Hey guys, now and then my dualogic box gets grumpy and when i smash the throttle to go from 5th gear into 2nd gear in auto mode it decides to go into neutral and i have to manually move the gear lever to go back into a gear.

Is it possible for the system to simply miss gears? haha its annoying and it happens from time to time.

If i take it to diagnostics it doesnt show anything and nothing appears on the dashboard other than saying the car is in neutral of course.

If you're going from 5th to 2nd, then it's likely that if the box actually did go from 5th to 2nd then it would overrev the engine and do damage, hence why it's not doing what you ask of it......

306maxi said:

If you're going from 5th to 2nd, then it's likely that if the box actually did go from 5th to 2nd then it would overrev the engine and do damage, hence why it's not doing what you ask of it......

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No it does it most of the time, but sometimes it goes into N. If you are going 50 mph in 5th you can go into 2nd without overrevving the engine. besides if the car feels its going to fast when you push the throttle to activate the auto downshift, it would switch into 3rd gear instead of 2nd.

306maxi said:

If you're going from 5th to 2nd, then it's likely that if the box actually did go from 5th to 2nd then it would overrev the engine and do damage, hence why it's not doing what you ask of it......

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I think what Ahmett is talking about is kickdown mode, when the gearbox should shift down automatically to the gear which will give best acceleration.

My best guess is that the 'box is beginning to wear out.

jrkitching said:

I think what Ahmett is talking about is kickdown mode, when the gearbox should shift down automatically to the gear which will give best acceleration.

My best guess is that the 'box is beginning to wear out.

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yeah i was always wondering how long these boxes will last. i am not sure it will go the 10 years i plan on keeping this car = ) will keep you guys updated!

ahmett said:

Hey guys, now and then my dualogic box gets grumpy and when i smash the throttle to go from 5th gear into 2nd gear in auto mode

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So if you step on the gas really hard, the Dualogic box "kicks down" and automatically goes from 5th gear into 2nd (without any manual intervention)?

That's interesting, have never tried that before. I would've thought it only downshifts one gear or two at the most.

44sunsets said:

So if you step on the gas really hard, the Dualogic box "kicks down" and automatically goes from 5th gear into 2nd (without any manual intervention)?

That's interesting, have never tried that before. I would've thought it only downshifts one gear or two at the most.

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Yes very simple to do. Drive along at 5th gear in auto mode at 30 mph pressing the throttle very lightly to maintain speed. Then suddenly smash the throttle pedal to the medal (or plastic in fiat 500's case) and it will go into 2nd gear without you touching anything.

ahmett said:

Hey guys, now and then my dualogic box gets grumpy and when i smash the throttle to go from 5th gear into 2nd gear in auto mode it decides to go into neutral and i have to manually move the gear lever to go back into a gear.

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Could be you need a replacement Gearbox Communication Unit. My OH had this replaced on her 1.2 Pop Dualogic a while back (under the 3yr warranty) as it kept slipping into neutral as she was motoring along in 5th.

Will have to give it a go in the Panda.

Have you had it on diagnositcs since this has started? As it does record missed shifts

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Have you had it on diagnositcs since this has started? As it does record missed shifts

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OH's picked up on diagnostics.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Will have to give it a go in the Panda.

Have you had it on diagnositcs since this has started? As it does record missed shifts

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dealer said they did check diagnostics and they said nothing wrong so ive given up going to the dealer. it doesnt do it that often to be honest with you.

but do try the crazy downshift = )

chas379 said:

Could be you need a replacement Gearbox Communication Unit. My OH had this replaced on her 1.2 Pop Dualogic a while back (under the 3yr warranty) as it kept slipping into neutral as she was motoring along in 5th.

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Could be. I am not doing anything for now to the car, will keep you guys updated while i rack up the miles.

My gearbox is being moody again, this time when it I start it up after having left it overnight in garage. If I leave it in gear it lurches forward so I keep foot on the brake, and at one stage it simply stalled! When I go into reverse, it makes a very loud clack noise (louder than normal anyway, I think the oil may be low).
If I leave it in neutral it doesn't lurch forward upon starting, just the noisy clack. Oh and when I go into 1st gear from netural upon starting and system cold, it goes back into neutral, and after going to 1st several times it finally gets moving!

Funny thing is these issues only occur upon startup when engine is very cold (i.e. having left car overnight).

Gearbox light comes on but never stays permanently, just gives a quick flash.

I am thinking either clutch worn out a bit, hydraulics playing up, or gearbox oil level low. Since it only happens intermittently and especially when engine is cold (once warmed up gearbox works just fine), I am not doing anything about it as very difficult to diagnose at dealer unless it happens all the time.

So far nothing terminal, will probably get gearbox oil checked and replaced at the next service, I hope the car will last until then. I have been very aggressive with some shifts but dualogic box doesn't let you do anything too crazy, it stops you from doing it.

Sound like a clutch related issue. Either not correctly disengaging due to a clutch fault, or poor hydraulic pressure, potentially due to low fluid.

You noticed it leaking in the garage

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Sound like a clutch related issue. Either not correctly disengaging due to a clutch fault, or poor hydraulic pressure, potentially due to low fluid.

You noticed it leaking in the garage

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yes the leak was extremely small as if just a drop or 2. I cant find any fluid on the floor after leaving it overnight as I check all the time, the few drops were noticed when we were changing oil. if it gets really bad I will replace fluid. by hydraulic fluid do u mean gearbox oil in the system?

ahmett said:

yes the leak was extremely small as if just a drop or 2.

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ANY clutch fluid leak is bad news. I had a clutch that didn't leak any fluid (seals were completely dry), but it was letting air into the system with much the same results.

Pull back the rubber seals and inspect the cyls for yourself, a leaky clutch will leave you stranded in a DL. In a manual you can sort of drive around it.

Low transaxle fluid wouldn't account for your symptoms.

UFI said:

ANY clutch fluid leak is bad news. I had a clutch that didn't leak any fluid (seals were completely dry), but it was letting air into the system with much the same results.

Pull back the rubber seals and inspect the cyls for yourself, a leaky clutch will leave you stranded in a DL. In a manual you can sort of drive around it.

Low transaxle fluid wouldn't account for your symptoms.

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I'll check it out in a few months when i service the car and open up the bottom to see gearbox area. If symptoms get considerably worse ill drive (or have it towed haha free breakdown cover a must!) to my dealer.

Wait, your car is left hand drive so it would normally have a cable clutch. Is the DL the same?

In which case a little bit of oil on the gearbox casing probably isn't a major concern. It's probably just in need of adjustment in that case.

UFI said:

Wait, your car is left hand drive so it would normally have a cable clutch. Is the DL the same?

In which case a little bit of oil on the gearbox casing probably isn't a major concern. It's probably just in need of adjustment in that case.

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Yes that was what it was, just a bit of oil at the bottom of the gearbox casing next to the screw. The mechanic saw it and said he didn't think it would be much of an issue, but if the leak was bigger they would investigate further.

I was worried that a bit of a leak caused the fluid level to be low that's all.
Either case I will change the oil next service, its not a big cost.
Not to forget, the clutch is 87,000 km of start stop traffic old so is most likely not 100%.

Its just funny that 90% of the gearbox issues happen when the car has been started for the first time in at least 10 hours. (as in all the parts of the car being 'cold')

DL won't have a conventional slave.

Is the CS Speed fluid level you'll be needing to check ahmett