Fiat’s new 2021 Autobox based vehicle lacking the ability to get onto levelling blocks?

R

Riftzoner

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Feb 17, 2021
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Whitby Cheshire
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Pilote P696D
Exp
2020
I’m having an issue with my brand new 2021 Fiat Auto (the new proper Auto not a comfortmatic) based Pilote. It drives fine until I try to get it on the levelling blocks. A simple function you’d think & something I’ve not had a problem with on past vehicles, but with this vehicle I can barely get it to go up onto the blocks forwards but reversing is virtually impossible? I could actually put the accelerator to the floor & the vehicle refuses to even attempt to mount the blocks? It’s as if the torque converter can’t generate enough energy to drive the vehicle? The revs don’t go through the roof as you’d expect, it just sounds under strain But not going anywhere. Any ideas?
I’m actually starting to become paranoid because in the short period I’ve owned this vehicle which has just completed 1000 miles from new, I’ve also had a metal on metal grinding noise emitting from one of the hubs, which turned out to be an ’extra’ Allan bolt left inside a rear wheel hub during manufacture & that destroyed the Hub, the wheel bearing & the ABS on said wheel! Plus the Phantom Sentinel Ultimate Alarm which is constantly playing up to the point every time I go away the Driver Identification Tag decides it doesn’t want to recognise me!
Here’s me thinking you don’t get such things as Friday vehicles anymore🤔
 
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Steve and Denise said:
Ditcha did you not have some thing like this when you first got yours ?
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That's right Steve I had the problem when the engine management light was on because of the faulty DPF sensor could put foot flat to the floor but wouldn't rev or climb the ramps, once the sensor was changed I never got the chance to try it again as we had E&P jack's fitted so I just thought that's why it was like that.

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Upvote 1
Riftzoner said:
I’m having an issue with my brand new 2021 Fiat Auto (the new proper Auto not a comfortmatic) based Pilote. It drives fine until I try to get it on the levelling blocks. A simple function you’d think & something I’ve not had a problem with on past vehicles, but with this vehicle I can barely get it to go up onto the blocks forwards but reversing is virtually impossible? I could actually put the accelerator to the floor & the vehicle refuses to even attempt to mount the blocks? It’s as if the torque converter can’t generate enough energy to drive the vehicle? The revs don’t go through the roof as you’d expect, it just sounds under strain But not going anywhere. Any ideas?
I’m actually starting to become paranoid because in the short period I’ve owned this vehicle which has just completed 1000 miles from new, I’ve also had a metal on metal grinding noise emitting from one of the hubs, which turned out to be an ’extra’ Allan bolt left inside a rear wheel hub during manufacture & that destroyed the Hub, the wheel bearing & the ABS on said wheel! Plus the Phantom Sentinel Ultimate Alarm which is constantly playing up to the point every time I go away the Driver Identification Tag decides it doesn’t want to recognise me!
Here’s me thinking you don’t get such things as Friday vehicles anymore🤔
Click to expand...
Forgot to say it's a 180 stop/ start, couple of things you could try is selecting 1st manually and reverse and give it a go if you haven't already tried.
 
Upvote 0
Riftzoner said:
I’m having an issue with my brand new 2021 Fiat Auto (the new proper Auto not a comfortmatic) based Pilote. It drives fine until I try to get it on the levelling blocks. A simple function you’d think & something I’ve not had a problem with on past vehicles, but with this vehicle I can barely get it to go up onto the blocks forwards but reversing is virtually impossible? I could actually put the accelerator to the floor & the vehicle refuses to even attempt to mount the blocks? It’s as if the torque converter can’t generate enough energy to drive the vehicle? The revs don’t go through the roof as you’d expect, it just sounds under strain But not going anywhere. Any ideas?
I’m actually starting to become paranoid because in the short period I’ve owned this vehicle which has just completed 1000 miles from new, I’ve also had a metal on metal grinding noise emitting from one of the hubs, which turned out to be an ’extra’ Allan bolt left inside a rear wheel hub during manufacture & that destroyed the Hub, the wheel bearing & the ABS on said wheel! Plus the Phantom Sentinel Ultimate Alarm which is constantly playing up to the point every time I go away the Driver Identification Tag decides it doesn’t want to recognise me!
Here’s me thinking you don’t get such things as Friday vehicles anymore🤔
Click to expand...

Riftzoner, I'm unsure if this scenario replicates your experience but it sounds similar, so may fit.

The ZF9 TC automatic box has a sensor interlock that cuts power to "idle" if it senses both footbrake and accelerator inputs simultaneously for longer than a couple of seconds. It restores the power function after 15 - 20 seconds without dual sensor inputs, during this period, pressing the accelerator is totally ineffective.
So, in the event that you're trying to advance carefully up the ramp, using balanced throttle and footbrake inputs to position the van accurately the ZF9 cpu is saying no you can't have any power because the transmission doesn't appreciate both power and braking inputs simultaneously as it may damage it.

In this case it'd be necessary to use the handbrake and throttle to achieve the desired controlled advance up the ramp.

If this doesn't resemble your experience then please ignore it and thank you for reading this far. Don't ask how I know!

Cheers

Colin
 
Upvote 0
Electronic handbrake is on the specs for the new Ducato - also keyless entry and start on some models - not something I'd want on the van.....

Really cosmetic changes to the exterior looks - even the cab is not massively different
 
Upvote 0
John Barrett said:
I dislike my electric handbrake intensely. Technological progress is a great thing, but it's gone on long enough!
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Electric handbrake seems like a solution looking for a problem. I also dislike this feature on our car. Can never be certain that it will hold.

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Upvote 1
Maybe a sensor on the hand brake cuts power? Are you trying to hold it on the hand brake as well?
 
Upvote 0
Where's the OP on this thread? He/She has not responded, it's gone very quiet but it'd be interesting to hear their view of this.

Colin
 
Upvote 0
The only issues we have had is on wet grass.

I had parked one wheel onto a very flat piece of grass by the tarmac the only wheel fully on tarmac and the wheels were just spinning. The ground was solid as well.

we also had an issue reversing slightly uphil on damp grass but hubby was driving so that could of been him! (Michelin camper tyres from new)

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Upvote 0
My car has an electric handbrake and hill start assist which holds it for a couple of seconds whilst you get sorted out. Perhaps worth ignoring the handbrake and just try to drive up the ramps.

Sometimes technological advancements are not advancements :unsure:
 
Upvote 0
Mr B said:
My mate has got a brand new Carthago C line with the Merc engine/9 speed auto box. And that’s got a electric handbrake…and he has issues getting it up onto ramps.😳
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The FWD Sprinters have the electric handbrake, as luck has it, mine does not, it apparently causes some issue if fitting the hydraulic jacks also
 
Upvote 0
Have a Rapido C 55 Auto 21 model just had a few days away pitched on damp grass. Needed to put rear on levelling blocks expected wheel spin but gentle pressure on throttle and up the ramps it went no issues at all.

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Upvote 0
Riftzoner said:
I’m actually starting to become paranoid because in the short period I’ve owned this vehicle which has just completed 1000 miles from new, I’ve also had a metal on metal grinding noise emitting from one of the hubs, which turned out to be an ’extra’ Allan bolt left inside a rear wheel hub during manufacture & that destroyed the Hub, the wheel bearing & the ABS on said wheel! Plus the Phantom Sentinel Ultimate Alarm which is constantly playing up to the point every time I go away the Driver Identification Tag decides it doesn’t want to recognise me!
Here’s me thinking you don’t get such things as Friday vehicles anymore🤔
Click to expand...
A mechanic friend of mine (who worked at a Fiat garage for years) used to say FIAT stood for “Friday Is Always Today”. 😂

Mind you, he served his time in an Austin Rover garage and had many stories about brand new Metros turning up with key components like radiators and brakes randomly missing, so British engineering wasn’t any better
 
Upvote 0
Quantox said:
Riftzoner, I'm unsure if this scenario replicates your experience but it sounds similar, so may fit.

The ZF9 TC automatic box has a sensor interlock that cuts power to "idle" if it senses both footbrake and accelerator inputs simultaneously for longer than a couple of seconds. It restores the power function after 15 - 20 seconds without dual sensor inputs, during this period, pressing the accelerator is totally ineffective.
So, in the event that you're trying to advance carefully up the ramp, using balanced throttle and footbrake inputs to position the van accurately the ZF9 cpu is saying no you can't have any power because the transmission doesn't appreciate both power and braking inputs simultaneously as it may damage it.

In this case it'd be necessary to use the handbrake and throttle to achieve the desired controlled advance up the ramp.

If this doesn't resemble your experience then please ignore it and thank you for reading this far. Don't ask how I know!

Cheers

Colin
Click to expand...
Brilliant, I think that you’ve possibly ‘hit the nail on the head‘. I’m going to take the vehicle to a local industrial estate & give it a whirl. I was trying to do excactly what you’ve described as it was a pretty tight spot & I was inching up the blocks. What with the CPU then holding the idle for 20 seconds fools you into thinking something is wrong.
Thanks everyone, brilliant responses, really appreciated👍 Happy trails!
 
Upvote 0
Riftzoner saying used in the trade where I came from was.FIAT fix it again tomorrow😂.
Touch wood though never had any problems with Fiat base vehicles.
 
Upvote 0
Shed said:
Riftzoner saying used in the trade where I came from was.FIAT fix it again tomorrow😂.
Touch wood though never had any problems with Fiat base vehicles.
Click to expand...

After owning a Ducato from new, that was my experience of them!

When I heard they were the most common base chassis I cringed, but had no trouble with the old Hymer Classic, different technology though Lol
 
Upvote 0
royandsharont said:
The new 21/22 Ducato yet to be released may have it instead of the traditional one I understand along with many more electronic changes to the current standard one
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also adealer told it's going to be a different engine and cab in the 2022 model,
 
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