Hi folks,
My 2002 Stilo Abarth Selespeed has an odd problem, it started to happen years ago but only on rare occasions, but recently has got much worse. Starting from cold all the gears engage without any problem, then after travelling usually around 10 miles (sometimes but not always) a check light says "auto gearbox failure" followed by a very annoying warning chime! When I stop the car will be in 2nd gear and refuses to engage 1st, when I try to proceed, both 3rd and 5th gear will not engage. So I put the car into manual mode and if I get persistent with the paddle eventually it will go into 5th and if I'm patient in time will go into 3rd, but it will take sometime before it will engage 1st. Anyway, so after all that business (and getting people behind waving fists, wondering what the hold up is about) you can carry on your journey for the rest of the day without a hint of trouble - but then the next time from cold you get the same repeat of the problem! I really don't think it's the Solenoid because it's obviously thermo/temperature related, sounds like a fuse box or Relay problem - does anyone know where they are situated, I cannot find a diagram to show where they are - can any body help please?

If you have Handbook.
Pg 296 fig 54
Fuse F05
Fusebox next to battery

Hi Maigretnz,
I will give it a try, many thanks. Martin

Another tip. After cleaning the contacts put carbon grease (available from electronic suppliers) that puts a conductive coating on that resists corrosion.

I have checked and cleaned all relevant fuses to no avail, F-05 is actually protecting the Selespeed pump, there is also F-23 which is for Selespeed. I wish I could find a wiring diagram to identify the actual Selespeed layout and the whereabouts of any relays, the wiring diagram shown on my CD service Manual is next to useless, you can't even read the numbers. Fiat are no help at all, here in the UK any model out of production for more than 8 years is of no interest to them. I'm retired now but was a car tech for over 30 years but these modern day electrics can throw up some mind boggling faults, I shan't forget the recall on the coil packs on this car - who would ever think it would send the mileage clicking up like a one arm slot machine and make the headlights constantly alternate between high and low beam - but it did!
I've pretty much given up on this fault now, resigned to having a "two speed gearbox" for a few miles each time I go out. I've had the car from new, it still looks a show stopper, upgraded with Eibach suspension and 18" OZ wheels, runs a treat on LPG with the BRG system so it's cheap to run, I can forgive it for (almost) anything - which is just as well having spent well over 3 grand GBP last year replacing just about everything underneath that wears out and having it re-sprayed I will probably own it for life - it's probably worth the equivalent of a 16 pack of toilet rolls now!!

Hello. You can use fiat elearn. There is cd version but here is online version:

http://4cardata.info/elearn/192/2/


You can use direct link to selespeed diagram:

http://4cardata.info/elearn/192/2/2001017/2000113/2002179/3361155

Random behaviour can be a fault with the gearbox computer itself.

Hi mdrazic,
I'm really grateful for the links, at last I have some idea what I have to battle with - if I get a chance due to the current state the world is in! Many thanks Martin