Well it had to happen eventually! After 30k miles and almost two years of fairly trouble free motoring my Abarth decided to throw a wobbly. I came out the other morning and it wouldn't start due to the fact that the gearbox couldn't select neutral (I leave the car in gear as the manual says).

Got the AA to come and look and after a lot of fiddling with disconnecting the battery and checking fuses the bloke from the AA decided that it would have to be towed ("Have you ever seen one of these before?" I asked "er! No!" he replied).

At least they towed it to Coleraine which is over 40 miles away (The nearest dealer is only about 7 miles away) as I prefer Roadside Garages to Mervyn Stewart.

Anyhow, the Stilo must have known it's days were numbered as I'd just ordered a new 156 2.4 JTD the week before and it seems a bit coincidental that it waited until now to throw a strop. Who says cars have no soul?

Just to let you all know the gearbox problem is a faulty selespeed pump. I thought this was the case as I didn't hear the whirring of the pump on opening the drivers door. Unfortunately it's going to take a while to get a new pump . Is this failure a first or has anyone else had this problem?

Jon

Get the car away from Mervyn Stewart they are wan*ers! get it towed over to Parkgate its of the Newtownards road, they sorted out 3 problems with my stilo active that Mervyn Stewart wouldn't or couldn't fixed within 48hrs! Parkgate have my vote hands down

Also while I was there they turned on my lights to flash when I lock/unlock the car hurray!! (and for free!)

So Keep Up the good work parkgate!!!

Is Parkgate a Fiat dealer?

Les Ross
Certified by a Professional.
03 Stilo 5d JTD80 Active
PSI Powerbox and go-faster turtle.

Rest assured the car has NOT gone to Mervyn Stewarts. I have always dealt with Roadside in Coleraine and found them to be extremely courteous and helpful and so the car has gone there (and they phoned today to say the car will be ready tomorrow).

As for Parkgate they are indeed a Fiat dealer. Peugeot wanted them to invest in a road side showroom which they wouldn't do and so the plug (Pug?)was pulled. As far as I know they are also Morgan and TVR dealers (I'll need to think of a good excuse to go over there, TVR MMMMM!!!). My father has dealt with them for a few years, they are a family run business and seem very competent, although with them being so new to Fiat I don't know how much expertise they have sorting all their problems.

If I had warranty issues would it be ok to go to Parkgate or Roadside instead of MS?

Les Ross
Certified by a Professional.
03 Stilo 5d JTD80 Active
PSI Powerbox and go-faster turtle.

Yep its ok to go to another Fiat Dealer. Parkgate are a hell of a lot more helpful and even offered me another car - MS never did that! so goodbye MS hello Parkgate!!!!

Well, I did leave my car into MS once and there was no prob with a courtesy car. Then again I would have been very upset if they didn't as my wife is disabled.

Les Ross
Certified by a Professional.
03 Stilo 5d JTD80 Active
PSI Powerbox and go-faster turtle.

I found that MS spoke down to you like you where just another prat with a car sort of thing. Parkgate did the service (24000m) & the lights to flash & a few other bits all while I waited and after getting the car back it felt brand new again [8D] - - Parkgate will be getting my business a total of 3 fiats (1 punto, 1 Stilo & a new wee panda! lovely little thing

I've bought a few cars from MS and never had a problem. They know their stuff and have always been helpful and friendly with me.

I would worry that Parkgate are a new Fiat dealer. How much could they know about older cars?

<h5>Click here for pictures of my Uno
Click here for pictures of my Brava

Lets just say after finding a piece of fire wood (a stick) holding my battery in place in a brand new stilo from MS I went mad[!] the service managers words where I dont see a problem whats all the fuss about - lets just say he ran when I went to whack him one - my replay was what's the f**king problem![}]

My punto is 3 yrs old and Parkgate have it running like a dream - its just a more pleasant dealership to go into and you don't wait half the morning to be serviced and they ring back when they say they will on like MS - Im still waiting on a call to say the wind deflactors are in stock! - who cares I already have them on my car thanks Parkgate! next day parts!!!

I'm confused. I've used MS twice for parts(wind deflectors and trim clips). The deflectors were there when they said and they did ring,the clips were already in stock. Possibly they are getting their act together.

Les Ross
Certified by a Professional.
03 Stilo 5d JTD80 Active
PSI Powerbox and go-faster turtle.

They must be - I took MS to court over the stilo. Aww well I won't be near MS again for anything! I used Shelborne in Portadown but they are Nissan now I think they where another very helpful dealership.

Parkgate is closer to me. I'll keep them in mind.

Les Ross
Certified by a Professional.
03 Stilo 5d JTD80 Active
PSI Powerbox and go-faster turtle.

I might try them myself.

<h5>Click here for pictures of my Uno
Click here for pictures of my Brava

Also Parkgate are around £10-£15 cheaper for a service on the stilo as when I bought the car from MS they said it was £160-£170 - Parkgate charged me £150 - and didn't come back with oh sorry you need new wipers etc... they did what I ask for 24K service and thats it. My bro bought a punto of MS they handed him back £15 after he paid for the service they said thats because the car isn't washed! christ must be some car wash for £15 must get a hot blow dry[8D]

Right, I have a similar problem.

Selespeed stuck in gear.

It will start without your foot on brake if it's in N, if in 1st it will bleep.

Foot on brake it will start as normal in N and if in 1st will go into neutral then start.

sticks in gears if in manual or automatic.

no 'whirring noise when you open drivers door.

Sound like selespeed pump?

1st dealer wanted 3 1/2 hours labour to strip gearbox about £250
2nd dealer advised re-calibration £40+VAT

When mine got stuck in gear, it was the actuator.

Not sure if same symptoms though.

actually it does make a whirring noise but very faint, sounds as if it's dying!

dan-the-man said:

Right, I have a similar problem.

Selespeed stuck in gear.

It will start without your foot on brake if it's in N, if in 1st it will bleep.

Foot on brake it will start as normal in N and if in 1st will go into neutral then start.

sticks in gears if in manual or automatic.

no 'whirring noise when you open drivers door.

Sound like selespeed pump?

1st dealer wanted 3 1/2 hours labour to strip gearbox about £250
2nd dealer advised re-calibration £40+VAT

Click to expand...

Dan,
I can't believe the issues you've had with your Abarth, how long before you return to the JTD fold?