Joined the Comfortmatic failure club

[Kannon Fodda]

Rainforest leads turned up. Won't connect. Windows 11 Device Manager doesn't seem to show any oddities of unrecognised things, albeit the leads didn't have any software / drivers (there was a CD but that was broken and anyways how many people have CDs provided with modern laptops, and no instructions for any download). Multicuscan kept saying it needed a ELM327/ODB device. Obviously I have no idea why although there are a number of references on the Multicuscan site that many ELM327 ODB readers have incorrect internal wiring for Fiat vehicles.

I think I'm destined not to resolve this and hoping I can speak to someone knowledgeable, who can look, at it in a reasonable time scale when things reopen Tuesday. From that you will realise Adams Morey Portsmouth didn't call back.

At this time, distance to get somewhere for a repair isn't the concern. This is assuming that for one final time the trick of disconnecting battery gets it to then start and run.

 

[Ditcha]

Rainforest leads turned up. Won't connect. Windows 11 Device Manager doesn't seem to show any oddities of unrecognised things, albeit the leads didn't have any software / drivers (there was a CD but that was broken and anyways how many people have CDs provided with modern laptops, and no instructions for any download). Multicuscan kept saying it needed a ELM327/ODB device. Obviously I have no idea why although there are a number of references on the Multicuscan site that many ELM327 ODB readers have incorrect internal wiring for Fiat vehicles.

I think I'm destined not to resolve this and hoping I can speak to someone knowledgeable, who can look, at it in a reasonable time scale when things reopen Tuesday. From that you will realise Adams Morey Portsmouth didn't call back.

At this time, distance to get somewhere for a repair isn't the concern. This is assuming that for one final time the trick of disconnecting battery gets it to then start and run.

Rob I bought one of these works great.

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[dunnah01]

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.

Different but not always better results

 

[Ditcha]

These are good as well

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[dunnah01]

I went through all sorts of leads before realising that the Gendan ones are the best solution.

Rainforest leads turned up. Won't connect. Windows 11 Device Manager doesn't seem to show any oddities of unrecognised things, albeit the leads didn't have any software / drivers (there was a CD but that was broken and anyways how many people have CDs provided with modern laptops, and no instructions for any download). Multicuscan kept saying it needed a ELM327/ODB device. Obviously I have no idea why although there are a number of references on the Multicuscan site that many ELM327 ODB readers have incorrect internal wiring for Fiat vehicles.

I think I'm destined not to resolve this and hoping I can speak to someone knowledgeable, who can look, at it in a reasonable time scale when things reopen Tuesday. From that you will realise Adams Morey Portsmouth didn't call back.

At this time, distance to get somewhere for a repair isn't the concern. This is assuming that for one final time the trick of disconnecting battery gets it to then start and run.

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[JockandRita]

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

Although maybe said in jest, I ditto that Ade, and genuinely think that it would be well received, and have a good take up from many.

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

Although not afflicted in any way by the Fiat Comfortmatic, or the Iveco/Mercedes equivalent, I find that situation to be an absolute nonsense for any driver/owner.

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.

My sentiments exactly Jon. I definitely don't see it as progress at all.

Cheers,

Jock.

 

[CJK]

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

I know; I was hoping that you could just get rid of the computer arm bit of it (being a woman of little comprehension) but it seems to be more complicated than that.

 

[Steve-N]

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.

It was the actuator that actually failed, the Alloy casting split and leaked hydraulic fluid into the main gearbox, it was actually 3 mths out of warranty but I insisted that the whole unit be changed and Fiat bowed (to my surprise)
They know there is a major issue with these and I used the "not fit for the purpose intended" clause in under the consumer rights legislation.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

From that you will realise Adams Morey Portsmouth didn't call back.

Following this thread with interest and feel your pain and frustration in wanting it sorted.
To be fair to the repairer who you are considering using, and I have no affiliation to them, you placed a call with them late Friday pm, on a bank holiday week-end.
I am not surprised you have not heard back from them yet.
Give them a chance, they probably need a break like everyone else who works hard.
I am sure they will be in touch after the Bank Holiday .
I personally do not know of any mechanical repair businesses or garages/ mechanics etc working 24/7 other than breakdown and recovery only.
Anyway, good luck and genuinely hope you get it sorted and can have peace of mind.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Following this thread with interest and feel your pain and frustration in wanting it sorted.
To be fair to the repairer who you are considering using, and I have no affiliation to them, you placed a call with them late Friday pm, on a bank holiday week-end.
I am not surprised you have not heard back from them yet.
Give them a chance, they probably need a break like everyone else who works hard.
I am sure they will be in touch after the Bank Holiday .
I personally do not know of any mechanical repair businesses or garages/ mechanics etc working 24/7 other than breakdown and recovery only.
Anyway, good luck and genuinely hope you get it sorted and can have peace of mind.

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[Pausim]

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

That is just an opinion. Automatic is a function not the mechanical process for achieving it. Some of the best auto boxes have external actuators and clutches rather than internal ones and torque converters. The best auto box I have ever driven is the Audi DSG which is not a traditional torque converter one.

 

[CazPaul]

Why would they make things so complicated it’s beyond me, you can understand to some extent doing it for emissions, but a gearbox.

Give me an old fashioned manual any day, simple is best.

 

[Carpmart]

That is just an opinion. Automatic is a function not the mechanical process for achieving it. Some of the best auto boxes have external actuators and clutches rather than internal ones and torque converters. The best auto box I have ever driven is the Audi DSG which is not a traditional torque converter one.

And yet I think this is the worst ‘automatic’ box ever. The Mechatronics units are way to fragile and complicated… managed to kill three boxes in two years in my track car.

 

[Jackd]

Why would they make things so complicated it’s beyond me, you can understand to some extent doing it for emissions, but a gearbox.

Give me an old fashioned manual any day, simple is best.

My thoughts exactly.
But that makes me a dinosaur apparently

 

[Just smiffy]

I have no choice but an auto….

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[Ditcha]

My thoughts exactly.
But that makes me a dinosaur apparently

I have been after a "Fred Flinstone" car, non of this modern stuff but apparently my legs are not up to it

 

[CazPaul]

I have no choice but an auto….

Yes quite a lot the same, but it’s the designers that need a strong word with.

 

[Steve and Denise]

Whatever will they come up with next ?
Electric Start

 

[ChrisL]

I personally do not know of any mechanical repair businesses or garages/ mechanics etc working 24/7

Just for information if anyone is really stuck and are near Heathrow, Cordwallis Heathrow and Rygor Commercials (Mercedes specialist) run night shifts, although you may need to phone during normal hours to get booked in.

 

[dunnah01]

Why would they make things so complicated it’s beyond me, you can understand to some extent doing it for emissions, but a gearbox.

Give me an old fashioned manual any day, simple is best.

Not when you're sat in stop start motorway traffic for 3-4 hrs a day, as I was for about 5 years of my working life. The clog dancing of a manual was a right PITA

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[Kannon Fodda]

I've been driving these robotised auto gearboxes for years. In my area you get stuck in traffic jams on the shortest of trips, it's just so much easier. I could drive manual, but why?

First was one of the original Selespeeds including flappy paddle options on an Alfa back in 2000. Rarely used the paddles and let the system do it's own thing. Since had a DSG type in a VW Toran, and then Ford's Powershift in a C-Max. Note the Comfortmatic is Selespeed under the hood just rebranded, but reading between the lines if the system was designed for the weight of the car, did it get adequately upsized for the weight of the heavily laden motorhome?

Now if you want horrible autos then it has to be the CVT types. Had one on a Peugeot 306 that sucked away whatever life there wasn't in the engine. Even the system on the Toyota C-HR Hybrid seemed to result in a lot of engine revving if you tried to accelerate.

Meanwhile, yes it probably was unrealistic to expect there would be a phone call back on later Friday afternoon from the repairer. Even so at moment I am stuck and concerned to find a way forward. If I do need to get booked in somewhere, I'd like to know I'm in the queue and won't be jumped by say someone who phones first thing as they open on Tuesday. In the meantime can I use the vehicle? Is it even appropriate for me to continue the workaround of battery disconnection?

 

[Jackd]

I could drive manual, but why?

Because all of the gears are there all of the time. Simples.

 

[WESTY66]

Because all of the gears are there all of the time. Simples.

Till the cables snap or the clutch goes

 

[WESTY66]

I’m sure I once read on here that a high percentage of comfortmatic problems had a 2.3L engine at the side of it
Yes I know there are more 2.3L engines out there but could there be something in it?? Who knows
I’ve had 2 comfortmatics, both coupled up to 3.0L zero glitches

 

[Jackd]

Till the cables snap or the clutch goes

A cable can be replaced myself & a clutch can be fitted in a morning.

Very few experts available on comformatic contraptions

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[tonyidle]

That is just an opinion. Automatic is a function not the mechanical process for achieving it. Some of the best auto boxes have external actuators and clutches rather than internal ones and torque converters. The best auto box I have ever driven is the Audi DSG which is not a traditional torque converter one.

A DSG box cannot be compared to a robotic manual. The robotic manual is a "sophisticated" conversion of a normal manual gearbox. The DSG has twin clutches and preselects the next gear needed. Changes are almost imperceptible and very fast.

 

[WESTY66]

A cable can be replaced myself & a clutch can be fitted in a morning.

Very few experts available on comformatic contraptions

That’s very true Brian but how many are mis diagnosed? As you say very few people that actually know what they’re doing, but we still only hear about the ones with problems, which could be a very low percentage of vehicles out there (vans included) running the box!
Weren’t there a few problems with clutch pedals dropping to the floor a while back?

 

[MichaelT]

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.

May as well go back to horse and carts then!

 

[Jackd]

Weren’t there a few problems with clutch pedals dropping to the floor a while back?

There was. If I remember correctly, he managed to drive it for a couple of days until he found a repairer and had a new clutch fitted.
Try doing that when the dashboard tells you “no gears available”

I too love automatics just not robotised manuals. They’re not to be trusted.

 

[WESTY66]

I too love automatics just not robotised manuals. They’re not to be trusted.

Better save your pennies for the new ZF box then

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