Hi all, I have a 2006 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 with the daulogic transmisson which has came up with the famous 'Gear Unavailable'.

The car currently drives quite well but I have the gear unavailable message that comes up every once in a while but a few days ago I started the car up and after I had let it warm up i went to put it in auto mode and I had a message saying check transmission, see handbook etc.

So after a few minutes of starting the engine back up and trying it again it selected the gear as normal and drove well but I was hoping someone on here could please help me on this and what the problem could be.

I can hear the pump/motor making the noise as it should when the drivers door is opened.

Is the transmission oil separate to the hydraulic oil that controls the gear changes as I have heard and if so can the transmission oil be drained and the correct new oil put straight in or is there a specific way or other precautions that need to be taken and done when changing the oil?

Thanks all.

Hey welcome to the forum.

The first port of call is the excellent guide by tonico77 here:
https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-guides/439619-dualogic-troubleshooting-guide.html

Second would be to get the codes read. You will need to use http://www.multiecuscan.net alternatively dependant on your location I am sure you will be near a forum member who could help you with this.

The transmission oil is separate to the "selespeed fluid" oil which works the hydraulic part of dualogic. Before anything like this is performed it is worth checking oil level and the general appearance of the dualogic unit by removing the tin cover underneath the battery. In order to change oil etc it is essential to have MultiECUScan, and also if I'm honest changing the oil will probably not help with your issue.

keep us updated and let us know if we can help in anyway.

Mike

Thanks for the information Mike, I'll have a read of the guide later on and does the multiecuscan need to be used when just changing the gearbox oil itself? The car has done almost 61,000 miles and I don't think it's ever been changed and I would surely say it's due for a service.

Cheers.

The problem with the unit is that there is no drain plug so the easiest way to drain is to undo the banjo underneath the pump. This in turn introduces air into the system so it needs the MSECU software to perform a clutch drain/ bleed. I am going through the exact same process at the moment (oil is black not golden).

Its worth inspecting the unit first as you may be low on oil, have a leak or obvious damage. This can be done with the car raised off the ground, easier access to remove the NS wheel and taking the battery out and loosening the header tank helps to undo the tin cover.

The cheapest place I have found the oil is from eBay at £17.99 a litre posted.

Hi,

deffo need to check the FLUID level, that's the easiest approach and a low fluid level is a good candidate for the problem you describe...

Regards, Bernie

Hi, thank you for the replies.

I have ordered the ECU ELM 327 adapter and I have downloaded the Multiecuscan so I can check to see if there's any errors once I have received it and also when I have the time next week I will check the fluid level and keep you posted, cheers.

Hi,

I am very curious to see what MES offers regarding the Dualogic controler... Have yo verified if you need adapter cables ??

Regards, Bernie

Hi,

I have found the adapter cables for the multiecuscan although to check for errors first I don't think I'll be needing them. I will be buying them for any other checks I may need to do.

Also to change the mechanical side of the gearbox and not the hydraulic selespeed side of it that takes the csc fluid does it have to be depressurised as well or with it been a normal manual gearbox as I've heard can the oil just be drained and new 75w gearbox oil put in without having to do anything special?

Cheers.

Hi,

the gearbox itself is exactly the same as a manual car, so are the related procedures...

Regards, Bernie

Thanks for the information Bernie.