If you've got a variator in your Stilo and you're wondering if it's got an issue with it, remember, it might not actually be the variator itself, it could be the variator actuator. Both these items fall under the error code P1653, so the fault could lie with either... one is easy to test though, here's how

To rule out the variator actuator as being the fault rahter than the variator itself, take off your engine coil cover and get your trusty multimeter out...

What you're trying to do is to test the variator solenoid, and it's easy to diagnose, just put your multimeter across the 2 terminals of the solenoid (the blobs on the top, not the plug connectors) and check for continuity, if there's none (eg. you've got some resistance there) then undo the 2 philips screws on the top of it and remove the cap (pull it off, don't twist), connect the multimeter to the 2 spikes on the solenoid and check for continuity again, I bet you get it this time. if you do then it's the cap at fault, what you need to do is drop little balls of solder into the 2 holes for the spikes in the cap and then fit it back on, then you should have your continuity back accross the plug terminals.

Once you've done this, then you can be reasonably sure that your actuator should be okay and the problem lies with the variator itself... bad luck

If you didn't have continuity across the cap and the actuator pins, then the actuator is probably at fault and you'll need to get it replaced. At least it's cheaper than the variator though!

I hope this helps anyone who's concerned about their variator

Good stuff Greggers. That would be very useful in the Stilo guides for those with variators

Deckchair5 said:

Good stuff Greggers. That would be very useful in the Stilo guides for those with variators

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That's a good point Decks, I'l try to get around to that and take some photos at the same time

It's quite interesting, after seeing the P1653 code looged in my car after doing the mod to my code reader, it got me thinking, "could this be the cause of my kangarooing?"

After carrying out the work I described here, I've taken the car out for a quick drive and I made sure the car didn't warm up before I set off and guess what?... no kangarooing!!

I'm going to keep an eye on it and see how it goes over the next few cold starts but fingers crossed! It'd be interesting to see what other Selespeed owners find if they carry out the same checks that I did and to see if it cures their kangarooing... worth a try!

Just to add to this, does anyone have the pinout for the Variator Actuator? i want to test one directly but i don't know on what pin the voltage is applied and also what voltage?

Thanks

Hi, good posting, it would be helpfull if someone know which stilo engines have a variator on.

Does anyone know for certain which ones do?

Thankyous

tenwierdufos said:

Hi, good posting, it would be helpfull if someone know which stilo engines have a variator on.

Does anyone know for certain which ones do?

Thankyous

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2.4 and 1.8 I think.

danhans115 said:

2.4 and 1.8 I think.

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Yup, they're the only Fiat engines with a variator... although loads of Alfa engines have them as well

tenwierdufos said:

Hi, good posting, it would be helpfull if someone know which stilo engines have a variator on.

Does anyone know for certain which ones do?

Thankyous

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Below is an excerpt from a guide I was writing and then never got around to finishing... hopefully it helps you

The solenoid has a permanent 12v on one of the pins it but the other pin is only grounded by the ECU when the variator is to be actuated. This means that you can test the solenoid by grounding one of the terminals (the bottom terminal I think, test this yourself by using the multimeter and testing the voltage between the chassis and each solder blob on the top of the solenoid cap. Whichever doesn't give you a voltage reading, is the one you want to ground). So... with the engine running, briefly touch a wire between the chassis and the solder on the cap that is supposed to be grounded by the ECU.

If everything is working as it should in the solenoid and the variator then the engine should almost stall straight away. This is because the variator has altered the inlet valve timing at idle meaning that the inlet valve is open at the wrong time messing with the compression and ignition.

thanks dude! i'm hopeless whet it come to even basic electric tests

wish i understod what you guys are on about with this, as mine has sounded like a tractor since i got it.

I'm afraid that there's nothing you can do about that. It's just a side effect of a worn variator

A worn variator doesn't cause any issues though and should still function correctly... it's just NOISY!!!