General Marea automatic playing up when cold

[bikeman]

Hi all, when cold our Marea 1.6 ELX auto flattly refuses to change up from 1st to 2nd gear until 4000rpm. As soon as the engine starts to warm up change ups happen normally.

I took it back to the main Fiat dealer and they said it was a characteristic of the model (yet a friends Bravo doesn't do this). Not happy I contact Fiat and they said the same.

If this is a design intent it seems like a good way to pre-maturely wear out the engine.

Have I been fobbed off? Does anyone else have this problem?

 

[subija]

Probably the gearbox temperature sensor is faulty...

Anyway, try this...while engine is cold, switch on the "ice button mode"..if this button is pressed, 2nd gear is automatic selected on departure i.e 1st gear is not selected while in D position( no 1st gear)..see what happen, good luck!

subija

 

[bikeman]

Not quite the response I was hoping for - if you had a manual box would you want to pull away in second? [)]

 

[subija]

This is another respose that you'll not hoping for.....:I[8)]

The reason I wanted you to test the “ice mode” was to check the condition of the solenoids (activation of selenoid) in the geabox while in 2nd gear & to find some hints/symptoms…..

Another information which are unrelated to your problem…...

The Function Selection of Marea Auto gearbox:-

Normal Mode... Normal operating condition i.e all D1,D2,D3 & D4 are used.

SPORT Mode..…does not use 4th gear i.e. gear excluded all the time

Ice Mode…1st gear is excluded …..i.e. 2nd gear used for departure when road surface is splippery ..snow ice & ect.

Another extra features of this gear box, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT, when the g/box temp sensor detected there is an ice/snow underneath the engine while driving, 1st gear will be excluded automatically while departure!

Anyway check the gearbox temp sensor. the readings are 6445 +- 645 ohm at 10 deg cel. 247 +-16 ohm at 110 deg Cel & 111+- 6 ohm at 145 deg Cel. This sensor is located in the gearbox casing and detects the transmission oil temp thru the variation in NTC resistance on the sensitive part of the sensor. The information provided by gearbox ECU is used to increase the line pressure when cold in order to reduce the GEAR CHANGE TIMES.

The resistance of the sensor can be measured by disconnecting the 16-pin connector at the gearbox ( Number 4 & number 12) and connecting an ohm meter.

Check the gearbox oil level during hot & cold too. Periodic oil change: 3 litres or 7.2 kg

Happy Gearing

subija

 

[mackesa]

Hi there .. bought my first auto Marea estate three months ago and have noticed a similar trend with my car as the summer months faded. He (its a boy) won't change up till he clears 3000rpm and sounds a bit frantic leaving our road at six in the morning. I've been using the suggestion from 'subija' and selecting 'Ice' to trundle away from home with a bit more discretion.

Maybe I should change the gearbox sensor thingy when the car is next serviced ..? Other than that, very pleased with the car apart from an annoying drivers door rattle, which will get looked at when the sun comes back out.

 

[Alex]

Slightly off topic, but there is a thread somewhere in the merea or bravo section about drivers doors ratteling, if I find it, I'll post it here.