punto auto box light 1998 please help

[adamcumnock]

Hi Im new to this forum.

i have just bought a 1998 punto automatic it a 60 model.
it has lay up for the last 3.5 years
the car starts first turn
when i bought it there was only a little oil in the gearbox so i topped it up but still no joy
the gearbox light comes on when trying to select gears but when in the gear it stays off but will not drive anywhere, i have been reading loads of posts but can find nothing helpfull to my issue, can anyone help pritty please

 

[adamcumnock]

forgot to say its only covered 15,000 miles from new

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Hi Adam, Firstly what oil did you top it up with?

Secondly has it ever driven with you? Does it not go in any gear (R/D/L) etc?

And you say the lights come on when Selecting gear and then go off

Jon.

 

[adamcumnock]

first thanks for your reply,
i topped it up with atf fluid dextron3 i think it was as this what looked to be on the bottom of the dip stick, there was a small amount of oil in her,
the car has never driven with me no, bought as a non runner,
the car will allow you to select all gears but there is no drive at all
i have been reading a few threads and looks like it has a cvt gearbox and a powder clutch but maybe in clutching at straws but unsure what these both are, thought it was going to be a simple repair i have a good mechanical knowlege but not really on auto boxes, the gearbox light on the dash comes on somethimes in various level positions and even comes on when the drivers door is open which i think is odd, do you think it is an elec fault thats where its steering me too but any help would be most grateful, if this does not work i will need to convert it to manual as the engine has only only done 15k far to good to waste many thanks adam

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

OMG, DO NOT RESTART!!!!

With that oil in your more that likely to have complicated stuff

You need properly CVT oil.

Can be brought from Fiat at £10 per Litre bottle, or Motor factors (trying to think which one, as its not easy to get) or about £35 for 5L. I'll get the bottle out when I get home tomorrow (away at the mo) to confirm the motor factors.

Fully drain gearbox and refil with correct stuff before trying to re-start. Gearbox pump starts as soon as engine does you see. I'd even change the filter personally now as that's likly to be full of the wrong oil.

Is there a leak from the gearbox? Low oil seems very unusual. How did you check the oil, and did you do it against the correct markers? (cold temp markers and hot temp markers) on the dipstick. Also, was the engine running at the time etc as it needs to be checked in accordance to Punto Manual which if anything like Panda, engine needs to be running with the gear selection run back and forth a few time before checking.

When you re-fil ensure you put EXACTLY the correct amount in. Over fill it, and you'll get worse results than when you over fill engines with oil. Seals and all sorts will give Quantity should be findable in either cars hand book or haynes manual (neither of which I have) and should give a from dry capacity and a change capacity (something like 2.8 and 1.8L respectily in the Panda, but please check for your Punto).

Right, Clutch, this is where the failure is likly to be. These gearboxes often fail within the first 20,000 mike or will go on for a good 150,000 miles! Often the cause of failure is either the clutch, to the brush contacts to the clutch. To find out on how to check and change these I'd get a Haynes manual if you haven't already got one as it should all be in there with exact guide on how to test and check the bits.

I hope this helps further.

Jon.