Technical Transmission problems

[Manief]

I have imported a Fiat Qubo Switch to South Africa in 2019 from the UK with 20 000 kilometres on the clock. The switch is the Sirus wheelchair accesible conversion and the car is driven from a wheelchair. There is no shifter, only D,N an R buttons on the dash. The dashboard indicates "Automatic" with a small E underneath. It is not possible to change gears manually.

The car was manufactured in 2010, but registered in 2011.

It was driving fine untill about three weeks ago. It goes up to approx 5000 revs in first gear before kicking over to second, even if I let go of the accelerator. On other times is kicks over perfectly but get stuck in 3rd.

I have noted small puddles of oil on my garge floor, which I believe may be transmission fluid, making me wonder if the car needs a top up or new filter or something?

Please advise.

 

[portland_bill]

I've seen these. The buttons are a modification, not by Fiat, but presumably Fiat approved, but issues with them would need to be directed towards the converters.

However, the issue does not appear to be related to the button operation. This will be the automated manual gearbox, normally termed 'Dualogic'. It is a normal manual gearbox, with a 'clever' hydraulic unit sat on it, which operates the clutch and gear selectors.
The gearbox uses the normal gearbox oil.
The hydraulic unit has its own oil, which is not the same as the gearbox oil. (Auto trans oil, I think) There is a reservoir on the side of the gearbox for this, difficult to see and get to, unless the battery is removed. You need to get in there and determine which oil is leaking, and where from. Fiat will only supply the complete hydraulic unit, which is expensive, but there are specialists that will recondition them. Might be a pain, if you have to send it to the UK or Europe for repair.

 

[Manief]

I've seen these. The buttons are a modification, not by Fiat, but presumably Fiat approved, but issues with them would need to be directed towards the converters.

However, the issue does not appear to be related to the button operation. This will be the automated manual gearbox, normally termed 'Dualogic'. It is a normal manual gearbox, with a 'clever' hydraulic unit sat on it, which operates the clutch and gear selectors.
The gearbox uses the normal gearbox oil.
The hydraulic unit has its own oil, which is not the same as the gearbox oil. (Auto trans oil, I think) There is a reservoir on the side of the gearbox for this, difficult to see and get to, unless the battery is removed. You need to get in there and determine which oil is leaking, and where from. Fiat will only supply the complete hydraulic unit, which is expensive, but there are specialists that will recondition them. Might be a pain, if you have to send it to the UK or Europe for repair.

Thanks for the response. It was done by Sirus automotive in the Uk and I bought if from a dealer as part of the motability scheme. (https://sirusautomotive.co.uk/). If I knew it had this stupid gearbox I would rather have bought a car with a straightforward auto box like a VW Caddy.

Car is going to the dealer tomorrow.

 

[Manief]

Thanks for the response. It was done by Sirus automotive in the Uk and I bought if from a dealer as part of the motability scheme. (https://sirusautomotive.co.uk/). If I knew it had this stupid gearbox I would rather have bought a car with a straightforward auto box like a VW Caddy.

Car is going to the dealer tomorrow.

Got the vehicle back today, the problem seems to be adressed. Apparantly the brake light switch is mounted on the floorboard and it somehow came loose because the cavity in the floor board is worn out, so they temporarily fixed the switch to the floorboard. Depending on the costs, I will order a new floorboard, otherwise the temporary solution will become permanent....

 

[Manief]

Got the vehicle back today, the problem seems to be adressed. Apparantly the brake light switch is mounted on the floorboard and it somehow came loose because the cavity in the floor board is worn out, so they temporarily fixed the switch to the floorboard. Depending on the costs, I will order a new floorboard, otherwise the temporary solution will become permanent....

Hi everyone. The temporary solution mentioned by me in my previous thread did not become permanent as I have hoped. A new floorboard is not available in SA. What will help me is I can get a diagram or something showing me where the switch is located so that I can have an idea of how this switch is fitted. Anyone who can help.?

 

[portland_bill]

Looking at the parts listing, the brake light switch is fitted on the pedal box. (This is the frame that the brake and accelerator pedals mount and pivot on.)
As your vehicle is a 'drive from wheelchair', does it have the normal pedals? Do they move when operated from any hand controls?
I'm thinking that if the normal pedals are removed, or do not operate from any hand controls, the switch you are having trouble with is part of the conversion process.
Floorboard is a term we usually use for the floor of the vehicle. This should last as long as the vehicle. Rust in later years might kill the whole van, but I would not expect it to 'wear out'. If the floor is distorting due to the wheelchair use, then the conversion is suspect, but a competent bodyshop should be able to make a repair, including reinforcing it. Replacing with a new original panel will not make it stronger of course.
If your garage cannot see a way to fix this, I think you need a different garage.
If the floor is distorting enough to put the brake switch out of adjustment, this may not be safe to use, as it suggests that the wheelchair is soon to fall through.

If the problem is with any part of the conversion, then Sirus need to know about this. Have you been in touch with them? They may better understand the issue, as it is unlikely anyone here has seen the setup they have created. I would think they would prefer to help fix this issue, rather than face any bad publicity if the story leaked out onto social media, or worse, to disability groups who may withdraw their recommendations for the current models.

 

[Manief]

Thanks a lot for the reply Portland. I apologise if the facts in my post was not detailed enough. This is the apparant problem:

1.The vehicle have normal pedals.
2. Pedals move with the hand controls.
3. What I have been told by the mechanics is that there is a square hole or opening in the floorboard through which the brake light switch fits. The switch is hold in place with clips around the egde of the hole or opening. These clips are broken, and he somehow fixed the switch with cable ties etc. to hold it in place
4. The only solution is to replace the floorboard because the clips cannot be repaired.

Keep in mind that I haven't seen anything for myself, I am trying to interpret what I have been told.

So save from trying to see for myself, lying on my back with a torch in my mouth, I thought I could look at a diagram or something.

 

[portland_bill]

Two pics.
The first is the pedal box arrangement. The pedal box will be similar for manual or auto, so the auto one is not illustrated. The brake light switch is the one labelled 'SGR55501', as it is listed on another pic under electrical items. (Pic2)
As you will see, the pics do not quite match the description you've been given.

Two choices:
1. Take the pics to the garage and ask them to show on the pic what the problem is, and what they describe as the floorboard.
2. Go to another garage, a competent one, for a proper diagnosis and repair, perhaps with a new Fiat clip, not a cable tie.

Be wary of using the part numbers on the pics, as there are codes for differences, petrol diesel, manual, auto, etc. (We don't know what yours is)

 

[Manief]

Two pics.
The first is the pedal box arrangement. The pedal box will be similar for manual or auto, so the auto one is not illustrated. The brake light switch is the one labelled 'SGR55501', as it is listed on another pic under electrical items. (Pic2)
As you will see, the pics do not quite match the description you've been given.

Two choices:
1. Take the pics to the garage and ask them to show on the pic what the problem is, and what they describe as the floorboard.
2. Go to another garage, a competent one, for a proper diagnosis and repair, perhaps with a new Fiat clip, not a cable tie.

Be wary of using the part numbers on the pics, as there are codes for differences, petrol diesel, manual, auto, etc. (We don't know what yours is)

Thank.you. i

 

[Manief]

Thank.you. i will print it tomorrow. Your trouble is highly appreciated. Will keep you updated.

 

[Manief]

The Technician took pictures to explain the problem. Picture 1 (with the arrow) shows the square opening where the switch clips into. Look close at the red circle showing where the clip that must hold the swithch, has been broken off. The technician is of the opinion that the damage was caused during the conversion by Sirus. Picture two shows the same opening with a clip manufactured by the Technician and glued into place. Picture 3 shows the switch being inserted into the opening, a nice tight fit.

The gearbox feels smooth, let's hope this has solved the issue. Thanks for all the advice, if it was 'nt for the forum, I would never have known that a stupid brake light switch will cause tgecgearbix problems I had.