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Technical Gear shift is very stiff.

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Technical Gear shift is very stiff.

R

Ricard

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May 24, 2012
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I'm sort-of pleased I couldn't find any thread discussing this problem because it suggest this isn't a massive problem like the gaiter falling apart, door handles falling off, rusty sumps after six months (1.3 diesel) stop-start not working, bulging air bag covers, exhaust back-box rusted through after 3 years and i'm sure other bits and bobs.

Our 500 gear shift is very stiff, I mentioned this at the last service and they did do something but it didn't last more than a few weeks so i'm hoping someone has solved this problem and can guide me to an answer.
 
I had hoped it was going to be a series of linkages that could be sprayed with a lubricant at the linkage points because cables just need replacing when the inner starts chafing on the outer for whatever reason.

When the dealership replaced the fragmented gear-shift gaiter arrangement they did something that eased the problem temporarily so presumably squirted something down through the access whilst the gaiter cover was off.

Any ideas ?
 
I think when it's happened to Panda's it's been the cables. IMHO lubrication will be a temporary fix at best.
 
306maxi said:
IMHO lubrication will be a temporary fix at best.
Click to expand...

It shouldn't be if they're lubricated properly, which might mean removing the cables from the car.

If the dealer just squirts a bit of WD40 into the end in a hopeful manner, then I'd agree the fix won't likely last long.

It's a bit like the recurring problem of brake pads sticking in the reaction frames - you need to strip them down properly if you want a permanent cure.
 
Last edited:
Seems i've been let down by the dealership when the car was still in warranty though they did deal with other warranty items they said were not actually covered during the third year which was door handle and the gaiter.

This surprises me because whilst i'm now not too happy about Fiat the dealership inspired me with confidence up to a point, then it went pear-shaped when I realised they had let me down on another issue. Fiat rely on their dealers to do the right thing.

Thanks for your help, it's valuable source.
 
For the benefit of others with this problem our dealership has finally decided on a source which is a little more complex than just cleaning the pivot-point at the top of the gear box. He described a rod that goes into the gearbox that needs attention and talked about easily two work though he did assure me this was a solution which suggests all the other solutions were a guess.

This particular Fiat service manager is not a Fiat-fan-boy, he's just resolute to find solutions and keep his head down. (My description)

It appears this gear-shift problem is endemic with the 500 range so I'm mystified why there aren't pages-and-pages of talk about the problem.

I'm advised to get it fixed ASAP. He says it will get so bad I won't be able to find any gears. Pity they didn't know about it prior to the end of warranty, or maybe they did.

So i'm a cynic, I have good cause.
 
Ricard said:
For the benefit of others with this problem our dealership has finally decided on a source which is a little more complex than just cleaning the pivot-point at the top of the gear box. He described a rod that goes into the gearbox that needs attention and talked about easily two work though he did assure me this was a solution which suggests all the other solutions were a guess.

This particular Fiat service manager is not a Fiat-fan-boy, he's just resolute to find solutions and keep his head down. (My description)

It appears this gear-shift problem is endemic with the 500 range so I'm mystified why there aren't pages-and-pages of talk about the problem.

I'm advised to get it fixed ASAP. He says it will get so bad I won't be able to find any gears. Pity they didn't know about it prior to the end of warranty, or maybe they did.

So i'm a cynic, I have good cause.
Click to expand...



Also, no one ever said that it was the "pivot point at the top of the box"!!!!!! I said it was the two cables that go from the gearstick to the box that are probably the cause of the problem.




http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Pand...d=100005&prg=1048&rk=1&rkt=5&sd=281188596843&


It's not without precedent.


https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/261689-stiff-gear-change.html


but if you want to take the opinion of someone who has diagnosed this issue without even looking at your car then great :)


Another addition to my list of people who come on here for advise and then disregard it completely because it doesn't fit in with what they'd already decided :)
 
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306maxi said:
Endemic, lol, find me examples of people who've had the same issue.
Click to expand...

I'm quoting someone who's work involves Fiat cars though his assertion that the problem is endemic is a bit of a mystery to me also because I would have expected to find something on this forum though as you point out there are very few and none for the 500.

It was also this expert who on another occasion suggested the pivot point at the gearbox.

Regarding my taking the opinion of someone who hasn't looked at my car, let me assure you that the right-sort of experts are those who have an absolute catalogue of answers to problems within their experience although we can't all expect a real solution with paying someone to get dirty. Even then a solution isn't always found because it can take time and occasionally guesswork.

In this case this particular service engineer had replaced cables and found they didn't solve the problem and that is how we get to the next stage of this shaft that goes into the gearbox being the problem.

My posting these comments is to share with others rather than knock the prowess of other "Experts" or experienced people who also may benefit, or-not, as the case may be.

I haven't decided on anything to do with this problem, if the problem is solved then i'll know the answer and share it. If the solution differs from your diagnosis there should be absolutely no reason why your fragile ego is confronted.

Calm-down-dear.
 
Ricard said:
I'm quoting someone who's work involves Fiat cars though his assertion that the problem is endemic is a bit of a mystery to me also because I would have expected to find something on this forum though as you point out there are very few and none for the 500.

It was also this expert who on another occasion suggested the pivot point at the gearbox.

Regarding my taking the opinion of someone who hasn't looked at my car, let me assure you that the right-sort of experts are those who have an absolute catalogue of answers to problems within their experience although we can't all expect a real solution with paying someone to get dirty. Even then a solution isn't always found because it can take time and occasionally guesswork.

In this case this particular service engineer had replaced cables and found they didn't solve the problem and that is how we get to the next stage of this shaft that goes into the gearbox being the problem.

My posting these comments is to share with others rather than knock the prowess of other "Experts" or experienced people who also may benefit, or-not, as the case may be.

I haven't decided on anything to do with this problem, if the problem is solved then i'll know the answer and share it. If the solution differs from your diagnosis there should be absolutely no reason why your fragile ego is confronted.

Calm-down-dear.
Click to expand...
The fact that this person who is claiming to be an expert is suggesting that a problem that only you have is one that's endemic should be setting off warning bells?
 
To be perfectly honest I don't trust them any further than I could throw them though I had hoped for some Fiat-specific experience that our local garage boys, who I trust, admit to not having though they have never-ever charged me for scratching their heads over a problem.

So, what do I have to go on. You suggest the cables, when our local garage priced these cables at £140 the factors told him they had never sold any. The supposed expert on the basis of probable Fiat experience says it's not the cables or the pivot point (Whatever that is) but this "rod" that goes down into the gearbox which has collected dirt and moisture.

What I'm hoping for by keeping this thread alive for a few days that it might attract a solution from someone who has has this problem fixed with the 500 in its 1.3 multijet guise.

In the meantime, thank you for YOUR help in this matter.
 
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