Technical Dualogic jumps out of gear?

[tjayuk]

Hi Guys, I actually have a Fiat Idea but im presuming the Dualogic gear box is the same as the Punto's?

Its a 54 plate and drives very smoothly gear changes are generally fine. Howver after about 40mins of driving the dualogic gear box seems to just change to neutral.

I can be in any gear from 1st-4th and driving along and suddenly I am coasting and the gearbox is in neutral and beeping at me. I have to come to a stop switch the engine off and back on to be able to get gear selection again.

Other times I can be driving along and the gearbox jumps out of auto in manual mode and i can drive a bit further before it eventually jumps into neutral. I can then move back to manual mode but cannot select auto again until I switch the engine off.

Gear changes otherwise are generally smooth although i have always noticed a click or clunk when dropping to 2nd from 3rd.

I am guessing perhaps this is more electronical than the gearbox actually failing? If Im being honest I dont really know and my regualr mechanics know nothing about this gearbox so was hoping for some pointers or help here

Cheers
Tom

UPDATE: I have today checked the levels in the gear box and it was very low and the switch was leaking a little. I have topped up the Dualogic/Selespeed fluid to the max hoping this would solve the problem and ordered a new switch.

But again driving around today even with full fluid the same thing keeps happening I am going to return to a fiat specialist but I'm worried of going down the we will try this and see if it works path

If anyone has had a similar error/fault I would appreciate some help

 

[Glynnux]

My first thought was that your theory that it's electrical may be possible as the box works normally initially. You may have to bite the bullet and get a diagnostic.
It also occurred to me that the hydraulics could be at fault. I've also read of someone (by the name of Reg) having a hairline crack in a pressure relief component. Having it replaced cured his immediate fault. Cost was £275...he then had an oil leak from the box which may have been caused by the repairer.
I'm afraid I can't be more helpful but I am interested to see how this resolves (check my sig).
Apparently the gearbox is the same as the manual unit and interchangeable but it's likely that the fault is with the dualogic selector unit.
The thread is here:
https://www.fiat.co.uk/Community/forums/1/9694/ShowThread.aspx

Good luck with getting it sorted.

 

[tjayuk]

Hi Glynnux thanks for the reply.

I have found a leak from the dualogic/selespeed fluid box caused by the microswitch which was meant there was a very low amount of fluid in the gearbox. The earth to the pump and switch also very corroded. So I now have a new switch and have re-earthed the the pump

I was hoping this would fix the problem but unfortunately it still remains.

I have had a Fiat Alfa specialist run a diagnostic and do the work - they were certain that it was the earth and very low fluid level causing my problems. I will have to take it back and start again im just really worried about the costs building up and up with no clear reason of why the fault exists

 

[tjayuk]

Just an update for people how I am getting on! I went for a drive with the examiner plugged into the car to try and see the errors!

The car drive fine for at least 20mins or 8 miles then jumped from auto to manual and gearbox fail came up the car would then not select reverse and the diagnostic said sensor failure or mechanical fault - so even the diagnostics doesn't know which it is!!

The mechanic an I both agreed its unlikely to be mechanical as te car drives fine initially after the gearbox fail error I was able to turn the ignition of restart the car and we were fine to drive again no issues?! Bizarre anyway I'm getting the sensor replaced at more cost but after that has been done I'm kind of at a dead end and a loss at what to do as this is the only error that comes up on the examiner.

If anyone has any other ideas or Has some experience and wants to come and help me it would e much appreciated