When did comfortmatic end, when did 9 speed start.

[G-A-R-Y]

Perhaps I've done too much research/reading, but what's the info/history on Fiat auto box.
Thanks in advance

 

[Guigsy]

2019 was when Fiat made the change. Although my van was registered in 2020 and is based on the older design. Convertors can take a while to shift their stock of base vehicles. There's no hard date other than nothing before 2019.

 

[Just us on Tour]

Yes as Guigsy says they started putting the 9 speed auto in the Ducato in 2019, that said it was the 2020 model year . I think the engine also changed at the same time. My 2017 model was a 150bhp but my 2021 is a 160 bhp .I love the 9 speed Auto , it is great to drive .

 

[Guigsy]

Yes as Guigsy says they started putting the 9 speed auto in the Ducato in 2019, that said it was the 2020 model year . I think the engine also changed at the same time. My 2017 model was a 150bhp but my 2021 is a 160 bhp .I love the 9 speed Auto , it is great to drive .

Yes. 130, 150 and 180 engines were the outputs for about a decade with engines up to Euro6 emissions but without the need for Adblue. The automatic available was the Comfortmatic 6 speed robotised manual.

The changeover gave 140, 160 and 180 engine outputs. They use Adblue to get Euro6final. The 9 Speed automatic is a true torque converter style automatic gearbox.

 

[Bleau’s]

Just gone from a comformatic box to a true 9 speed auto box in a carthago 64 and cannot believe the difference wish I had changed when they first came out

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[Pausim]

I think the technical date for new production was 01/09/2019 when the new testing regime came in. They had to revise their models to include AdBlue and smart alternators and they seem to have taken the redesign as an opportunity to change the auto gearbox as well. As already said there were a number of the old design already in the system.

 

[LithiumConvert]

I love the 9 speed Auto , it is great to drive .

Until the Fiat stopped working altogether. It has been at Fiat Proffessional for nearly a month.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Just gone from a comformatic box to a true 9 speed auto box in a carthago 64 and cannot believe the difference wish I had changed when they first came out

Yes, the ZF box is really good.

 

[IRHP]

Until the Fiat stopped working altogether. It has been at Fiat Proffessional for nearly a month.

Seem to be hearing about quite a few having problems.

 

[Guigsy]

Seem to be hearing about quite a few having problems.

Given that it's been available for 3 years and is a very popular option, I don't think it's a significant weak point. It'll take a few more years to be sure, but it feels like people are having less issues than with the Comfortmatic.

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[LithiumConvert]

Seem to be hearing about quite a few having problems.

I only have one problem ....

.... It doesn't go.


ohh. Sorry. The other problem is it is stuck in an unsecure compound where Fiat Camp Assist dumped it.

 

[Just us on Tour]

Until the Fiat stopped working altogether. It has been at Fiat Proffessional for nearly a month.

Oh no , what’s happened . Is it gearbox related Lithium Convert ?

 

[Just us on Tour]

Just gone from a comformatic box to a true 9 speed auto box in a carthago 64 and cannot believe the difference wish I had changed when they first came out

My Dream motorhome ! The Carthago 64 XL QB . now I have retired we are giving it a lot of consideration . Bleau’s I am guessing you have the 180bhp engine ? . Does it carry the Tag ok ? Beautiful van .

 

[LithiumConvert]

Oh no , what’s happened . Is it gearbox related ?

Fiat Assist engineer said engine ECU fails to talk to gearbox.

 

[Just us on Tour]

Fiat Assist engineer said engine ECU fails to talk to gearbox.

I must admit that’s sounds worrying even more so if Fiat professional can’t cure the fault. It’s probably software related . Mine has only done 5000 miles so it’s early days . I hope you get it fixed soon Lithium Convert

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[Bleau’s]

My Dream motorhome ! The Carthago 64 XL QB . now I have retired we are giving it a lot of consideration . Bleau’s I am guessing you have the 180bhp engine ? . Does it carry the Tag ok ? Beautiful van .

Yes a lovely drive just come down the M1 at 70 all the way 180bhp with semi air on the rear just had it tracked and handles so much better than my last elegance.

 

[Pausim]

I must admit that’s sounds worrying even more so if Fiat professional can’t cure the fault. It’s probably software related . Mine has only done 5000 miles so it’s early days . I hope you get it fixed soon Lithium Convert

Is Fiat Assist the same as Fiat Professional? When I called out Fiat Assist the roadside mechanic diagnosed the Comfortmatic communications fault but it was a Fiat Professional that tracked down the fault and cured it (Adams Morey Portsmouth).

The communication between ECU and gearbox might be wiring. From other threads I gather that there is a known weak point where the wiring harness passes through the bulkhead. I think it was dunnah01 that explained it.

 

[Just us on Tour]

Yes a lovely drive just come down the M1 at 70 all the way 180bhp with semi air on the rear just had it tracked and handles so much better than my last elegance.

I am green with envy …. enjoy

 

[LithiumConvert]

Is Fiat Assist the same as Fiat Professional?

No I don' think. Fiat Assist is more of a breakdown service.
Fiat Professional seem to be qualified engineers at dealers/garages.

The communication between ECU and gearbox might be wiring. From other threads I gather that there is a known weak point where the wiring harness passes through the bulkhead.

Does that still apply with the new Ducatos with the 9 speed gearbox.
If so, how do they fix that? A whole new harness or a bodge?

Either way, Many thanks for the info.

I must admit that’s sounds worrying even more so if Fiat professional can’t cure the fault

Maybe when they have time to look at it, they might have more luck.They are "far too busy" to deal with a vehicle which camper assist just dumped on them.

 

[Lenny HB]

The changeover gave 140, 160 and 180 engine outputs. They use Adblue to get Euro6final. The 9 Speed automatic is a true torque converter style automatic gearbox.

In 2022 the 2.3 engine was replaced with the new 2.2 also the 160 dropped.

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[Lenny HB]

My Dream motorhome ! The Carthago 64 XL QB . now I have retired we are giving it a lot of consideration . Bleau’s I am guessing you have the 180bhp engine ? . Does it carry the Tag ok ? Beautiful van .

Carthago are not producing any of their larger vans on the Fiat at the moment.

 

[Pausim]

Does that still apply with the new Ducatos with the 9 speed gearbox.
If so, how do they fix that? A whole new harness or a bodge?

I don’t know specifically about the new 9 speed box but it must still rely on wiring to get its commands. My wiring harness was repaired rather than replaced. I have every confidence that it was repaired properly and not bodged. Replacing the harness would be a major job, probably involving deconstructing large parts of the vehicle. I would not want them to replace it, far too complex.

 

[Just us on Tour]

Carthago are not producing any of their larger vans on the Fiat at the moment.

Hi Lenny HB , yes you are quite right . As we tow a small car the train weight of the Merc is not sufficient so A few dealers are looking out for a late used one for us . Alternatively we shall keep what we have. Lol

 

[Bleau’s]

Simon offered us one a few weeks ago when we got ours but our spec suited us better Go European had a left hand drive in when we picked ours up

 

[LithiumConvert]

My wiring harness was repaired rather than replaced. I have every confidence that it was repaired properly and not bodged

That sounds reassuring. Now we just need somebody to do it.

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[G-A-R-Y]

Back to my question, we are viewing a van this week (Edge 494, another post) , it is automatic, bought December 2020.
How do I tell if it's nine speed ZF or the earlier comfortmatic. By just looking at the gear selector.
Thanks once again.

 

[Ditcha]

Comfortmatic

9 speed auto

 

[Bernie P]

I was told by a friend that the 9-Speed Auto is the same unit that's fitted to BMW's. If he was correct, then I doubt there will be many reliability issues.

 

[Lenny HB]

I was told by a friend that the 9-Speed Auto is the same unit that's fitted to BMW's. If he was correct, then I doubt there will be many reliability issues.

Not the same the BMW is RWD, it had to be re-engineered for FWD.

 

[Guigsy]

Lots of cars like BMW, Audi, Aston, Bentley, Jaguar, larger Land Rovers use the ZF 8 speed. It's for larger engines that sit longitudinally with the gearbox in the transmission tunnel in the middle of the car. So mostly rear wheel drive vehicles.

The ZF 9 speed is a bit rarer. It's a totally different design, mostly 4 cylinder transverse engines where the gearbox sits next to the engine in the engine bay. Normally front wheel drive. The ZF 9 has been in several Fiats, Jeeps, Discovery Sport and Evoque.