Just bought my first automatic - a Croma. When I start up and move off, after about 20-30 yards I hear a clunk as if doors were locking. Should this sound be there and if so what is it. If not, what could this mean?

angus macdonald said:

Just bought my first automatic - a Croma. When I start up and move off, after about 20-30 yards I hear a clunk as if doors were locking. Should this sound be there and if so what is it. If not, what could this mean?

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Doors auto-lock at 20km/hr.
See OH under central locking(?)
Can be disabled - or just unlock using buttons with door icon under climate control panel

111853Z

Thanks so much for that info. I had nightmares about auto box problems. Done 54,000. Full service history with Arnold Clark since new. Should I consider replacing auto transmission fluid as a precaution??

angus macdonald said:

... nightmares ... 54,000 ... transmission fluid ...

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Maybe(?) I believe the auto has the Japanese Aisin box & some recommend fluid change & also steering fluid at some stage. Mines a manual 1.9/16v 150HP Prestigio. I had the belts, pulleys & WP replaced at 54K due to the nightmare stories from our Alfa 159 cousins of failures before the recommended interval.

The Croma platform is actually a GM design – shared with the Vectra-Charlie & Saab 9-3. Consequently there are common attributes & faults with those models – as well as close relatives (Alfa 159, Signum, …).

112145Z

Sounds like its just the doors locking above a certain speed. You can go into the menus and set it so that this doesn't happen.

Thanks Caravadossie and Stuart. Checked today and it is the doors locking. Big relief! I had the same as you have Caravadossie. Had it six years but sadly wrote in off 10 days ago - after fitting new alternator(again) and new calipers. discs etc. Grrr! Present one has 54,000 on clock and had new cam belt fitted 2 years and 16,000 miles ago. Might ask for price for changing the ATF - should do no harm. This proves what a useful forum this is. Thanks again.

Hello mate , If your planning to keep the car for a while, I would strongly recommend getting the oil changed or doing it yourself. Cost is small compared to cost of problems, think in theory its 'sealed for life' what that means is that life is shorter if its not changed, which is fine if your not keeping it long. There are threads on here about how to change it, you cant change it all as there is some left in torque converter etc.
I had a bad experience, bought my 2005 prestigio auto two years ago privately with 69k miles on it one owner, full fiat service etc etc .... perfect for a few months then auto box started playing up, decided to have it rebuilt as liked car and wanted to keep it (cost around £2k; 2/3rds of car cost !!).
The gearbox is Aisin 6 speed as used in many other cars, volvo, vauxhaul, saabs, etc etc , but early boxes had problems with hydraulic solenoid valves cracking and breaking, debris causing full box problems. So knowing this is a potential I would go for change. I plan to change oil now around every 20-30k following chat with reputable gearbox rebuilder. Good luck, they are great cars great value fab ride . Few nigles but common to most modern diesels with DPFs , worth sorting nigles out though.