Technical Fiat 500 gearbox issues

[Fishsafc]

Hello, hoping someone can assist. Bought my wife a Fiat 500 2013 plate in December and since then on three occasions it has stuck in 1st gear. When eventually getting it out it won't go back in. I've read info about a possible recall but there is nothing on the government website referring to a recall for this vehicle. Any assistance would be great thanks.

 

[rmjbn1]

Hi
Manual or DuaLogic (auto) gearbox?
Which engine?

 

[Fishsafc]

Hi
Manual or DuaLogic (auto) gearbox?
Which engine?

Its manual and a 1242 cc. Its got 60k miles not 30k as I said.

 

[rmjbn1]

Does the clutch pedal stay down or spring back up?

Any sign of leaks at the master cylinder, slave cylinder, or connector inside the front left wheel arch?

How's the clutch fluid level?

Sticky clutch slave cylinder is very common, especially when hot.

Could also be master cylinder, gear cables, or selector.

I would start by
Bleeding the clutch (if the fluid is cloudy, change it)
Putting a bit of grease under the boot of the slave cylinder
see if that helps.

Shown in this video (Panda, but same gearbox):


Also, when it happens, does turning the engine off help?

 

[Fishsafc]

Does the clutch pedal stay down or spring back up?

Any sign of leaks at the master cylinder, slave cylinder, or connector inside the front left wheel arch?

How's the clutch fluid level?

Sticky clutch slave cylinder is very common, especially when hot.

Could also be master cylinder, gear cables, or selector.

I would start by
Bleeding the clutch (if the fluid is cloudy, change it)
Putting a bit of grease under the boot of the slave cylinder
see if that helps.

Shown in this video (Panda, but same gearbox):


Also, when it happens, does turning the engine off help?wife

Does the clutch pedal stay down or spring back up?

Any sign of leaks at the master cylinder, slave cylinder, or connector inside the front left wheel arch?

How's the clutch fluid level?

Sticky clutch slave cylinder is very common, especially when hot.

Could also be master cylinder, gear cables, or selector.

I would start by
Bleeding the clutch (if the fluid is cloudy, change it)
Putting a bit of grease under the boot of the slave cylinder
see if that helps.

Shown in this video (Panda, but same gearbox):


Also, when it happens, does turning the engine off help?

Wife switched engine off 3 times and it worked on the 3rd attempt. The clutch was springing back up.
At work at present so can't check the other issues you highlighted. Will do tomorrow. Thanks for your help.

 

[rmjbn1]

If it doesn't want to go in and out of gear with engine off I would suspect cables.

If it only struggles with engine running I would suspect air in the hydraulics.

 

[Ralf S.]

Ye

If it doesn't want to go in and out of gear with engine off I would suspect cables.

If it only struggles with engine running I would suspect air in the hydraulics.

This is the best first test to carry out, unless the pedal is sticking down or just feels odd (spongey or suddenly over-light).

If the gears go in and out easily when the engine is off, then it's a clutch/hydraulics problem.. although at 60k, I would examine the clutch. If bleeding the slave makes it behave for a day or two, then it's likely time for a new clutch.

If you have it apart (gearbox off job) also fit a new slave.. and then you get into the world of "will the QD connector to the master cylinder come undone?" which has its own bunch of related threads..


Ralf S.

 

[Fishsafc]

Ye


This is the best first test to carry out, unless the pedal is sticking down or just feels odd (spongey or suddenly over-light).

If the gears go in and out easily when the engine is off, then it's a clutch/hydraulics problem.. although at 60k, I would examine the clutch. If bleeding the slave makes it behave for a day or two, then it's likely time for a new clutch.

If you have it apart (gearbox off job) also fit a new slave.. and then you get into the world of "will the QD connector to the master cylinder come undone?" which has its own bunch of related threads..


Ralf S.

Thanks. Clutch pedal seems fine. Booked into garage weds for checkover.

 

[John202020]

Thanks. Clutch pedal seems fine. Booked into garage weds for checkover.

Be careful they don't " persuade " you into a new clutch if it's not needed?

 

[Fishsafc]

Be careful they don't " persuade " you into a new clutch if it's not needed?

Thanks. Garage owner is a friend. Already mentioned if its clutch its expensive fix. Hopefully simple fix.