Fiat X290 ABS/Comformatic problems

[StephDeLux]

Oh hell ... maybe we should have stuck with the manual version for our new MH! 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.

 

[Lenny HB]

I have some time this morning - if you want me to do a bit of research like finding the nearest 'professional' dealer is happy to do so. From what I have read so far from the posts it doesn't sound like something a (very) Competent DIYer type of job to me. I also would not want to be stuck on a mountain pass either! So take the medicine and get it looked at. Let me know if you need any help and your rough location.
Actually what 'StephanBosman' mentioned sounds a really good call.

Thanks for the offer, I will see how it goes may steer clear of mountain roads for a bit. I will give the commercial service place I use a ring see if they have come across the problem.

 

[Lanerboy]

You say you are nervous about going into the mountains now but you said you drove it in manual mode and all was fine.

Is there a safe area where you could try going up and down a large hill in both auto then manual mode and see if there is any difference.

If it's ok in manual mode you could limp through part of your holiday in manual when required until you can get to a decent garage to take a look

 

[Lenny HB]

Just spoke to Lancing Commercial. They have not seen that fault but have loads of customers that have had van go into limp mode and have reset after turning ignition off and on. Always on Motorhomes, not surprising as they are always running fully loaded at the vehicles limits.

They suggest see how it goes and when I get back get it to a Fiat dealer for a diagnostic check to see if there are any fault codes stored.

 

[Vipar]

Oil levels?

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

 

[Ditcha]

Something couldn't have been damage when you had the air repaired Lenny?

 

[Lenny HB]

Something couldn't have been damage when you had the air repaired Lenny?

Don't think so it was only replacing an air pipe

 

[Lenny HB]

Risked the mountains yesterday, all good so hopefully just an electronic glitch.

 

[Roger20]

Might it help to do an ECU reset by disconnecting engine AND leIsure batteries and then putting a bulb or similar across the engine leads to drain any residual current? I understood that this can reboot the ECUs which should include the Comfortmatic ECU. There are others who are no doubt more knowledgeable about this but it has worked for me with computers and recently with a Tomtom.

 

[Lenny HB]

Might it help to do an ECU reset by disconnecting engine AND leIsure batteries and then putting a bulb or similar across the engine leads to drain any residual current? I understood that this can reboot the ECUs which should include the Comfortmatic ECU. There are others who are no doubt more knowledgeable about this but it has worked for me with computers and recently with a Tomtom.

As it's running OK now I'll leave well along, hopefully it will OK until we get back at the end of October.

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

 

[Lenny HB]

A bit more confidence now, 5000 ft up a mountain tonight.

We were in a town eairler had to do a hill start on a very steep hill at traffic lights. One front wheel did a bit of a spin but the traction control did not cut in so looking good. Just the useless Michelin CP tyres.

Thinking back to what I thought was a second glitch after it went wrong. I think it was just the Comformatic doing its thing of letting the revs drop off too much before changing up. I was in panic mode at the time. This van rarely does it whereas the last van used to do it all the time.

 

[Happy1]

A bit more confidence now, 5000 ft up a mountain tonight.

We were in a town eairler had to do a hill start on a very steep hill at traffic lights. One front wheel did a bit of a spin but the traction control did not cut in so looking good. Just the useless Michelin CP tyres.

Thinking back to what I thought was a second glitch after it went wrong. I think it was just the Comformatic doing its thing of letting the revs drop off too much before changing up. I was in panic mode at the time. This van rarely does it whereas the last van used to do it all the time.

Was the last van on a different chassis?
Had comfortmatic on a 3.5 upplated to 3.85 and gears changed quite random now on a 4.4 the software more able to cope and getting extra 5mpg

 

[Lenny HB]

Was the last van on a different chassis?
Had comfortmatic on a 3.5 upplated to 3.85 and gears changed quite random now on a 4.4 the software more able to cope and getting extra 5mpg

Last van was on the 3500 chassis with 150 hp.
Current van on 4500 chassis with 150, gear changing is much better on this one hardly ever get the lag from 1st to 2nd but van does slow down a lot more on long inclines but I am pulling about 600kg more.
Does need at least 10,000 miles on it before it starts working properly.

 

[jezport]

Just spoke to Lancing Commercial. They have not seen that fault

This is what I hear every time a comfortmatic has a fault. The problem is there arent enough about for there to be specialists. Even real automatic transmissions can be a problem to diagnose faults at regular dealers, but at least there are a few genuine specialists in the UK.

 

[Lenny HB]

This is what I hear every time a comfortmatic has a fault. The problem is there arent enough about for there to be specialists. Even real automatic transmissions can be a problem to diagnose faults at regular dealers, but at least there are a few genuine specialists in the UK.

They have been making them for 12 years you would think someone would know something about them. Even seems to be pot luck with Fiat dealers.

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

 

[ABZSteve]

Unfortunately not under warranty it's 2½ years old.

That's a shame Lenny, weren't you offered an extended warranty? To answer your question, no, I haven't have the same problem but had only done 9000 miles on the first MoHo and now about 4500 on the second one. The only issue I have is bit of "gear hunting" when sitting at exactly 50mph or 60mph. A couple of mph either way an it's fine. Dealer said to "run it in" first" Good luck

 

[Lenny HB]

Didn't know anything about extended warranty when I bought it 2½ years ago. Not sure if I could have got one as it's a personal import.
Done 21,000 miles now, that was the first glitch.

 

[jezport]

Parkers guide, Maybe its time you traded it in for the new real auto box.

Why is the new nine-speed auto so important for the Ducato?

Automatic transmissions are increasingly sought-after in vans, thanks to their improved ease of use and reduced maintenance costs (no premature clutch wear due to clumsy driving).

The previous Ducato auto wasn’t a very pleasant thing, so to go from that to potentially one of the best on the market is a big deal

Especially for a van that has traditionally done extremely well with motorhome and camper buyers, but has recently begun losing ground to newer vans such as the Volkswagen Crafter – a situation due in no small part to the Crafter’s eight-speed automatic option.

 

[Lenny HB]

Just an update, been home a couple of weeks but not had time to do anything about it yet.

I'm convinced they is a problem with the Traction control electronics, on our last day in Portugal we were leaving the Aire on a good mph whole van starts juddering as the traction control cuts in on both wheels but we kept going this time.
On the way back a couple of times it cut in on one wheel when pulling away on damp surfaces, may have been nothing wrong & doing its job as we have got crap Michelin camping tyres. Trouble is I go into panic mode every time it does. Wouldn't be so bad if you could turn the traction control off but you can't.

Also had other problems with the electronics so it could all be linked.
Once when I pulled up got a message Automatic mode not available, check transmission. Turn ignition off and back on all OK. Also had Check Transmission come up a few times both when stopping and when turning the ignition on.
One morning got Check Transmission followed by Engine coolant is too hot, first thing in the morning with a cold engine, after we drove off cruise control was not working. Stopped turned ignition off & on all OK.

Another little problem when braking hard ore downhill braking get Brake Fluid low warning, fluid level is halfway between min & max, may just be a bit sensitive bleeding annoying as it beeps as well.

I'll try and get some diagnostics run on it before Christmas.

 

[Clarky]

I really hate it when you get those sort of intermittent warnings. It puts you on edge the whole time instead of having a relaxing drive.
Hope you get an answer and a proper cure. It’s probably just a dodgy connection somewhere.
Our van, with Comfortmatic, has just clicked over the 50k mile mark with no gearbox worries..................so far.

Richard.

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

 

[Googlebot]

We had the robo auto boxes on a few IVECO vans at work. They were all at their limit of weight and being Ambulance special incident vans were abused if not well used and driven at speed. Without fail they all had clutch and gearbox issues.

On one occasion up a hill we actually had to empty one of it’s few tons of kit to enable it to make the top and arrange for another vehicle to get the kit. It really put me off having one as I love auto. It just seemed to completely lose power then refused to start off again with the clutch stinking.

Not sure if they are the same boxes, we certainly had no traction control issues and the dealer did seem very good at fixing them so hopefully it is just a glitch that you have caught early.

 

[HandyAndy]

There's always a way to turn it off lenny, even if it means finding a specific loom plug and unplugging the swine.
I had to do this soooooo many times when running stuff on the chassis dyno at work as cars really freak out when the front wheels are doing 100 mph and the rear ar stood still
Very VERY few couldn't be turned off one way or another. Most of the time it was daft combinations of key on key off while holding traction button for 5 secs, etc etc
but a google usually gave me the answer I needed.
If does go completely tits up before you get back, it might be worthwhile arming yourself with this info so you can turn it off for the trip home.. Most systems reset once you switch off though so you'd have to do it every time you started the van.

Christmas tree of lights usually

 

[Lenny HB]

Had the van looked at By a Fiat dealer, a bit of a waste of time me thinks.

Transcript of the day:-

Thursday pm, dealer phones to make sure I will be there and says can you make sure you are on time.

Arrive Friday 10:00 to be told, we have a technician off sick so may be a while before we can start on your van.

Why couldn’t they have phoned/texted to get me to bring the van in a couple of hours later – Grr!

They ring just after 12:00 to say error codes stored show the brake light switch intermittent, this will cause cruise control to turn off and can cause traction control problem, stores closed until 1:00 so can’t find out if switch is in stock.

Phoned just after 1:00 to say switch £25 plus half hour labour to fit, & half hour to road test.

Van ready at 4:00, apart from brake light switch only other code was for the engine coolant overheat, codes have been reset.

What a about the “check transmission fault”

They do things like that you know it’s manual transmission that operated by electronics, I ‘m not that thick.

Service manager has taken the van for a test drive up Portsdown hill, yes the traction control does cut in a lot. - that’s why I bought it in you imbecile.

It’s probably the design of the vehicle Fiat only make the front end you know – Do you think I’m that thick.

It’s done 23,000 miles it didn’t do it for the first 20,000, weight on the front axle is 1930 kg, my last one was 1650 kg the front wheel would spin sometimes on hills but never had problems with the traction control cutting in.

You should get it weighed and you really ought to fit Camping tyres. - Do you not listen?

I just said the front axle weights 1930 kg and it has Camping tyres fitted and I’m thinking of fitting winter tyres.

You need to get it weighed and fit Camping tyres or winter tyres – I’m starting to loose the will to live, Mijhan is getting ready to lynch him.

This van is 300 kg heavier than my last one I didn’t have a problem with that one.

Too much weight on the front end can cause it as well you know – Give me strength.

Then we get to the bill, Can you a discount, as you know Kev of KB brings his lorries here and highly recommended you (daughter’s inlaws who we are staying with just up the road)

OK I can do something I’ll take £50 off the labour.

Then produces the full price invoice.

Where’s the discount?

I knew you would ask for a discount so I’ve already taken it off.

But that is the same hourly rate you quoted on the phone.

That is discounted only £75/hour +vat our normal rate is £104 +vat. Grrr

We give up he has worn us down pay and go.

As we are leaving he says, if it goes wrong again you can bring it back in but we will need it for a week. Christ man you just told me it still does it.
What so you can charge me loads of money for driving about and do nothing.

So I’ve spent £209 to get a switch replaced and a code reset but not got anywhere with the main fault. Get back to Kev & Sonia’s talking to Kev he only gets charges £50 an hour, old story got a Motorhome we can rip you off.

The tyres are getting low it’s done 23,000 so I think new winter tyres before the next trip and fingers crossed.

 

[Googlebot]

Sadly my experience with supposed expert motorhome technicians has been the same. They appear to think you don’t know a thing about how they work and what could be wrong.

Then expect you to be grateful for their efforts!

 

[Phill D]

Lenny HB there are them that "listen" and them that Hear"! he clearly could do niether....

I dont trust any so called Technicians.

had a service manger tell SIL that her car needed a major timing strip and would be in the region of £950 by the time He and i had a discussion it was fixed and driven away within the hour for £170.

they really guess at it and hope we dont notice...

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

 

[SpeedyDux]

This sorry tale reinforces my distrust of the Canbus system. One minor faulty switch, bulb or connector and you can get a cascade of unrelated faults and warnings that are tricky/expensive to chase down and resolve.

Has a connector developed an intermittent resistance thanks to vibration / juddering ... ?

 

[Lenny HB]

It's not played up in the last 1500 miles apart from traction control coming on on one wheel occasionally when wet that's probably down to tyre grip.
I'll just have to see how it goes. If it is a Canbus problem, probably won't find it until it fully goes wrong.

 

[TinaLes]

I agree with SpeedyDux far too much electronic gizmos on these new vehicles, no chance of fixing yourself unless you have all the code readers, and specialist tools in most cases.
£104 per hour labour is extortionate IMHO, and the replacement parts for a Fiat are a rip off also.

I am beginning to think that I had a very lucky escape by cancelling our order for a brand new Swift Bolero with Comfortmatic, and choosing a Carthago with a manual box.
I know Comfortmatics are supposedly great, but not so much when they play up I guess. I really dont mind stirring through the gears manually on the van, until such time as they get a decent DSG 8/10 speed box like on our BMW/Audi then I will stick to the manual option.

This is just another example of finding a good independent garage rather than a Fiat Professional one, problem is like any service provider, you dont know how good any garage is, until you have used them, and then you will hopefully feel they have done a good job at a reasonable price.
Good luck Lenny, hope you get it sorted soon, keep us posted.
LES

 

[Lenny HB]

I agree with SpeedyDux
This is just another example of finding a good independent garage rather than a Fiat Professional one, problem is like any service provider, you dont know how good any garage is, until you have used them, and then you will hopefully feel they have done a good job at a reasonable price.
Good luck Lenny, hope you get it sorted soon, keep us posted.
LES

I normally take it to a local family run independent but they can't read all the codes so they advised me to take it to a Fiat dealer.

 

[TinaLes]

Sounds like Fiat make it difficult and dont want anyone else to be able to read their error codes, how would a breakdown mechanic stand a chance of getting us going again, without recovering to the nearest Fiat Garage, even for a simple issue.
Maybe HandyAndy & others will know more about this.
Not Good eh.?
LES

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