Joined the Comfortmatic failure club

[SteveRallye]

I agree with the bring back the 3ltr proposal, currently got the 2.3 150bhp and its adequate but the long climbs in Normandy seem a lot longer and more changing down than the 3ltr Comformatic on our 1st Fiat van. Got 40k out of it before clutch change on that van. That was when I had the 1st and only problem with the Comformatic 6mths after fitting. On campsite in Spain and on day of departure one week later could not get any gears and on pitch sideways between trees (easy with a PVC). Usual restart to try and reboot. Managed to off the pitch then no gears again. Luckily reception liased with the Spanish breakdown driver and he took us to a Fiat professional garage 20 miles away. They straight away said the clutch had gone till I told them it had been replaced 6mth previous. So they recomended a local restaurant for lunch whilst they investigated. 2 hours later we walked back to garage and they said we think we have found the problem, go for a coffee, so went 200 yds down the road just finished our coffees and our van came driving past us. as we got back they said it was a hairline crack in the transmission fluid resovoir, it would be Tuesday before they could get the part (this was Friday) but had done a temporary repair with plastic padding and were just going to pressure test it. One hour and150euros later we were on our way. Actually finished our touring holiday and got the new part fitted 3m months and 1500 miles later. Our current van has the comformatic and no problems so far at 20k.

 

[WESTY66]

I shift is definitely the best, shame you cant get a v8 Volvo though

You won’t be getting any V8 scanias soon, I read somewhere they’re doing away with the V8 which is a shame cos they sound awesome with straight pipes on
BTW I’m not a truck driver, more a truck geek although I did drive an 8x8 Terberg (Volvo F12 cab) with 16 speed for a while, and also a 8x8 Terberg with F7 cab, but that had an Allison auto transmission

 

[Silver-Fox]

The best auto box I have ever driven is the Audi DSG which is not a traditional torque converter one.

They haven’t been without their issues either.

 

[Carpmart]

I have fond memories of the E 60 M 5 with the SMG gearbox as you say very good when pressing on as was the earlier SMG in a previous M3 my current M5 has the ZF gearbox and it really is good smooth and easy to use but I do miss the connection you get with a manual gearbox feels like you are more in control

Yes loved the E60 M5…I’ve had quite a few M5’s…. E39 stands out TBH, but so does my last F10 (had two). I was going to get an F90 and pre ordered, but got cold feet and frankly didn’t need one, so bought an old E46 M3, which was quite good fun

 

[Carpmart]

They haven’t been without their issues either.

As per earlier post, the Mechatronics units in DSGs are terrible. IMHO, not a good box

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[AlunandFelicie]

Well our conformatic got us out of the field in Dorset after a lot of wheel spin and a push from Branford rugby team
have to see how it performs on Thursday on our next escapade

 

[Pausim]

They haven’t been without their issues either.

Neither have the traditional torque converter boxes. My VW Golf auto had a slipping belt and when they go wrong there are no easy or cheap solutions, makes solving Comfortmatic issues look simple.

 

[MisterB]

A fine example of a thread 'Morphing' from offering advice and solutions on how to resolve a problem someone is currently having......

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Booked in with Adams Morey for Monday 15th May (earliest they could do with all the bank holidays). Let's just hope I can get it to start into gear one last time.

 

[Coolcats]

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

Zeppelin make fabulous gear box’s

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[Silver-Fox]

Neither have the traditional torque converter boxes. My VW Golf auto had a slipping belt and when they go wrong there are no easy or cheap solutions, makes solving Comfortmatic issues look simple.

As with everything you have a percentage of failures.

Personally I’d take a torque converter over a gearbox controlled by a “brain”

 

[WESTY66]

Zeppelin make fabulous gear box’s

Crap airships though

 

[Pausim]

As with everything you have a percentage of failures.

Personally I’d take a torque converter over a gearbox controlled by a “brain”

Modern torque converter gearboxes are also controlled by an electronic “brain.” Sometimes called a TCU (Transmission Control Unit) which I suspect may be incorporated in the ECU. Either way there is no escaping a “brain.”

Explanation of a car TCU - ACTRONICS LTD

How does the TCU work? In this article we would like to explain the workings of a TCU and explain what sort of fault might develop. Read more.>

www.actronics.co.uk

 

[dunnah01]

As with everything you have a percentage of failures.

Personally I’d take a torque converter over a gearbox controlled by a “brain”

Time will tell but having to squeeze 3 or 4 more gears into the box to overcome the inherent inefficiencies of a torque converter can't be the best solution for gearbox robustness, and they are still controlled by an Italian brain.

 

[davidroxburgh]

You made the right choice in my non-technical opinion!

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[Larrynwin]

Time will tell but having to squeeze 3 or 4 more gears into the box to overcome the inherent inefficiencies of a torque converter can't be the best solution for gearbox robustness, and they are still controlled by an Italian brain.

Best in reverse then ?

 

[Silver-Fox]

Modern torque converter gearboxes are also controlled by an electronic “brain.” Sometimes called a TCU (Transmission Control Unit) which I suspect may be incorporated in the ECU. Either way there is no escaping a “brain.”

Explanation of a car TCU - ACTRONICS LTD

How does the TCU work? In this article we would like to explain the workings of a TCU and explain what sort of fault might develop. Read more.>

www.actronics.co.uk

Unfortunately I didn’t clarify, I prefer older torque converter autos.

Had one or two and never had a problem

 

[Kannon Fodda]

So I now have a working scan thingy thanks to Gendan Automotive. Multiecuscan is throwing out the attached error:

Basically, something is broke

 

[Carpmart]

So I now have a working scan thingy thanks to Gendan Automotive. Multiecuscan is throwing out the attached error:
View attachment 747153
Basically, something is broke

Your battery voltage is very low?

 

[Kannon Fodda]

I'd been fiddling with ignition on for a good half hour prior to taking that screenshot, so had probably pulled it well down. I'd checked a couple of days ago with multimeter across the battery terminals, and also across the engine compartment jump start terminals and that had shown 12.5 - 12.6V ish.

Engine battery is also trickle charged from the leisure battery which is on solar via battery master, so should not get flattened. But after half an hour or so should the engine battery have lost that much voltage? Suggests it may not be holding a decent charge? But like rest of van it's coming up on four years old so wouldn't yet expect it to be failing, given it's never flattened.

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[dunnah01]

So I now have a working scan thingy thanks to Gendan Automotive. Multiecuscan is throwing out the attached error:
View attachment 747153
Basically, something is broke

I'd clear it initially and see if it throws the same code again or something different next time.

 

[Howard B]

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

Im not over impressed with mine. Doesnt change up or down when i think it should, sometimes seem to be slipping when i accelerate.
Not a patch on the DSG fitted to my car. Maybe it will improve when i get some miles on it.

 

[SpeedyDux]

I'd been fiddling with ignition on for a good half hour prior to taking that screenshot, so had probably pulled it well down. I'd checked a couple of days ago with multimeter across the battery terminals, and also across the engine compartment jump start terminals and that had shown 12.5 - 12.6V ish.

Engine battery is also trickle charged from the leisure battery which is on solar via battery master, so should not get flattened. But after half an hour or so should the engine battery have lost that much voltage? Suggests it may not be holding a decent charge? But like rest of van it's coming up on four years old so wouldn't yet expect it to be failing, given it's never flattened.

Looks like your starter battery might be in need of replacement. How much that voltage drop affects the Comfortmatic ECU, I can't say, but it would be enough to make the airbag ECU throw a wobbly.

 

[AlunandFelicie]

First drive for mine tomorrow after a wheel spinning festival weekend
planning a drive up to Scotland then over to NI down to Eire to see my sister and back !!! Madness I tell you !!
we’ll see how far we get

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Looks like your starter battery might be in need of replacement. How much that voltage drop affects the Comfortmatic ECU, I can't say, but it would be enough to make the airbag ECU throw a wobbly.

Yep I'm just looking at the voltages again.

Across battery terminals after a rest from earlier, no load 12.6V
Turn ignition to MAR, engine nor started battery drops to 12.2V. Multiucescan reports only 12.0V.

Trying to look up battery on line, registration is not recognised. 2019 Ducato 2.3 130bhp comfortmatic.

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[ChrisL]

Have you checked the engine earth strap? Perhaps removing it cleaning the ends and where it bolts too and refit it and see if that helps.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Have you checked the engine earth strap? Perhaps removing it cleaning the ends and where it bolts too and refit it and see if that helps.

It looked clean, when I checked earlier when I realised there was poor voltage. Getting into there to remove and refit won't be easy.

 

[Ditcha]

It looked clean, when I checked earlier when I realised there was poor voltage. Getting into there to remove and refit won't be easy.

Try a jump lead as a temp earth strap to see if it's any better before removing the current one.

 

[Ditcha]

Just found this on the Fiat forum

Fiat Ducato Fault Code P2919-64 ( Thrust Bearing ) | FIAT Ducato

Hi 2016 Fiat Ducato 2.3 ltr Comformatic Gearbox with a fault code P2919-64. Info is Thrust bearing. Take action to fix this sensor fault. I parked the camper up overnite after reversing it into position. No problem. Next day tried to move forward but camper would only show neutral. Checked and...

www.fiatforum.com

 

[WESTY66]

Just found this on the Fiat forum

Fiat Ducato Fault Code P2919-64 ( Thrust Bearing ) | FIAT Ducato

Hi 2016 Fiat Ducato 2.3 ltr Comformatic Gearbox with a fault code P2919-64. Info is Thrust bearing. Take action to fix this sensor fault. I parked the camper up overnite after reversing it into position. No problem. Next day tried to move forward but camper would only show neutral. Checked and...

www.fiatforum.com

Oooh hello…… all of them 2.3L

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