalibrated every two years.

Could you suggest a place to get this done my last MH had this problem and now my MH is four years old coming up to 20,000 miles it’s giving me anxiety.

 

[Steve-N]

Any Fiat Professional garage as they will have the computer stuff needed

 

[MisterB]

Any Fiat Professional garage as they will have the computer stuff needed

I wouldn't be so confident after reading other threads where some fiat garages don't even know it's in the service plan schedule to change the oil!

 

[Pausim]

I wouldn't be so confident after reading other threads where some fiat garages don't even know it's in the service plan schedule to change the oil!

I agree. At one Fiat Professional garage the mechanic was quoted as saying it is not needed and another one saying they had not received an update from Fiat concerning clutch fluid. As one of the better informed Fiat Professionals confirmed, they don’t need an update from Fiat it is clearly shown in the current service schedule.

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[Lenny HB]

Could you suggest a place to get this done my last MH had this problem and now my MH is four years old coming up to 20,000 miles it’s giving me anxiety.

Fiat profession garage but not all are equal.
Probably the best one is Adams Morey at Portsmouth.

Mine wasn't done until 5 years and 40,000.

 

[AlunandFelicie]

Had mine done last week at Adams Moray Portsmouth ,5 years 54,000m better late than sorry

 

[Captain Lloyd]

I agree. At one Fiat Professional garage the mechanic was quoted as saying it is not needed and another one saying they had not received an update from Fiat concerning clutch fluid. As one of the better informed Fiat Professionals confirmed, they don’t need an update from Fiat it is clearly shown in the current service schedule.

I had exactly the same experience at a fiat professional garage, said it was not needed.

 

[Captain Lloyd]

Fiat profession garage but not all are equal.
Probably the best one is Adams Morey at Portsmouth.

Mine wasn't done until 5 years and 40,000.

Thank you, have just booked it to have it done there.