Is this the end?

[Wildbill]

Bill, people drive them like a true liquid auto. They are nothing like one.
You have to drive them as they are, a electronic gear change!
Strangley enough certain parts of the pfa group call these boxes just that. If the box isn’t changing correctly for you, use the manual selector.
No with the 3.0 but with the same tech box I covered well over 100k and drove it very quick, but I used the flappy paddles that mine had.
Remember these box’s haven’t had much change in ages that’s why people think the zf box is so good- it’s a different type

Went right over my head that if it's automatic box it drive and go is ther any other way to drive it
Bill

 

[SpeedyDux]

Went right over my head that if it's automatic box it drive and go is ther any other way to drive it
Bill

You should drive the ComfortMatic on the assumption that in Auto mode there is a grumpy Gnome sitting on the gearbox who will shift the gears and clutch in his own good time, and doesn't like to be rushed.

 

[Wildbill]

You should drive the ComfortMatic on the assumption that in Auto mode there is a grumpy Gnome sitting on the gearbox who will shift the gears and clutch in his own good time, and doesn't like to be rushed.

Bit like me then
Bill

 

[Just smiffy]

I believe there are more problems with the comformatic on the 2.2 engine then the 3.0….

 

[Roby2008]

How about a poll of Funsters who have or have had ComfortMatic gearboxes? Or a spreadsheet?

We would need to have categories for the X250 and X290 vans and their engines. MTPLM and mileage too. We need to know whether the problem was diagnosed properly as due to the ECU, or actuators / hydraulics, or clutch / dual mass flywheel failure. The latter being an isolated problem with some MHers with 6 speed manual gearboxes.

I feel sorry for the unlucky owners who have posted about their problems and the apparent inability of some Fiat workshops to diagnose and fix the issues quickly and relatively cheaply. Including the set-up and calibration procedure being applied incompetently as WESTY66 said. These are sorry tales of woe, but a figure such as 25% is only speculation or guesswork.

My concern is that this kind of anecdotal experience is giving rise to a general phobia about ComfortMatics that will hit residual values for those who have reliable ones. Dealers will grab any excuse to mark down trade-ins.

Good idea, my 2013 X250 based MH did a shade under 100k km with no problems with the auto box, had a mind of its own in the mountains though, Changing gear mid hairpin.....learned to use the 'manual' setting soon enough and it was fine....New MH will be auto too, arthritis in the hands negates having a manual.

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[funflair]

No she’s not, she’s still grafting in Egypt, she was better than that pile of s##t that replaced it but hey ho!

I still think it’s the nearest thing I’ve driven that resembles the comfortmatic gearbox. As I’ve said I have the comfortmatic in my moho, but I’d be scared to death of having an agile that’s fitter to the Iveco!
Different boxs, same principle, same/different fears

IVECO now ZF 8 speed and has been for a few years although there was a problem with the early ones as the torque converter drive plate could split and smash the gearbox so anybody buying an early one "take care"

 

[WESTY66]

IVECO now ZF 8 speed and has been for a few years although there was a problem with the early ones as the torque converter drive plate could split and smash the gearbox so anybody buying an early one "take care"

It seems there’s perils with every auto
If I win big on lotto I’m taking my class 2 and buying a Volvo FH16 750 motorhome with the bomb proof I-shift
Yes Martin funflair it will have Alcoa durabrite alloys on it

 

[funflair]

It seems there’s perils with every auto
If I win big on lotto I’m taking my class 2 and buying a Volvo FH16 750 motorhome with the bomb proof I-shift
Yes Martin funflair it will have Alcoa durabrite alloys on it

Of course

 

[dhall26]

So many report issues with this auto box.
What is considered the BEST auto box in which vehicle chassis.?

New Ducato with 9 speed ZF box. Brilliant!

 

[dhall26]

Went right over my head that if it's automatic box it drive and go is ther any other way to drive it
Bill

Yes

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[Al n Val]

New Ducato with 9 speed ZF box. Brilliant!

I agree
we had a 180bhp with Comformatic box for 3 years with no issues whatsoever tbh but new same engine with the new 9sp is superb

Al

 

[DumfriesDik]

I am not happy with North East Truck and Van. Just the lack of any communication and explanation of what may or may not be required. I am not getting a good feeling that my pride and joy is in good hands.

So, does anyone have experience or know of Mackie Transmission Engineers or Caledonian Gearboxes both in Glasgow? If you would rather PM me, I'd be obliged.

Bringing the motorhome back home tomorrow, it has been away for a week and a problem has been identified.

 

[1967bowesj]

What problem have they told you it could be?

 

[DumfriesDik]

What problem have they told you it could be?

They haven’t.

I had the two error codes from a garage in Ireland when the problem originated.

 

[dunnah01]

So, does anyone have experience or know of Mackie Transmission Engineers or Caledonian Gearboxes both in Glasgow? If you would rather PM me, I'd be obliged.

No experience of either but they both seem to be gearbox removal, repair, refit setups. It's very unlikely that the F40 gearbox in the Comfortmatic will be the problem and neither garage is likely to have the specialist knowledge or equipment to setup the Comfortmatic actuators. I would be scared of them charging £2-3k for taking out the gearbox, finding nothing, and just diagnosing a random, non specific 'clutch problem' (usually involving some plastic bit from a spring) and replacing it. This will get you about 15-20k miles again but not address the self adjust setup problem.

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[WESTY66]

So the big question remains!!!!!

Who is the “GO TO” person for setting up a comfortmatic and any subsequent repairs or for servicing? There’s always someone in a specific “field” to go to, eg Vanbitz for security, Mick at SAP for all things suspension, Lenny HB for all things electrical

 

[Monty777]

My previous Hymer had the automated manual box from Mercedes-Sprintshift-I read loads of horror stories about this box but in 7 years and about 40,000 miles we only ever had one issue. We were on our way to Denmark and by the time we reached the M11-about 20 miles-it wouldn’t change automatically and the power reduced. The only way to get it going again was to do a computer reset-eg, pull over, turn off and re-start-it would then be ok for about 50 to 100 miles. Since we would be driving through Germany I figured my best option would be to find a truck dealer there. The first one plugged it into their tester and could see a fault but had no idea what caused it……. They advised us to go to a much bigger dealer about 30 miles further on who were brilliant-they drove it into their workshop over a pit, connected the tester, diagnosed the problem and said the part was going to be about 400euros and they could get it there in an hour by taxi! I authorised that and about 45 minutes later we could hear someone under the van (we were still in it) and it was fixed. An actuator had failed but re-setting it kept jolting it back into life-brilliant service.

 

[Pausim]

For those in the south I was very impressed by Adams Morey, Portsmouth (Fiat Professional). The motorhome reached them on a Friday afternoon and there were no vacant workshop slots until the end of the next week. However the workshop manager worked on it himself on the Saturday and after several hours he found the fault. It turned out not to be the Comfortmatic but damage to the wiring harness caused by a construction mistake. Ready for pick up on the Monday morning.

The downside is their hourly rate which is very high. He discounted the labour rate as much as he could and apologised that the 5 year Fiat warranty did not cover a Carthago mistake, which is reasonable enough. He did provide pictures and a full written explanation so I could take it up with the dealer/Carthago. I decided not to throw my toys out of the pram and politely emailed Chelston Motorhomes with the evidence asking if they could help. They did and within a week Carthago had refunded the cost.

I always try to stay nice and show gratitude where I can. I find people more helpful when you don’t spoil their day.

I will use Adams Morey again for my next service to keep the 5 year warranty going, even though they are very expensive. After that I will certainly get them to sort out any complex Fiat issues that may arise. They know what they are doing and specialist kit needs specialist attention. Unfortunately these days everything seems to be specialist kit.

 

[dunnah01]

For those in the south I was very impressed by Adams Morey, Portsmouth (Fiat Professional). The motorhome reached them on a Friday afternoon and there were no vacant workshop slots until the end of the next week. However the workshop manager worked on it himself on the Saturday and after several hours he found the fault. It turned out not to be the Comfortmatic but damage to the wiring harness caused by a construction mistake. Ready for pick up on the Monday morning.

The downside is their hourly rate which is very high. He discounted the labour rate as much as he could and apologised that the 5 year Fiat warranty did not cover a Carthago mistake, which is reasonable enough. He did provide pictures and a full written explanation so I could take it up with the dealer/Carthago. I decided not to throw my toys out of the pram and politely emailed Chelston Motorhomes with the evidence asking if they could help. They did and within a week Carthago had refunded the cost.

I always try to stay nice and show gratitude where I can. I find people more helpful when you don’t spoil their day.

I will use Adams Morey again for my next service to keep the 5 year warranty going, even though they are very expensive. After that I will certainly get them to sort out any complex Fiat issues that may arise. They know what they are doing and specialist kit needs specialist attention. Unfortunately these days everything seems to be specialist kit.

If the wiring was under the bulkhead by the wiper motor it should be a 5 min job for the pros to find it.

 

[Tony50]

I'm told Camper UK are the experts on Comfortmatic, I have no experience of them myself.
As a Ex garage owner my advice would be do your homework £3500 seems a lot of money to me, I have turned away work because of my lack of knowledge on some problems. Even if you have to travel to get the right diagnosis is worth it.I had a Comfortmatic and admit to taking out extra warranty, it never went wrong ,but, by choice I wanted a automatic, but I still think they are a Bodge up, seen loads of manual gearboxes automated none really successful .Now sold mine !!

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[roadwarrior]

we wanted an auto but heard too many bad things and looked at the 9 speed version that came out in 2018 i think but we found a lovely autosleeper merc which apparently fit the 7 speed auto since 2014 - anyway we read the comments by owners and deceided to dodge that particular bullet. - 3500 quid is outragous - get a recon. I am sorry for your bad fortune though, thats why places like this forum are priceless. I am learning so much here.

 

[gus-lopez]

I know a kid with a 3.0L comfortmatic work van that’s done 250k miles and never had a spanner on it other than servicing and consumables.

Back in 2019 when I was looking for a van to convert i came across a Fiat xlwb 3.0l , comfortomatic,exactly 4 years old with full service history but thought that there was a mistake with the price ............until I saw the 889,000 kms

Cannot it not be held in 5th and used until an exchange box can be sourced at a decent price?

There's nothng apparently wrong with the box but appears the hydraulic selector s have a problem?

but I’d be scared to death of having an agile that’s fitter to the Iveco!

yes that used to be even worse. the amount of tidy Ivecos I found(hard finding anything decent here in spain) & when I delved they had agiles.

Went right over my head that if it's automatic box it drive and go is ther any other way to drive it
Bill

It is a manual gearbox operated by hydraulic actuators ,sensors, magic & potions

So the big question remains!!!!!

Who is the “GO TO” person for setting up a comfortmatic and any subsequent repairs or for servicing? There’s always someone in a specific “field” to go to, eg Vanbitz for security, Mick at SAP for all things suspension, Lenny HB for all things electrical

dunnah01

 

[Tony50]

Back in 2019 when I was looking for a van to convert i came across a Fiat xlwb 3.0l , comfortomatic,exactly 4 years old with full service history but thought that there was a mistake with the price ............until I saw the 889,000 kms

There's nothng apparently wrong with the box but appears the hydraulic selector s have a problem?

yes that used to be even worse. the amount of tidy Ivecos I found(hard finding anything decent here in spain) & when I delved they had agiles.

It is a manual gearbox operated by hydraulic actuators ,sensors, magic & potions

dunnah01

Like I said he's got to do some homework or more than one person on here who have had Comfortmatic repairs. Some repairers will say they can fix it and take your money we are not all like that. I wish I could've more helpful

 

[Pausim]

If the wiring was under the bulkhead by the wiper motor it should be a 5 min job for the pros to find it.

Carthago paid the bill without querying the time charged so they obviously thought it was more than a 5 minute job.

The only code they had to work with said that the fly by wire gear lever was not talking to the fly by wire gearbox. There is a lot of wiring to check and no guidance to say which bit of the wiring loom was damaged. The fault was on the back of one arm of the loom where it had chaffed through the binding and two of the wires, somewhere high above the brake pedal under the dashboard. It should have been secured in a different position.

 

[dunnah01]

Carthago paid the bill without querying the time charged so they obviously thought it was more than a 5 minute job.

The only code they had to work with said that the fly by wire gear lever was not talking to the fly by wire gearbox. There is a lot of wiring to check and no guidance to say which bit of the wiring loom was damaged. The fault was on the back of one arm of the loom where it had chaffed through the binding and two of the wires, somewhere high above the brake pedal under the dashboard. It should have been secured in a different position.
View attachment 677613

Looks like the wiper mechanism chafing problem seen many times.

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[Pausim]

Looks like the wiper mechanism chafing problem seen many times.

Having searched for this problem I can find some references to this happening under the bonnet but not under the dash board. At the time I was told it was something to do with the wiring rubbing on a brake pedal mounting or bracket and it certainly involved something Carthago did, not a Fiat issue. I have no reason to believe it had anything to do with the wiper mechanism or that it should have been a 5 minute job.

 

[dunnah01]

Having searched for this problem I can find some references to this happening under the bonnet but not under the dash board. At the time I was told it was something to do with the wiring rubbing on a brake pedal mounting or bracket and it certainly involved something Carthago did, not a Fiat issue. I have no reason to believe it had anything to do with the wiper mechanism or that it should have been a 5 minute job.

If your motorhome is an A-Class then the dashboard probably extends over the original firewall where the standard wiper mechanism is mounted which may be where the confusion is. I doubt Fiat build special base chassis models for Cathargo motorhomes but I'm only guessing tbh. It would be odd for another wiring loom to be installed and still chafe against something.

 

[DumfriesDik]

Okay, I have spoken with 'my' garage and they would use Mackies in Glasgow. I spoke with Mackies and they will not touch the comfortmatic and suggested Fiat Professional, which is where the van has been for a week. I called NETV and there are no technicians available, they're all busy out on jobs.

I fear that we are going to have to use them, but I have little confidence.

 

[Pausim]

If your motorhome is an A-Class then the dashboard probably extends over the original firewall where the standard wiper mechanism is mounted which may be where the confusion is. I doubt Fiat build special base chassis models for Cathargo motorhomes but I'm only guessing tbh. It would be odd for another wiring loom to be installed and still chafe against something.

I don’t think it was a new bit of wiring loom, just the repositioning of the existing one and poor securing. None of the other pictures show any moving wiper parts, the chaffing appears to have been against a fixed part that is bolted at both ends. If there is a known problem with chaffing against wiper parts they probably went there first and excluded that from their investigation. I can’t believe that Cathargo coughed up a few hundred £s for a known 5 minute job, they must have been convinced something more difficult was involved. I don’t doubt Chelston, a Fiat Professional dealership that deals with lots of motorhomes also looked at the pictures before passing the matter on to Carthago.

I still believe I got good service from Adams Morey and don’t see why you are questioning this.

 

[IRHP]

I am not happy with North East Truck and Van. Just the lack of any communication and explanation of what may or may not be required. I am not getting a good feeling that my pride and joy is in good hands.

So, does anyone have experience or know of Mackie Transmission Engineers or Caledonian Gearboxes both in Glasgow? If you would rather PM me, I'd be obliged.

Bringing the motorhome back home tomorrow, it has been away for a week and a problem has been identified.

I'd ask them how familiar they are with the comfortmatic and how confident they would be working on it. There's a very good garage in Prestwick, Raes Autos. Phil does know about the comfortmatic, I'd give them a call and see what they say. They are also members if the Approved WorkshopScheme and deal with motorhomes.

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