Technical Panda TA 4x4 gear selection problems

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Technical Panda TA 4x4 gear selection problems

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May 8, 2013
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Our Panda T/A 4 x 4 is developing gear selection problems. It is is sometimes very difficult to get into and out of 1st gear and second too. Lever resistant to get into gear, feels like a mechanical resistance. Are there any known common problems?

Incidentally its done around 45k miles and (hideously) the engine has already been out with a serious issue that I should also report to Fiat - the balance shaft actually sheared, which should be practically impossible, and I think has to have been an issue related to poor manufacturing but how do i prove that?!

Thanks for your thoughts.
 
Is your clutch pedal getting low? We have an issue with our clutch pedal dropping slowly. Putting your foot under the pedal and pulling it back up solves the problem for a week or 2... When the pedal got low the clutch would not disengage properly and we'd crunch gears (your problem does sound a little different).

Someone else on here had the same issue. Solved by changing the master cylinder. We've had the slave cylinder changed with no effect. I've got to book it back in for the master cylinder change. Argh...

HTH
Steve
 
hi i have the same problem with my 2015, 65 plate panda cross 4x4 i have just put the vehicle in for service, the mechanic has informed me today its the master cylinder that has failed, also the front flexible exhaust pipe is leaking, my panda has only 34000 miles on the clock, the leaking exhaust pipe i have been informed costs 750 pounds to replace ridiculous price, i am currently taking up this matter with fiat directly as i think both components should have at least lasted for five years, i just hope the problem has now been solved, i dont really want another 1700 pound service bill ouch!!! i hope this helps regards paul
 
hi i have the same problem with my 2015, 65 plate panda cross 4x4 i have just put the vehicle in for service, the mechanic has informed me today its the master cylinder that has failed, also the front flexible exhaust pipe is leaking, my panda has only 34000 miles on the clock, the leaking exhaust pipe i have been informed costs 750 pounds to replace ridiculous price, i am currently taking up this matter with fiat directly as i think both components should have at least lasted for five years, i just hope the problem has now been solved, i dont really want another 1700 pound service bill ouch!!! i hope this helps regards paul

Ouch! That is indeed a ridiculous price for a flexi. Have you asked a specialist exhaust fabricator (so not Kr@pFit) for a quote?
 
I'll share my experiences with a 4x4 TA gear selection issue;

Local guy (technician not main dealer) diagnosed (initially) gear shift cables (relatively cheap) but then found clutch and dual mass flywheel (DMF) failure. That fixed it! I'll hope that the master cylinder is the solution for you.

On the exhaust flexi; my Alfa 147 had similar problem fixed by Jamie Porter with replacement flexi joint (search them) can be clamped or welded easy fix and reliable. I don't believe you have to replace the system in this case.
 
Thanks for your replies - I'm reasonably sure it's not hydraulic - pedal seems OK and doesn't pump up - or even cable related as I've now diagnosed that it engages when the engine is idling / low revs, but if it is revving, it is difficult to select or just wont. It's at a local garage today - The garage that took the engine out and replaced the sheared balance shaft..) they think it may be clutch on the way out / clutch drag. The thing is, the engine seems to be vibrating badly too now. It has only done 55k miles...
Hmm!
 
so....it has been diagnosed as the DMF - and indeed the car / engine started vibrating badly. Gearbox is now out and another problem....look at the wear on the end of the input shaft tube - in theory worn away by the DMF (apparently the middle of the DMF appears off centre? Does this make sense / anyone come across this???

Somewhat frustrated to say the least!
 

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so....it has been diagnosed as the DMF - and indeed the car / engine started vibrating badly. Gearbox is now out and another problem....look at the wear on the end of the input shaft tube - in theory worn away by the DMF (apparently the middle of the DMF appears off centre? Does this make sense / anyone come across this???

Somewhat frustrated to say the least!
Unfortunately it seems to be semi common issue with dmfs fail the extra vibration and movement damages the gearbox
 
Question: I read somewhere that the 85hp variant of the Panda TwinAir doesn’t have a DMF - is that true?
I would imagine it would have one for all versions of the vibey twin-pot?
 
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