Comfortmatic gearbox

[Steve-N]

Just checking with members, how they were finding the Comfortmatic gearbox reliablability wise in action. Hear annecdotale tales of woe on other Facebook pages, and it is hard to judge how big a problem it is.

Mine has just (in the last week) failed

When I start the engine, I can only get 'N' no amount of selecting will change this, it was recovered by a low loader this morning and taken to my nearest Fiat Commercial main dealer by Green Flag (CAMH Mayday) which btw I cannot fault, they were so helpful and the service was 100%

Now I await the 'news' on what is wrong The dealer has already warned it could be 'up to' £4k if it is the hydraulic actuator that has faulted, PLUS labour.
I'm already looking at changing it for the new 9 speed 'proper' Automatic, but am tempted to hang on until next year when the revised cab and dashboard is available

Steve

 

[Steve-N]

Hope you get it sorted and keen to understand what Fiat have to say as so far still off the road for 2 months with the same issue.

Hi Orridge,

How have you got on with this, is it sorted now ?

My earlier post today gives an update on mine, it has completely died (the gear selector system anyway) awaiting on a call from the Fiat dealer, probably later this week . . . in the meantime I think I'll have a lie down in a dark room

Steve

 

[orridge]

Hi Orridge,

How have you got on with this, is it sorted now ?

My earlier post today gives an update on mine, it has completely died (the gear selector system anyway) awaiting on a call from the Fiat dealer, probably later this week . . . in the meantime I think I'll have a lie down in a dark room

Steve

The clutch I understand has been replaced and should be working but still not selecting any gears so now suspect a software issue but apparently a 2014 Ducato users an older version of the comfortmatic software the dealer does not appear to have.

Considering Fiat make up a good majority of the base vehicles and this seems to be a common problem I find it a little hard to believe no easy access to the software required considering how many Fiat's would have been through a service department in the interim years.

 

[Just smiffy]

£4k if it is the hydraulic actuator that has faulted

Can an actuator really be 4 thousand pounds….?

 

[SpeedyDux]

Can an actuator really be 4 thousand pounds….?

I find that absurd. I had the previous PVC's autobox rebuilt including a replacement torque converter for £3k all in.

The clutch I understand has been replaced and should be working but still not selecting any gears so now suspect a software issue but apparently a 2014 Ducato users an older version of the comfortmatic software the dealer does not appear to have.

Considering Fiat make up a good majority of the base vehicles and this seems to be a common problem I find it a little hard to believe no easy access to the software required considering how many Fiat's would have been through a service department in the interim years.

From what I once saw in a French magazine the software needs to perform an apprentisage to discover and memorise the clutch take-up point required for each gear. Otherwise it could burn out the new clutch. Whether that is relevant to your van's problem I can't say. I hope the service department can get yours up and running soon.

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[orridge]

From what I once saw in a French magazine the software needs to perform an apprentisage to discover and memorise the clutch take-up point required for each gear. Otherwise it could burn out the new clutch. Whether that is relevant to your van's problem I can't say. I hope the service department can get yours up and running soon.

That sounds something like what was explained however access to the version needed for a 2014 Fiat costs £600 so awaiting an update if a dodgy copy could be found on ebay or whether a genuine copy from Fiat might be forthcoming.

 

[Steve-N]

Can an actuator really be 4 thousand pounds….?

I must admit I'm very suspicious at that from what is supposed to be a reputable dealer (Motus) . . One issue it that Fiat do not seem to be very well supported in the UK, only 1 dealer in the whole of Gloucestershire being an example.
My van has only covered 10,800 miles from new, it has never been driven hard (my boy racer days are long gone) and has also covered a lot of motorway miles so mostly in 6th gear.
Until I get a call from the dealer with their diagnosis I can't say much more . .
Watch this space !!

 

[Steve-N]

So . . I called the dealer today to be told they have referred the problem to Fiat "technical support" . . FTS had advised that they check for hydraulic leaks (think I would have spotted some evidence of that) and then to check the clutch hydraulic fluid level (did that already myself) . .
Does anyone else get the same impression as me that they haven't got a clue what they are doing ?
I questioned why what appears to be an electronic or ecu issue would result in a hydraulic fluid leak to be told "we're just doing what Fiat have recommended"
Anyway the saga continues . . .

 

[Jo662]

The clutch I understand has been replaced and should be working but still not selecting any gears so now suspect a software issue but apparently a 2014 Ducato users an older version of the comfortmatic software the dealer does not appear to have.

Considering Fiat make up a good majority of the base vehicles and this seems to be a common problem I find it a little hard to believe no easy access to the software required considering how many Fiat's would have been through a service department in the interim years.

Did you sort the problem out?
I replaced the clutch and dual mass flywheel on mine, you then need calibrate it with a disgnostic pc to set the clutch gap to the correct distance.

 

[orridge]

Did you sort the problem out?
I replaced the clutch and dual mass flywheel on mine, you then need calibrate it with a disgnostic pc to set the clutch gap to the correct distance.

Not yet having problems with either getting the correct version of that software or it not applying the correct settings so 2.5 months down thhe track the van is still unusable.

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[dunnah01]

Strange hat I can set all the clutch parameters with my registered older copy of MultiECUScan but Fiat can't with their software?

 

[orridge]

Strange hat I can set all the clutch parameters with my registered older copy of MultiECUScan but Fiat can't with their software?View attachment 544868

Fiat can the dealer appears not to have the correct software to do so or so I am being told.

 

[Jo662]

Not yet having problems with either getting the correct version of that software or it not applying the correct settings so 2.5 months down thhe track the van is still unusable.

That's a crazy situation not to be able to use you Motorhome for over two months of the summer. Think you need to get on to Fiat direct for some answers why!

 

[Steve-N]

I'm advised this morning from the Fiat dealer that Fiat 'technical' have now requested the gearbox be removed so the can 'check the clutch slave cylinder' which aparently is inside the bell hosing (smart idea Fiat . . NOT !!)
I fail to quite see how this would give a "no gears available" error message and no response from the A/M select lever . . but I am between a rock and a hard place and have no choice or face having g a completely useless immobile van.

I'm only into week 2 with this saga but I too will be taking this up with Fiat, with the view that they can reimburse all my costs and loss of use . . or I will claim "unfit for purpose" under the sale of goods act . . taking legal action if necessary . . . Hopfully it won't come to that though !

Steve

 

[dunnah01]

I'm advised this morning from the Fiat dealer that Fiat 'technical' have now requested the gearbox be removed so the can 'check the clutch slave cylinder' which aparently is inside the bell hosing (smart idea Fiat . . NOT !!)
I fail to quite see how this would give a "no gears available" error message and no response from the A/M select lever . . but I am between a rock and a hard place and have no choice or face having g a completely useless immobile van.

I'm only into week 2 with this saga but I too will be taking this up with Fiat, with the view that they can reimburse all my costs and loss of use . . or I will claim "unfit for purpose" under the sale of goods act . . taking legal action if necessary . . . Hopfully it won't come to that though !

Steve

That sounds like BS. They can check the slave cylinder throw with the diagnostics and even visually with an endoscope. But if you're not paying and Fiat don't care how long it takes then it's a Catch 22. Sounfs like they're changing parts until they fluke it.

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[Happy Jim]

Slave cylinder inside the bell housing is pretty common to be fair (aka concentric throw out bearing). “IF” it’s goosed I would expect it to have lost the fluid, they very rarely just jam.

 

[Steve-N]

Slave cylinder inside the bell housing is pretty common to be fair (aka concentric throw out bearing). “IF” it’s goosed I would expect it to have lost the fluid, they very rarely just jam.

I'd be very surprised if its 'goosed' after just over 10k miles !! . . . It certainly isn't 'jammed' or I wouldn't have had any gears or drive . . It drove 100% normal when it did work.
Steve

 

[SteveRallye]

Had our 1st PVC on the 3ltr Comformatic and did 48k on it. Had new clutch fitted at 36k. At 40k we were in Spain and had been on a site for a week and when we came to leave we could not select a gear, so rang the breakdown and they took us to the local Fiat Professional 20 miles away. After an anxious wait at the local cafebar 400 yards away our van suddenly appeared and drove past us. So we hotfooted it back to the dealer and it turned out that the tranmission fluid resovoir had an airline crack in it and they could not get the part till the following Tuesday (this was a Friday) so they repaired it with a plastic padding type filler and pressure tested it. An our later we were on our way to South of France. It cost us 150euro and we did another 1500 miles on it before getting it replaced.

 

[Steve-N]

Still at the Fiat repair garage, now almost 6 weeks. Waiting for parts from Italy, which is strange seeing as the aren't 100% sure what the issue is yet !!
Now in discussion with a dealer to order a new Series 8 model with a 'normal' 9 sp auto for delivery next year (June !!) as soon as our van with the 6sp Comfort-Matic is fixed its going to be traded-in . . . an expensive lesson learnt

 

[orridge]

Still at the Fiat repair garage, now almost 6 weeks. Waiting for parts from Italy, which is strange seeing as the aren't 100% sure what the issue is yet !!
Now in discussion with a dealer to order a new Series 8 model with a 'normal' 9 sp auto for delivery next year (June !!) as soon as our van with the 6sp Comfort-Matic is fixed its going to be traded-in . . . an expensive lesson learnt

I will see your six weeks and raise you 14 weeks and counting. Awaiting tooling from Italy also.

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[Steve-N]

Gosh, that's ridiculous

There is definitely a call from all those who have/had issues with the Comfort-Matic system to get together and seriously lobby Fiat to get them resolved, and also accept liability that it obviously has several issues, made more obvious because they have now dropped the 6 sp Comfort-Matic in favour of the ZF manufactured 9 sp 'normal' automatic box.

 

[Steve-N]

So finally after 14 weeks the dealer called yesterday and said my van is all back together, fully repaired and has completed a 50 mile road test inc hard acceleration/ rapid stop test (as required by Fiat aparently) and it is all good to go, so I'm collecting next Wed and then off for a New Year 3 night trip to Devon (fingers crossed)

The dealer has said there is NO warranty with the repairs as done under goodwill by Fiat and there is no guarantee it won't happen again, so its getting px'd next year for a brand new one with a 9 speed ZF auto gearbox . . Although I'm not holding my breath on a delivery date as it appears there are significant delivery delays on new vans !!

 

[Jake Royd]

On the failed one above, what a tale of woe.
I drive, amongst motorhomes, a 2014 Ducato minibus. Used on an actual bus timetable so lots and lots of clutch operations (manual gearbox).
At about 35000 miles the clutch slave cylinder failed.
Cost of part £120 , cost of complete job (gearbox off and on and clutch bleeding etc.) £900

My motorhome is an early X250 (2008) no problems at all so far, I assume it has the slave cylinder mounted concentrically to the first motion shaft instead of a lever on the side design?

 

[Steve-N]

I'll raise your £900 to £7,250.00 which was my final costs (new gearbox actuator, clutch, dual-mass flywheel and almost 30 hrs labour) it was 4 mths out or warranty with only 10800 miles so thankfully Fiat picked the costs up under goodwill

Maybe there is a Santa after all, but he is Italian !!

 

[Jake Royd]

Jeeze!

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[Jake Royd]

Sorry to go off topic but there are many other examples of Fiats design prowess.
At least on earlier versions.

Rubbish windscreen water draining provision.
Inaccessible windscreen washer filler.
Rubbish screws on the aircleaner housing.
Water leaks onto EGR control valve.
Pain to remove the headlamp (on my wifes VW Beetle it's one lever)
Water shedder from heater plenum drains onto the top of the gearbox.
Water leaks onto fuse box.
Cantilever mounted 5th gear (not on mine)
etc.

 

[Jamesh]

Sorry to go off topic but there are many other examples of Fiats design prowess.
At least on earlier versions.

Rubbish windscreen water draining provision.
Inaccessible windscreen washer filler.
Rubbish screws on the aircleaner housing.
Water leaks onto EGR control valve.
Pain to remove the headlamp (on my wifes VW Beetle it's one lever)
Water shedder from heater plenum drains onto the top of the gearbox.
Water leaks onto fuse box.
Cantilever mounted 5th gear (not on mine)

Sounds like a ford transit too!!!!

 

[Scotch mist]

so its getting px'd next year for a brand new one with a 9 speed ZF auto gearbox

my van was less than a year old BUT that was exactly what I did , I didn’t want the £7,250 bill landing at my door when The warranty was out ! , My logic was I’d rather spend 7.5k on a new van than repairs

 

[Portland]

There's a place in Deeside I think its called Chester automatic services, The Guy there was recommended by the Main Fiat agent in Wrexham, who gave him a first class recommendation so its worth a call to see if he could help. I was going to buy an old but very good Hymer with the Salis speed box ( fore runner of comfortmatic) but 5 minute chat with him soon put me off as spares have not been produced since 2010 and they where hard to find.