Good afternoon everyone!

Just joined the forum after reading through threads on similar issues to mine and having no luck.

I have a 2014 1.2 Dualogic, 60,000 miles on the clock (as of Saturday!). I've had it second hand for two years and not had any issues other than usual maintenance (changing tyres/brake discs etc). I've done 40,000 miles in those two years, if that makes a difference.

So last week while in the middle of driving my car beeped with a warning light, but it disappeared so quickly by the time I looked down it had gone away and I only caught a glimpse of a red light on the dash. Didn't come back so thought nothing of it.

Today while driving in to work, I was coming downhill and turning left on to a road. As I slowed down to turn, the car made a constant beeping and all of a sudden dropped in to neutral and would not change back in to gear; leaving me stuck halfway across the turn with angry cars beeping at me! Dashboard had the warning light for the transmission and error message "Check transmission - see handbook". In the end I turned it off an on again and it was working just fine, and managed the rest of the journey to work (albeit a little shaken).

As I was on my way to work I haven't been able to check the handbook (because logically I don't keep it in the car - d'oh). Tried to Google PDF's of the handbook but could only find a Canadian one and it was no help.

I'm based in Bristol and the Fiat dealership here went in to administration before Christmas, so can't take it there where I usually would. I have rang no less than 7 Fiat dealerships within 40 miles and only 2 had a Dualogic mechanic who could look at it - but not until the end of March! I have also tried two specialist gearbox/transmission garages in Bristol and neither will touch it because it is semi-automatic. I'm obviously hesitant to drive it around for a month in case it happens again and results in an accident.

I checked my oil and it was low and a deposit of sludge came out on the dipstick - so I'm hoping it's just a case of running dry (it burns through oil like nobody's business). However garages on the phone insist it will be an electrical problem.

As mentioned above, I couldn't quite find matching solutions on similar threads, but suggestions there included changing the transmission fluid, and having done 40k myself I haven't had that done so could be a solution. But again, struggling to find a mechanic who will even look at it. Has anyone had the same issue and found a solution? Any other ideas? Anyone know a Dualogic technician in Bristol?

The second issue has been going on for a while and I have taken it to 3 mechanics (including the Fiat garage before it shut) and no one has been able to find a solution. The front offside wheel makes a horrendous banging noise when turning left. The Fiat garage carried out a full diagnostic and couldn't find anything wrong. Their suggestion was to take the dashboard apart (being in the garage for a week) and go at it from another angle, but even investigating that sounded horrifically expensive before you've even found the problem. I took it to a suspension specialist and they even fitted a listening device and couldn't find anything. It comes and goes but has been going on since August. It has got to the point where I'm ignoring it, but while I'm here on the Fiat Forum I may as well mention it!

Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings.
Rhian

Hi and welcome,
Does your car burn oil or just use it, are there any patches of oil on the floor, the sump( that holds the oil ) is known for rusting away, so possibly leaking out?

Duralogic issues are also a very well known problem, take a look here at the sheer number of posts and views https://www.fiatforum.com/500/425006-one-only-dualogic-failure-thread.html

Is the banging noise repetitive when turning IE knock knock knock or click click click and can you recreate the noise on full left lock driving slowly?

No wonder they went into administration if they wanted to take the dash out for a banging suspension/steering issue ?

John202020 said:

Hi and welcome,
Does your car burn oil or just use it, are there any patches of oil on the floor, the sump( that holds the oil ) is known for rusting away, so possibly leaking out?

Duralogic issues are also a very well known problem, take a look here at the sheer number of posts and views

Is the banging noise repetitive when turning IE knock knock knock or click click click and can you recreate the noise on full left lock driving slowly?

Click to expand...

Hi John,

Thanks I'll take a look in there and see what I can find!
There's no leaking or dripping, and as far as I'm aware I'm not leaving a cloud of smoke behind me everywhere I go. A colleague's daughter also has a 500 and I was of the conclusion it was common among them as his does it too.

Since my post yesterday, my boss recommended his independent mechanic (a proper old school mechanic), who then recommended I go to an auto electrical place and get a diagnostic run (as he didn't have the equipment and it would be cheaper). Basically a £54 gamble as if it's this one specific thing he thinks he can fix it but otherwise not. But hopefully I now am at least armed with the diagnostic result and perhaps can negotiate a bit better to find a garage that will touch it and avoid paying the Fiat garage £144 just to look at it.

The fault code read: "P060A-79 customer gear control valve safety level 2 error, mechanical linkage failure fault restored" and the electrical place mentioned this could be the solenoids.

In terms of the knocking, it can happen at any speed when turning both a hard left or a more gentler left, but likelihood is reduced when going slower. The noise is a solid bang bang bang, shaking the whole car.

One garage claimed it wasn't the suspension and the wheels were out of alignment and the noise was the tyre "jumping" as it was being forced forward while facing sideways. Realigning the wheels was the proposed solution, but didn't do anything. (Also worth noting when driving on a straight road it doesn't veer to one side when letting go of the wheel, it carries on perfectly straight)

typecastboy said:

No wonder they went into administration if they wanted to take the dash out for a banging suspension/steering issue ?

Click to expand...

They also never used to charge me to inspect it! ahaha

However rumour I've heard was it was the Jeep franchise also operating out of the same dealer that dragged them under.

Rhian500 said:

I checked my oil and it was low and a deposit of sludge came out on the dipstick - so I'm hoping it's just a case of running dry (it burns through oil like nobody's business).

Click to expand...

1.2 engines do not normally use much oil (both mine will easily run 8000 miles between oil changes without needing to be topped up); if yours needs topping up frequently, it's indicative of a fault.

If you've run it when the level is below the minimum mark on the dipstick, there is a real possibility that serious engine damage has already occurred.

The noise could be almost any of the suspension parts (they all have a reputation for a short life). I'm surprised a suspension specialist couldn't find the cause, but it could be something as simple as worn droplinks, replaceable in a few minutes for a few pounds each.

Your transmission issues are best dealt with in the dualogic failure thread; I've replied separately to you there.

Before investigating the banging noises and thirst for oil,,,, consider if you're going to keep the car? I know that sounds drastic but the oil consumption is a concern and the gearbox fix could be prolonged and expensive.

John202020 said:

Before investigating the banging noises and thirst for oil,,,, consider if you're going to keep the car? I know that sounds drastic but the oil consumption is a concern and the gearbox fix could be prolonged and expensive.

Click to expand...

:yeahthat:

This is most definitely not a car I'd want to keep.