Clunky auto box on kickdown

Hello everybody,

Once again the Internet comes up trumps, got a problem with my Ulysse, went looking for a forum and hey presto! here I am!

From the looks of it I've a rather rare 2.0 litre petrol automatic Eleganza a 53 plate. I scoured the forum and couldn't find evidence of many other owners,...

Have noticed a problem with the autobox when it kicks down from 3rd to 2nd, it kind of clonks into 2nd and doesn't feel particularly healthy. It's tricky to describe, but if you were in a manual and just dumped the clutch it would be similar.

All the other changes are just fine, both up and down. But I can do the same with the box in manual mode. The clonk is much more pronounced when the engine is under load, usually when going up a hill.

It's been to the dealer a couple of times and they've "adjusted settings" but it hasn't made any difference.

Has anyone else had a similar problem?

The dealer seem happy to keep having it back in to check,... but I'd like to get to the point where it's fixed.

Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks

Dave.

Welcome to the forum, I too have a 2.0 petrol Auto Eleganza. Fortunately our's has been fine apart from the gear selection indicator not being adjusted properly.

The problem you have sounds like it could be a faulty valve, there were a batch of them when the cars were 1st produced. I suspect that when the dealer said he had "adjusted" things that he just reset the gearbox memory. This effectively gets rid of the learning feature which adapts to how you drive. If it is doing it in manual mode, then it can't be caused by that anyway.

I assume that it is under the 3rd year dealer warranty, so try another dealer to see if they have any idea's. The other advice I would give you is to try Peugeot and Citroen garage as they seem to have much more knowledge about the car as it is essentially a PSA car. They may be able to give you some idea's over the phone.

Good luck and let us know what happens. By the way I am in Southampton, do you use AHF Auto's

Hi and thanks for the prompt reply. It is still under 3rd year warranty and I'll buzz Peugeot or Citroen and see if I get any better advice. I'll mention the possibility of a faulty valve and will let you know what happens.

I've not seen many Ulysses (or should that be Ulyssee on the road so it's uncanny that you're in Southampton too! It came from AHF, but I live west of Southampton so have been taking it to Dockgate Fiat in Millbrook. They only do servicing and seem fine so far (though admit this is the first of these they've seen), but I heard that the AHF owner had cashed-in and the Dockgate owner would be taking it over some time later this year.

Progress at last!

After a couple of visits to the local garage the mechanic finally conceeded that something was wrong, though he still didn't know what. However, I was able to demonstrate the problem also to the FIAT rep when he visited,.... he instantly knew the problem and "the only part that ever goes wrong with these gearboxes" has now been ordered.

With any luck it'll be fitted in the New Year and all will be well.

I'll update the thread at that point.

Merry Christmas!
David.

I don't suppose he mentioned which part it was, was it a hydraulic valve ?

Have a Good Christmas.

Andy