Firstly a HELLO! I'm Mark, new member to the forum. Ive already had a quick browse the last couple of days and this forum looks AMAZING for all things Fiat.

So now, onto my issues. Bought a 08 plate GP in 1.4 Auto a couple of weeks ago and the day I drove it away the problems started.

On the way home it did what seems like the classic transmission error, check manual and it would switch out of manual mode back into auto by itself. After driving it around the last week it seems to have never done that again.

But now twice it has stuck in gear and won't start, the first time is was stuck in 1st and leaving it while I went to work seemed to have done the trick, getting home and trying it, it started like there was never a problem. But now my car is stuck at work as last night it wouldn't start again. This time the display shows it's in Neutral but I don't think it will roll so gearbox is locked?

The transmission pump is not priming when I open the door and currently it won't switch into manual mode from auto or go into a gear.

I do not know the state or age of the battery. It looks clean and I gave it a charge last weekend but that's all I've done. Seems to start the car fine when it's working.

But, I'm pretty sure last night, when I turned the ignition on that the lock symbol (immobiliser?) light was staying on too, although I was getting that angry and stressed at it stuck at work at midnight that I can't be 100% if the light was staying on.

So it seems I could have a few issues here. I have to go back to work this morning to see if the car will start today, if not then I have no idea. I have currently have it booked in with my local Fiat dealer to have a check over but they have already quoted me over £100 for a diagnosis check. I'm thinking to cancel this and get the cable and software to check myself as I feel they will just read me fault codes already stored on there and not clear to check fresh ones.

Oh and my odo is flashing at me, but that's the least of my problems at the moment. Really beginning to regret buying this car, after looking at the forums after getting it and seeing all the issues I wish I had stayed well clear now.

Sorry for the long post, just trying to get as much info across to you guys.

Thanks in advance for any help guys

Mark

As for checking fault codes myself, will this cable along with the multiecuscan software do job?

Ebay item number 292509858158 (sorry can't post links)

thisistherad said:

As for checking fault codes myself, will this cable along with the multiecuscan software do job?

Ebay item number 292509858158 (sorry can't post links)

Click to expand...

NO, that won't work.
You need a ELM327 interface +adapter cables.
-go to this page:https://www.multiecuscan.net/SupportedVehiclesList.aspx
-find (CTRL+F search for "Grande") your car/engine/gearbox
-next to each computer you will see something like: "ELM A3" or "ELM", that means that in order to connect to that computer you require an ELM327 interface +adapter cable "A3"

Not all Elm work on all fiats (some need to be modified, by removing a resistor from the ELM board).

After you get the interface and cables you need MES:
https://www.multiecuscan.net/Default.aspx

Unfortunately the free version won't do you much good as it's pretty limited.... but you will be able to see if the interface can communicate with the cars multiple control modules..

Here is an example of what you need
Keep in mind it's only an example... do your own market research.

Thanks mate I'll check that out.

Although I think it's gonna have to go to a Fiat dealership anyway, been back today and the car still won't start and it's stuck in gear despite the display showing Neutral for the auto gearbox so can't even tow the car home.

The immobiliser light goes out so it's not that.

I still don't get a loud buzzing from the transmission pump so not sure if that's working. I do get a double click sound from somewhere up front with a slight pause in between each click. almost like the starter motor would sound with a dead battery, but it does it even just turning the ignition on and not trying to start the car, so not sure if it's the transmission pump trying to work or what. We gave it a go hooked up to my sisters car with some jump leads but still the same.

So at the moment I'm out of ideas and need a pick up to drag it up onto the back and get it to a dealer as I can't even move it if I have it brought home since it's in gear.

I think this will be first and last Fiat hahaha

I'm not an expert but :
Fiat robotized gearboxes here are the main things to check:
-fuses
-connectors
-leak from pressure accumulators (can be internal, no visible leak; this will cause stress on the pump as it will run continually to maintain pressure... will lead to the next issue )
-pump motor brushes that need replacing (pump won't start or it draws to much power..so will blow fuse)
-failed concentric clutch/sensor (so the car doesn't know where the clutch is).

Some of these can be checked with MES.

I saw in another thread that someone had one of these stuck in gear and not start, their issue was a blown fuse and someone said it's the only 30amp in the fuse box, but I have 2. And the one I managed to get out (they are tight!) looked like new. The other looked really clean but I couldn't get my fingers in there to remove it.

The pump, is that the buzzing motor noise I was getting when I open the driver door? That only came on briefly, I never heard it on all the time so I hope that's a good sign.

Either way I feel this ain't get be cheap.

I'm more of a bike man so know very little about cars. One thing I do know after having a Ducati, is stay away from Italian, especially their electrics! haha

This is how you check fuses:

Just get the cheapest 12/24 volt test lamp (from Tesco ..or wherever you can get them in your region)

Yes the whining sound was probably the pump.
You can also use something like a small hammer and slightly tap on the pump....or the gearbox as close as you can to the pump.

Thanks for you help mate.

I believe the pump is fully working as it primes after having the battery disconnected although car still shows N when it’s actually in gear and won’t change.

I’m starting to suspect the starter motor too, those double clicks sure does sound like one trying to work but failing. Although I still have gearbox issue with it not changing too.

Garage is coming to tow the car away tomorrow so at least I’ll have it moved, and then they are taking a look.

Hi Mark
Have you looked at this?
https://www.fiatforum.com/grande-punto-guides/439619-dualogic-troubleshooting-guide.html
BRs. Kjeld

Yeah I had a quick read through that. I’m not entirely convinced my issue is fully transmission related despite it being stuck in gear and not changing but showing N.

I saw another post where someone has the same issue, ignition responds as normal to the first turn of the key but then nothing when trying to start the engine, their problem was a faulty ground somewhere. I’m really hoping mine is as simple as that because I get a double click from under the bonnet like a relay or something is trying to work but engine just doesn’t turn over or respond at all.

There’s only so much I can do with the car stuck in the works car park. I’m just gonna have to have it towed away in the morning and see what the garage can find.

My biggest issue is no matter what I’m gonna have to pay for some kind of repair even if I get rid of the car as I can’t sell it in the state it’s currently in. I think this is gonna be my live and learn moment losing my money on this car.

Hi Mark and welcome on board !

Bought the car coupe of weeks ago and got problems ? Why not turned back to the seller ?? I'm afraid that garage's proposal will be sort of 'need to replace the whole dualogic stuff' = £££££££ , which is most probably un-true !! You have to find an expert in your area who KNOWS those robots, they are not that rare (the robots) and finally not that complicated so chance are great that you'll find the right Guy …

BTW it could be as simple as a low fluid level …

BRs, Bernie

If someone here helped You fix -or better, understand- your issue, hit the thanks icon @ bottom right corner, it's free and makes us feel helpy ;-)

I think my garage is pretty good, I've never had them quote me a job that doesn't need doing before, and they sounded like they knew what they were talking about once we started discussing the Dualogic system.

On first impressions they said it almost like the starter motor has seized, although with the car showing neutral and being in gear, and it not changing then it's likely not as simple as that.

I've seen a couple of guys on eBay offering a recon service, anyone have any feedback or used them to fix a unit? I'm assuming it's gonna be this auto clutch Dualogic system and not the actual gearbox? which I understand is just a regular manual box?

I've bracing myself for the worst but hoping for the best haha.

As far as the sale, private seller and I paid cash. TBH with the car looking as dirty as it did when I went to view (pretty clean now), and if I had read these forums before hand I would have totally avoided it, but, it's one of those things and I can't do much about it now. I only paid £1200 for the car with 66K on it so if the worst comes to the worst I'll just have to take the loss and try to make a few hundred quid back selling it for spares.

thisistherad said:

I think my garage is pretty good, I've never had them quote me a job that doesn't need doing before, and they sounded like they knew what they were talking about once we started discussing the Dualogic system.

On first impressions they said it almost like the starter motor has seized, although with the car showing neutral and being in gear, and it not changing then it's likely not as simple as that.

I've seen a couple of guys on eBay offering a recon service, anyone have any feedback or used them to fix a unit? I'm assuming it's gonna be this auto clutch Dualogic system and not the actual gearbox? which I understand is just a regular manual box?

I've bracing myself for the worst but hoping for the best haha.

As far as the sale, private seller and I paid cash. TBH with the car looking as dirty as it did when I went to view (pretty clean now), and if I had read these forums before hand I would have totally avoided it, but, it's one of those things and I can't do much about it now. I only paid £1200 for the car with 66K on it so if the worst comes to the worst I'll just have to take the loss and try to make a few hundred quid back selling it for spares.

Click to expand...

This may sound a bit lame, but, if the pump is working normally (activates when door open, and occasionally at other times) and there are no leaks from the Dualogic unit, I would suggest you check the following before touching the unit...

a) Engine/body/gearbox earths.
b) Brake switch
c) Rear light earths (sounds weird, but can cause bizarre Dualogic problems)
All cheap or free to do.

After these, if the pump sounds sluggish and tired, it could be simply a tired pump motor. Simple fix, replacement pump motor. (about £100 + 30 mins to fit)
If pump sometimes doesn't run when it should a sharp tap near the pump may start it (close drivers door, tap the pump, open drivers door). Same fix, replacement pump motor.

If the pump runs fine, but keeps operating with either no gaps or only short gaps, the accumulator may have failed. Simple fix, replacement accumulator.

Also check the fuse box isn't water damaged.

But... if it leaks (or the fluid is low) then it is almost certainly a bigger problem.

thisistherad said:

I think my garage is pretty good,

As far as the sale, private seller and I paid cash. TBH with the car looking as dirty as it did when I went to view (pretty clean now), and if I had read these forums before hand I would have totally avoided it, but, it's one of those things and I can't do much about it now. I only paid £1200 for the car with 66K on it so if the worst comes to the worst I'll just have to take the loss and try to make a few hundred quid back selling it for spares.

Click to expand...

If they are pretty good, they can certainly say what the problem is.
A starter motor is cheap(second hand ebay).

It;'s to early to talk about a gerbox recon... it could be an electrical fault.. so the recon will do nothing to fix that.
It can also be all the other basic/cheap things...

NEEDS Diagnostics.

It's getting a full check over on Tuesday so I'll see what comes back.

I think (hoping) it's more electrical with the gearbox issue as driving it it's been fine, changes gear nicely in both auto and semi auto/manual, no nasty noises or anything, feels pretty smooth. Just some issue somewhere with it now being in gear but showing N on the display and not changing. I also think this is why it won't start cause it's not going into neutral when i press the brake. Before they loaded it on the back of the pickup they had a check of the brake lights etc to see if it's pedal switch fault and tried grounding the battery etc but all the little tricks didn't work.

Hope it's not too expensive to fix as I do like the car, lovely to drive, smooth and quiet compared to my Corsa C. Kinda wish it had a bit more of a peppy engine, coming from sports bikes I miss having something quick and a 1.4 8V ain't cutting it. I already had a look on the Arbarth website haha, but way out my price range, and after this I may stay clear of Fiat.