(T) Need help with my Automatic Transmission (Ducato)

Hi guys, I'm from a small island in the pacific called Samoa. i am currently working on a 2003 fiat Ducato diesel turbo (its actually an ambulance lol) but I'm tryna turn it into a camper van.
anyway, I've had problems with the transmission so I've taken it to 2 automatic transmission specialists (that i trust) but its still stuck in limping mode or 3rd gear, plugged the scanner in and it says there are no faults noted.

I'm just really frustrated and confused, any advice would do thanks.

Welcome!

When you say you've "plugged the scanner in", my guess is that, unless it's one that's dedicated to reading not just engine codes, that's why nothing is showing....

Most people use multiecuscan (MES) to diagnose faults with their FIATs. There's a free version, and a paid-for version -- with added functionality. You'll also need a set of cables (usually bought from eBay -- if you can access that...), which connect to the USB port of a Windows-based laptop or netbook.

It really is an amazing piece of software -- but, as I know nothing about Ducatos, I don't know what specific gearbox you have; or if MES will work with your particular model, or be able to access the gearbox electronics.... However, if you trawl through the MES website -- or search through its forums -- you may find the answer....

I hope this helps. Please let us know how you get on; or if you need further info.

You'll not get any codes with only an engine code reader.

Hi Welcome to the forum
Below is a quotation from a post on the forum which may or maynot help you with your problem.

"We have a 2004 N+B Arto ducato 2.8 jtd with the fiat four speed automatic gearbox. Excellent, but lately we have an intermittent fault. Sometimes on engine startup the red light on the instrument panel (looks like a car with the bonnet up) does not go out. Manual says this is transmission oil too hot! Hmm. Anyway,when this happens you can only get the van into 'emergency' third gear and reverse, and then after a lot of chunking. If however you switch off and re-start sometimes it WILL go out and you can engage gears normally for the rest of the journey. My feeling is this must be one of the sensors rather than a serious gearbox fault. I can take it back to B****hills but would like to eliminate it being something obvious. Advice from this most excellent forum would be much appreciated.
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Hello , I have now cured the problem with the Fiat Auto Gearbox dash warning light. I found the problem to be a bad connection in the plug & socket on the wiring loom that feeds the selector unit, this is situated on the top of the gearbox"

As in the above post it sounds to me to be a faulty senors or connection in the wiring somewhere & as I have read other posts about faults with these HP-20 transmissions which usually relate back to this Multifunction Switch or its connections situated on the top of the gearbox.
I have also attached the training manual for the ZF HP-20 gearbox although it is a Citroen manual may help in some way although doesn't have much in the way of the "limp Mode" diagnostics.
I also found this in the ZF training manual which should I would think apply to the transmission fitted to your Ducato a - ZF4HP20
From the Manual - Depending on the type of fault, the ECU chooses the following downgraded modes from amongst three types:
• 3rd hydraulic (4th if activated whilst driving),
• maintain gear engaged (until the ignition is switched off then 3rd hydraulic engaged),
(what happened to type 3?)
this follows what the owners manual has stated'
Note: A PDF version of the Owners Manual can be downloaded from the 2nd page of the Ducatos download section as well as some other 244 manuals - CD radio etc, if you don't have hard copies of these.
Also have the ZFHP-20 WSM manual if needed but it is mainly about disassembly & repair etc not much in diagnostics either.
Cheers

thanks a lot guys, will let you know how it goes

seems to be working a lot better now .......... but i cant seem to find a dipstick for the Automatic transmission fluid? its either there is none or im going blind haha. how many liters of ATF do i use exactly? say if its got nothing in it including the converter.

thanks guys

p.s sorry if these are rookie questions, European cars are not too popular here. but any help would be much appreciated thanks.

We need to know what type of auto box it is first, it'll be very dependent upon if its a conventional auto or a Dualogic type box.

im sorry, whats the difference between the two?

One is a manual box which is electronically controlled by hydraulic actuators, and the other a traditional slush box. Does it has an automatic / manual mode on the selector or just P-R-N-D-1-2-3 etc

this one just has P-R-N-D and nothing else?

or is there no ducato gearbox like that? im really stuck guys. how come theres no dipstick for the tranny either?

Have a look at the pdf document attached at post 4. This shows a dipstick, but also says no oil change or top up, but also shows oil type.
It also shows an identification plate. Find yours, and note down all the details and post on here. If it is the 4HP20, it looks like any established Peugeot or Citroen dealer should be able to help as well as any Fiat dealer, if any exist in your part of the world.
If it is a ZF, find your nearest office and talk to them. With your location they may be helpful with diagnostics. In the UK, they just send you to a dealer, although specialists exist.

Hi
My 2011 Ducato 3litre 160 Multjet Comfort Matic won't engage. The warning for automatic transmission failure lights up and then I get a message 'gear not available' if I try to engage. Unfortunately the battery was allowed to run flat accidentally over Christmas. I've never had any problems with the automatic transmission before.
I've recharged the battery and the engine starts without problem. One garage suggested I disconnect the battery, reconnect and see if this reboots the system. Didn't work. A mechanic has checked all the ECUs and found one problem: no speed was being registered for the gearbox. He didn't have the necessary expertise to fix the problem.
I've spoken to a specialist garage who thinks the gearbox needs reprogramming and I should find a good auto electrician.
I live west of London just outside the M25, not far from where it hits the M40.
I'd appreciate any advice or recommendation for an auto electrician

Did you find any solutions for this?

Question to who?

What is happening to yours?

Tell us what error codes are being stored..
And we can guide you further

Charlie