Don’t Breakdown in the Outer Hebrides

[orridge]

So looks like our 3 week trip around Scotland and the Outer Hebrides is coming to an end after 10 glorious days of sunshine on Skye and the Islands.

Currently in a lay-by near the Eriskay Ferry as the Fiat automatic gearbox has decided there are no gears available.

AA trying to assist but using a garage on the mainland so the first recovery vehicle could not fit our Laika on it so towed is a few metres off the road to a lay-by but now need something bigger which might have to come from Mallaig but the ferry’s are full for days on end to recover us back to a Fiat dealer somewhere in the UK

lovely view from the layby though but not going anywhere anytime soon.

fridge is full and toilet is empty so could be worse…

 

[WillH]

At least the view is nice!

 

[phase3begins]

Good luck folks.

 

[TOAD on Tour]

Good luck!

 

[jongood]

So looks like our 3 week trip around Scotland and the Outer Hebrides is coming to an end after 10 glorious days of sunshine on Skye and the Islands.

Currently in a lay-by near the Eriskay Ferry as the Fiat automatic gearbox has decided there are no gears available.

AA trying to assist but using a garage on the mainland so the first recovery vehicle could not fit our Laika on it so towed is a few metres off the road to a lay-by but now need something bigger which might have to come from Mallaig but the ferry’s are full for days on end to recover us back to a Fiat dealer somewhere in the UK

lovely view from the layby though but not going anywhere anytime soon.

fridge is full and toilet is empty so could be worse…

im sure you would have checked but as its basically a manual box with a robotised clutch, is there no manual overide to " get you home"

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[Puddleduck]

We were once stuck in Ullapool after we'd broken down in Stornoway but managed to limp onto the ferry and off again. It's not much better as the breakdown service couldn't find us even with me giving directions. We found out later they were in Poolewe not Ullapool having put the wrong info into their satnav. I had a hospital appointment later that week and ended up going home on bus and train and then taxi.

 

[TOAD on Tour]

im sure you would have checked but as its basically a manual box with a robotised clutch, is there no manual overide to " get you home"

That’s a good shout, happened to me couple of years ago on our Infiniti car (posh Nissan). We got home but switching it to manual and just going through the gears, took a couple of minutes before the engine came out of limp mode, but if you went back in to auto, it would go back to limp mode.

 

[dunnah01]

If it's the Comfortmatic box then there are a couple of known problem areas that may be worth a scrat around:
Check for wiring chafing against the wiper motor mechanism behind the nearside headlamp & check that the starter battery is at least 110Ah

 

[Tombola]

Hey, look at it as a nice holiday exptension as long as the weathers nice

 

[orridge]

im sure you would have checked but as its basically a manual box with a robotised clutch, is there no manual overide to " get you home"

Thanks but still nothing.

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[Sunlovers]

Feel your pain, but you're hopefully safe and secure where you are, and there have to be worse places to be broken down. Good luck getting everything sorted.

 

[BDM]

When I had that kind of problem with my comformatic it was a 30 amp fuse under the bonnet which had blown. Replaced and everything fine for about 500 miles before it went again. Eventual diagnosis was low oil in the robot hydraulics caused by a leakiing something.

 

[Mrsambulancekidd]

If it's the Comfortmatic box

Robert just mentioned that type, he said disconnecting then re-connecting the battery could reset it's silly wee brain.

 

[orridge]

N

Robert just mentioned that type, he said disconnecting then re-connecting the battery could reset it's silly wee brain.

ope that didn’t work either but thanks for the suggestion.

 

[dunnah01]

Robert just mentioned that type, he said disconnecting then re-connecting the battery could reset it's silly wee brain.

Wasn't sure if it was the new 9 speed real auto or the old skool robotised one

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[orridge]

If it's the Comfortmatic box then there are a couple of known problem areas that may be worth a scrat around:
Check for wiring chafing against the wiper motor mechanism behind the nearside headlamp & check that the starter battery is at least 110Ah

Wiring appears ok but battery is only 95ah and was changed by the AA about a month ago though.

 

[orridge]

Wasn't sure if it was the new 9 speed real auto or the old skool robotised one

6 Speed 2013

 

[domf]

If it's the Comfortmatic box then there are a couple of known problem areas that may be worth a scrat around:
Check for wiring chafing against the wiper motor mechanism behind the nearside headlamp & check that the starter battery is at least 110Ah

This - try a new battery or ask the breakdown to connect to you with Jump Leeds and try. If you battery is a bit iffy this can impact.

 

[jongood]

Shame your not in morocco, they would cut a hole and weld you on a clutch pedal.

 

[wiljoy]

Beautiful place to break down. We spent 6 days near Scourie a few years ago waiting for a new tyre after a blowout. Those were the days when my brain didn't want to carry a spare wheel. Never been without one since, no brained.

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[Kelsae2]

At least you have a toilet and shower available at the ferry terminal. And a walk back to the pub via Prince Charlie’s beach.

 

[zedman]

its the clutch slave cylinder that has blown......thats why its saying no gears available, get the AA guy to check the clutch fluid reservoir, it'll either be empty or full of gear oil.
thats what it was when mine did the same thing

 

[orridge]

its the clutch slave cylinder that has blown......thats why its saying no gears available, get the AA guy to check the clutch fluid reservoir, it'll either be empty or full of gear oil.
thats what it was when mine did the same thing

No AA Here nearest AA representative is in Mallaig and earliest they can recover us is August 13th.

So I suggest not using AA for any breakdown in the Islands as they have no people.

 

[orridge]

Update: +24 Hours

AA only have one garage for the Highlands & Islands in Mallaig and earliest they can recover us is August 13th or we can leave the van at the side of the side and travel home until it’s recovered.

I cannot see the insurance covering abandonment of the vehicle and suggest it would not be here come the 13th.

The other option is to try to find a local firm to recovery to the Mainland via ferry ourselves but the AA seems to have washed their hands with us due to the Location.

 

[CazPaul]

That’s very poor service it’s not as if you are in Outer Mongolia.

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[Mrsambulancekidd]

Update: +24 Hours

AA only have one garage for the Highlands & Islands in Mallaig and earliest they can recover us is August 13th or we can leave the van at the side of the side and travel home until it’s recovered.

I cannot see the insurance covering abandonment of the vehicle and suggest it would not be here come the 13th.

The other option is to try to find a local firm to recovery to the Mainland via ferry ourselves but the AA seems to have washed their hands with us due to the Location.

That is poor service.
Hope you get sorted soon.

 

[jockaneezer]

Surely the AA could sub the job out to someone else, I imagine you won't be bothered what colour truck brings you home ?

 

[orridge]

Surely the AA could sub the job out to someone else, I imagine you won't be bothered what colour truck brings you home ?

You would think so but at the moment the line is we have one Garage looking after the Highlands and it’s in Mallaig so wait until 13th August or leave the van and we will organise to get you (minus the van) back home.

 

[BDM]

Update: +24 Hours

AA only have one garage for the Highlands & Islands in Mallaig and earliest they can recover us is August 13th or we can leave the van at the side of the side and travel home until it’s recovered.

I cannot see the insurance covering abandonment of the vehicle and suggest it would not be here come the 13th.

The other option is to try to find a local firm to recovery to the Mainland via ferry ourselves but the AA seems to have washed their hands with us due to the Location.

When I had that kind of problem with my comformatic it was a 30 amp fuse under the bonnet which had blown. Replaced and everything fine for about 500 miles before it went again. Eventual diagnosis was low oil in the robot hydraulics caused by a leakiing something.

Have you had a look at the fuse I mentioned?

 

[orridge]

Have you had a look at the fuse I mentioned?

Hi,

Had a look and the only fuse showing on the diagram was a small one not the larger ones but will have another look just in case.

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