Hi there! My mother-in-law has recently bought a 1.2 Eleganza Dualogic. It’s ten years old but only 38k miles on the clock. All the same, it would be good to get the dualogic system checked out.. I rang a local independent Fiat specialist in Manchester and they said they don’t do dualogic inspections/services, ‘they fall apart if you look at em’. I rang the local Fiat dealership in Rochdale and asked if they did, they don’t either.. £25 for a very basic service, that seemingly doesn’t cover the robot components.

Sooo... as this is my mother-in-law’s first car, I’d really like it to work out well for her. I’ve had fun reading the dualogic thread on here I now know to check things like the reservoir behind the bumper. Just wondering if anyone had any pro tips they could share? The front suspension seems quite worn, some knocking when turning and the driver’s side disc is binding a little. I think the previous owner used it as a bit of a bumper car, but it otherwise seems solid and I’d like to help keep it/her on the road!

So anything I should look out for would be great to hear. Many thanks in advance and look forward to reading through more of the threads!

Cheers!

Check the rear axle, they are prone to rotting out particularly around the spring seats.

Sounds like a caliper is sticking if the brake is binding, strip and clean them and use some brake grease/cooper grease on the sliding pins under those small rubber gaiters.

Suspension knocks from the rear are usually due to the top shock eye bushes, quite common.

Knocks from the front could be anything, anti roll bar drop links, top mounts, track rods or track rod ends, bottom ball joints or wishbone bushes, you'll need to check them all.


Can't help you much with the Dualogic, I'd just say check the system is topped up and leak free.

Hi

The system uses a pump..its triggered by opening the drivers door.. make sure it doesnt sound laboured

Yes fluids are crucial..and battery condition is always a factor in this age panda

They are good cars

The gearbox is great too..
its actually a manual.. but with a robot working the clutch and gearshift

Once you are happy with gearbox.. get the cambelt checked

Charlie

As Charlie says, the dualogic is a standard manual gearbox, operated by the robot control.
Sadly, so many garages are afraid of it, despite the system being used on many makes and models.
There are a few garages that will work on them, and better, some that specialise. You need one of those.
A fortnight ago, a friend in Milton Keynes had trouble with her Corsa 'Easytronic'. The RAC guy suggested clutch failure and declared the world ending, towed it to her usual garage. They made a similar but unlikely suggestion, both picking random faults from the air and suggesting complete gearbox replacement.
I advised her to find a specialist, which she did, and had the car towed there. They diagnosed a clutch actuator, and replaced it. £400, but all now working as it should.

Don't be afraid of it, but search for people who know them and are not afraid of them.
The majority of the faults appear to be fluid, leaks or deteriorated quality, or external items like brake pedal switch failure. Changing the fluid is tedious, as there's no drain facility, but worthwhile on older vehicles. It seems to get thin and less effective in use. The hydraulic actuation fluid is separate, and different to the normal gearbox oil.

I would leave the fluid alone unless changing the clutch. Many failures caused by people "servicing" actuator, usually by overfilling (you have to follow the correct procedure to do this) or topping up with the wrong fluid (must be Tutela CS-Speed, or an EXACT equivalent).
Does not need topping up unless it has a leak, in which case you need to fix the leak.
Does not need changing unless you are replacing the accumulator (because the failed diaphragm may contaminate the fluid)

Not really any routine service tasks, other than checking for leaks, and observing anything unusual (occasional failure to get a gear first time, pump motor sounding tired, jerky gearchanges, etc)
Get the ECU read anyway - lots of good information to be had if you know what to look for, all information is available, MultiECUScan gives good explanation for most of them.
e.g. check the clutch wear index. Can't remember what the values mean without looking them up, but some failures caused by people not getting clutch changed when it needs it - can pop a seal if plate fingers get too worn, requiring too much force to push clutch fork.
On a standard manual you would notice the stiff clutch pedal, and think it might be time to change the clutch. Doesn't happen on a Dualogic, and the hydraulics are stronger than your foot. Will happily carry on until something breaks. ECU values can give advance warning, although (with experience) it is possible to diagnose by jerky changes and intermittent gear selection failure alone.

Ah brilliant many many thanks for the replies, great to see this forum is so lively!

Goudrons said:

Check the rear axle, they are prone to rotting out particularly around the spring seats.

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Good shout, many thanks! Coils all seem fine at least and without getting it in the air it seems solid

varesecrazy said:

The system uses a pump..its triggered by opening the drivers door.. make sure it doesnt sound laboured

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THAT is what that noise is! One less mystery to this new car, sounds healthy too, so that’s good! I now know to use the passenger’s door now if we’re just nipping in to get summat, seems like a part that could wear out from just grabbing your bags for life or summat!

portland_bill said:

There are a few garages that will work on them, and better, some that specialise. You need one of those.

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Yep, that’s exactly what I’d like to do, find someone that knows these beasts and can give me peace of mind with it, will continue looking..! I think the car, whilst solid and rust free, had a hard life without TLC so would be good to treat ‘er right

irc said:

I would leave the fluid alone unless changing the clutch. Many failures caused by people "servicing" actuator, usually by overfilling (you have to follow the correct procedure to do this) or topping up with the wrong fluid

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Well this is it, I don’t want to tinker myself, haven’t had chance to check the reservoir yet but all the pipes under the bonnet seem dry and the oil is seemingly fine. I can live with MOT advisories for suspension etc, but I’d hate for a replacement or rebuild to be required for the sake of fluids not being changed out/topped up ?

The mother in law seems made up with it so far and it does seem a good runner, was nippy enough with me sat in the back!

It's not unusual for Duologic clutches to be worn out in 20,000 miles. People drive them like an "ordinary" auto (creeping forward in traffic. etc) this hammers the clutch just as it would if driving any manual that way.

You definitely need to check the clutch wear index as yours might be reaching end of life. It might be fine of course - just saying.

My mother had a Duologic and loved it. We sold it when she died and I've always regretted not keeping it.

DaveMcT said:

You definitely need to check the clutch wear index as yours might be reaching end of life. It might be fine of course - just saying.

My mother had a Duologic and loved it. We sold it when she died and I've always regretted not keeping it.

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Yup for sure want it looking at, I've never been a fan of automatics but hopefully my suspicious prejudice of them will work well for my mother in law

It's good to see that there is a genuine love for these cars, it does seem a good design, she like the high riding position and good visibility. Many thanks!

Yes.. I took to using the passenger doors too

My Panda experience was brief..

Driven back down M4 for 2.5 hours

A week running around as I prepared it..
Handed over to my mum.. within a week it was for sale.. she needed a torque converter


The Idea mpv of a friend was good though.. looked after that for 2.5 years

Son In Law said:

the driver’s side disc is binding a little.

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Hi There's a great guide to cleaning up the front brakes here.

varesecrazy said:

A week running around as I prepared it..
Handed over to my mum.. within a week it was for sale.. she needed a torque converter

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That's a shame. My Mum went from a Golf 1.8 slush box auto to the Panda Duologic and loved it. Each to their own.

How on earth do they suppose you’re meant to top up the windscreen wash with such a small and barely accessible nozzle :chin:

Service/inspection booked for next week at least/last!

Son In Law said:

How on earth do they suppose you’re meant to top up the windscreen wash with such a small and barely accessible nozzle :chin:

Service/inspection booked for next week at least/last!

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Cut a lemonade bottle in half

..
Or use a proper funnel

If you look under the wing you will see how much..or little.. is in the reservoir

varesecrazy said:

Cut a lemonade bottle in half



..

Or use a proper funnel



If you look under the wing you will see how much..or little.. is in the reservoir

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I use a shower gel bottle, with the end cut off. (Such as original source for example) works a treat.

Hey! That windscreen filler bottle clip on lid has been used by Fiat since year dot.

DaveMcT said:

Hey! That windscreen filler bottle clip on lid has been used by Fiat since year dot.

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But often placed in more accessible spots

127 and early panda.. IIRC
Was a bag : pouch..you hung on thr inner wing..
So filling options available

Ha! I think it’s just setting up for the punchline that is changing headlight bulbs

Son In Law said:

Ha! I think it’s just setting up for the punchline that is changing headlight bulbs

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Wouldnt know.. didnt need any bulbs in the 15 years we had it..

They are pretty easy though ..
Its not an Audi..

Lucky! Passenger sidelight needs replacing, following my initial attempt it may well be easier if you had to take the bumper off!

All the bulbs can be changed without removing the lamp, although a certain amount of contortion is necessary, along with some mild cussing.

Best practised on a warm dry day, ready for that dark wet night.