Joined the Comfortmatic failure club

[dunnah01]

Any news ,as it appears to be the computer how often can you use the disconnect battery before ot causes another issue. Maybe its just like turning it on and off again reboot and away. Not the best but if it works hope it's sorted quick for you fingers crossed

I got about 5k miles and 20 various resets before it finally said enough and wouldn't go beyond 1st gear.

 

[MisterB]

I got about 5k miles and 20 various resets before it finally said enough and wouldn't go beyond 1st gear.

Can those who have had issues please add age if vehicle, mileage and whether they have previously had the oil changed in the gearbox please?

It might help 'some' peoples peace of mind and encourage them to have regular oil changes - is there a period of time specified in the vehicle manual?

 

[dunnah01]

Can those who have had issues please add age if vehicle, mileage and whether they have previously had the oil changed in the gearbox please?

It might help 'some' peoples peace of mind and encourage them to have regular oil changes - is there a period of time specified in the vehicle manual?

IIRC the manual only says check fluid level up to 90k and then noting more.

 

[Steve-N]

Mine failed at 10,800 miles, vehicle was 28 mths old, luckily Fiat replaced the whole gearbox and actuator foc, did another 4,700 Mike's without issue, but lost all confidence in its reliability so sold it, now got the 9 speed Auto which is in another league, nothing less than superb !!

 

[dunnah01]

Mine failed at 10,800 miles, vehicle was 28 mths old, luckily Fiat replaced the whole gearbox and actuator foc, did another 4,700 Mike's without issue, but lost all confidence in its reliability so sold it, now got the 9 speed Auto which is in another league, nothing less than superb !!

Do you know if there was a real electrical or mechanical failure or did the dealers just change it all to see if it sorted out the problem? It's very unlikely that both the box and actuators failed at the same time.

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[T22MED]

Unfortunately one of those would be a bit over my budget but I hope it turns out to be reliable for you, ZF have a good reputation I think.

Unfortunately one of those would be a bit over my budget but I hope it turns out to be reliable for you, ZF have a good reputation I think.

Hi I must say that ZF are probably the best gearbox money can buy. The following manufacturers use them. Audi R/S models. BMW will only use ZF. Range Rover, Aston Martin, Bentley, Morgan to name just a few. I’ve had three vehicles with a ZF box and find them a fantastic piece of kit.

 

[Martin How]

The new Fiat auto is a 9 speed ZF box; proper auto and an absolute dream to drive according to those who have one.

Next van will almost certainly have this option

We had one on a hire van in Australia. It was indeed a dream, not a lot faster than our 2000 2.8 iTdi but sure was easier on the hand and foot. Interestingly, not much more economical. 28MPG v 27MPG.

We had never had an AdBlu engine before and I was amazed by the price of it. Seemed expensive at £1.80/l and its 68% water.

 

[Rodders1234]

Glad it sorted, can you remember the error code?

 

[Ditcha]

Hi I must say that ZF are probably the best gearbox money can buy. The following manufacturers use them. Audi R/S models. BMW will only use ZF. Range Rover, Aston Martin, Bentley, Morgan to name just a few. I’ve had three vehicles with a ZF box and find them a fantastic piece of kit.

The only problem is it's married to a Fiat this time

 

[Chris CM]

Our 3.0l Comfortmatic went berserk at about 25k, worked around it by a combination of restarting, resetting parameters with MES and using manual mode for about 20 more limp modes for the next 5k. Finally refused everything in southern Spain at around 30k. Luckily I limped to a motorwaty aire so could try all sort in MES. Managed to get 1st gear but wouldn't go into 2nd no matter what I did until I did the arnagedon ''clutch self-calibratuon enable' routine and voila, all gears and no limp modes or messages. I've done about 12k since then and no problems whatsoever. I've go the confidence back and no longer worry about the dreaded 'gear unavailable' message.

What is MES? Thanks!

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[Kannon Fodda]

What is MES? Thanks!

Multiecuscan - Diagnostics software for Italian cars

Hoping some leads will arrive from the rainforest later today and then I get to try it and see what codes are being thrown out.

 

[poisondwarf]

We had one on a hire van in Australia. It was indeed a dream, not a lot faster than our 2000 2.8 iTdi but sure was easier on the hand and foot. Interestingly, not much more economical. 28MPG v 27MPG.

We had never had an AdBlu engine before and I was amazed by the price of it. Seemed expensive at £1.80/l and its 68% water.

When Aldi have AdBlu in stock it's about £18.00 for 10 litres, so the same cost per litre as you.
I find that is a reasonable price these days.

 

[wp1234]

From other Fiat forums rushing changes in direction as in forward to reverse, braking hard then accelerating can confuse the gear change I’ve read.

Yep that happens on mine …braking suddenly then driving forward throws it right out .Engine off and back on sorts it out though.

 

[Stubas]

What is the "clutch self-calibration routine" all about.

 

[Ditcha]

What is the "clutch self-calibration routine" all about.

It resets the limits due to wear etc.

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[Ditcha]

Multiecuscan - Diagnostics software for Italian cars

Hoping some leads will arrive from the rainforest later today and then I get to try it and see what codes are being thrown out.

You will only need the yellow cable from the Ducato facelift model.

 

[dunnah01]

It resets the limits due to wear etc.

View attachment 745558

Interesting that they have changed the procedure in the later versions of MES. My Version 2.5 has a different procedure which on the face of it will be better as it determines the actual clutch plate transmissibility index under load which seems to be the root of the 'Gear Unavailable' type problems.

 

[Ditcha]

Interesting that they have changed the procedure in the later versions of MES. My Version 2.5 has a different procedure which on the face of it will be better as it determines the actual clutch plate transmissibility index under load which seems to be the root of the 'Gear Unavailable' type problems.

View attachment 745571

That's progressing for you.

 

[WESTY66]

Interesting that they have changed the procedure in the later versions of MES. My Version 2.5 has a different procedure which on the face of it will be better as it determines the actual clutch plate transmissibility index under load which seems to be the root of the 'Gear Unavailable' type problems.

View attachment 745571

I think you could have yourself a part time job doing that calibration reset for folk on here

 

[Nick wright]

Oh dear. Started engine, won't select a gear error message.

Had been fine, drove here this morning no issues. At least currently parked safely.

At least AA breakdown through Comfort may be here in half hour.

I spoke to company called planet gears in Peterborough as I have had two failure’s in two years I just turned the engine off 20 minutes and was ok. Planet gears told me that most of the time it’s something stupid like a break switch. I’ve seen two horror stories on here that have been done by fiat, they want to put a new clutch in and they don’t have the gear to reprogram it. Planet gears seems to know a hell of a lot more than fiat.

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[madkoka]

The new Fiat auto is a 9 speed ZF box; proper auto and an absolute dream to drive according to those who have one.

Next van will almost certainly have this option

Got the new nine speed automatic it’s smooth as silk

 

[CJK]

Our 3.0l Comfortmatic went berserk at about 25k, worked around it by a combination of restarting, resetting parameters with MES and using manual mode for about 20 more limp modes for the next 5k. Finally refused everything in southern Spain at around 30k. Luckily I limped to a motorwaty aire so could try all sort in MES. Managed to get 1st gear but wouldn't go into 2nd no matter what I did until I did the arnagedon ''clutch self-calibratuon enable' routine and voila, all gears and no limp modes or messages. I've done about 12k since then and no problems whatsoever. I've go the confidence back and no longer worry about the dreaded 'gear unavailable' message.

This is good. I live in dread of the Comfomatic gearbox playing up. Our van was in an accident six months ago (still no resolution or repairs despite admitted no fault claim) so there are bound to be problems somewhere along the road. If we ever get it back that is.

 

[CJK]

I spoke to company called planet gears in Peterborough as I have had two failure’s in two years I just turned the engine off 20 minutes and was ok. Planet gears told me that most of the time it’s something stupid like a break switch. I’ve seen two horror stories on here that have been done by fiat, they want to put a new clutch in and they don’t have the gear to reprogram it. Planet gears seems to know a hell of a lot more than fiat.

Name noted!

 

[WESTY66]

I spoke to company called planet gears in Peterborough as I have had two failure’s in two years I just turned the engine off 20 minutes and was ok. Planet gears told me that most of the time it’s something stupid like a break switch. I’ve seen two horror stories on here that have been done by fiat, they want to put a new clutch in and they don’t have the gear to reprogram it. Planet gears seems to know a hell of a lot more than fiat.

I can see that (that’s why I carry a spare brake switch)
Thing is How many failures on here are actually mechanical?
How many are sensors?
How many are software issues?
Thing is if it’s mechanical I can’t see switching it off and on again is gonna mend it, so therefore unless it’s mechanical maybe, just maybe the box doesn’t have to come out? Maybe a sensor replaced or software/calibration done.
I’m all cases it’s probably best left to them that KNOW what they are doing!
Btw I know NOTHING about them

 

[Nick wright]

Name noted!

The comfortmatic is not classified as a full automatic it’s manual with a computer arm that changes the gears

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[Nick wright]

I can see that (that’s why I carry a spare brake switch)
Thing is How many failures on here are actually mechanical?
How many are sensors?
How many are software issues?
Thing is if it’s mechanical I can’t see switching it off and on again is gonna mend it, so therefore unless it’s mechanical maybe, just maybe the box doesn’t have to come out? Maybe a sensor replaced or software/calibration done.
I’m all cases it’s probably best left to them that KNOW what they are doing!
Btw I know NOTHING about them

Thats what planet gears told me, sometimes to reset the something you have to do things like lock and unlocked the doos via the remote key. Think some people have maybe wasted a lot of money with fiat

 

[Pedro Pallent]

The new Fiat auto is a 9 speed ZF box; proper auto and an absolute dream to drive according to those who have one.

Next van will almost certainly have this option

I agree totally the new ZF boxes are a dream to drive.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I agree totally the new ZF boxes are a dream to drive.

Had an 8 speed ZF in the Jaaaag which was lovely, so looking forward to the experience when we get around to moving on from our beloved Le Voyageur

 

[jongood]

Personally I can't see the point of using complicated electronics and actuators to do tasks you can easily complete yourself, usually with better results. Throw automatics in the trash can along with Active Cruise Control, Lane departure Control, Stop Start and keyless ignition.

 

[Oinkoink]

I have a comformatic new to this only done a couple of thousand miles, have always left foot braked when driving proper automatics, soon found this is very intolerant if you touch the brake before your foot leaves the accelerator, straight into limp mode, a little disconcerting! Now I am aware of this I am more careful

Unfortunately one of those would be a bit over my budget but I hope it turns out to be reliable for you, ZF have a good reputation I think.

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