Help - semi automatic gearbox

[Meep]

Hi everyone!

I'm a new motorhome owner - I purchased a nearly new (approx 400 miles on the clock) Ducato van conversion in March 2017. Unfortunately we've only been away in it once as we have had major trouble already with the semi-automatic gearbox.

I'm currently waiting on the side of the road for it to be towed away again as the fault reoccurred on the way back from picking it up from the garage this morning

The problem first occurred about a month after we bought the van. Basically when in automatic mode it starts to feel as if it might stall at slow speeds. Next step is that it does stall, and then won't come out of neutral. If we manage to get it going again then it soon starts to do a horrible juddering, lunges forward with the engine revving and eventually stalls or we have to switch it off to stop it lurching forward. It then won't come out of neutral when we try to restart. It all feels quite dangerous and it's definitely not driveable.

Has anyone heard of/had this kind of problem with a semi-automatic? I do not really know much about semi-automatics and I am pretty upset thinking that I've made a horrible mistake. Starting to wish I'd never bought it....

If anyone can help or advise I'd be so grateful. And I'd love to hear if anyone else had this problem and if it was ever fixed. Feeling pretty depressed about our lovely van right now

Many thanks in advance

Meep

 

[TonyJones]

Hi Emily, welcome.
This is a new one on me. There were lots of transmission problems reported on the first of the X250 series (2007ish), but those were all on the manual versions.
Hopefully someone else on the Forum will know something about this - unless of course it's a one-off, and you've just been unlucky.

 

[LizziePope]

Hi and welcome to the Practical Motorhome forum – thanks for posting.

 

[Aspenshaw]

Meep, let me put your mind at rest, if only partially. The Comfort-matic has a loyal following amongst motorhomers. Whilst a few have experienced problems and some have been difficult to fix, the vast majority of motorhomers with the Comfort-matic seem to think its wonderful. Some of the errors are user induced.

The fixes are difficult because the Comfort-matic reacts with other mechanical parts; for example one fault was traced to the brakes being faulty and the Comfort-matic rightly deciding the van was slowing down even though the driver wasn't. I've had my Comfort-matic for nearly 4 years and over 24,000 miles and it has been totally reliable.

I would suggest you get hold of a copy of the current Comfort-matic 'manual'. It won't be easy to find although I have one for 2013. Use a Fiat Professional dealer rather than a car dealer as the former should have more experienced of the Comfort-matic and motorhomes. You may be doing/have done both of these.

I wonder whether the van runs OK in manual mode or whether you can switch it to manual and carry on when the problem occurs. It will need to be fixed though if it is happening in auto. Have you noticed the speed and rpm when it goes awry? My manual has guidance on how to start up if the gearbox is faulty.

By the way, your contract of sale is with the supplying dealer and they should be sorting this out for you - some dealers try to palm you off as it is a Fiat issue. Look up your rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. See if you can trace the former owner. Finally, do a broad internet search to see if you can find others with your problem.

 

[jonno1103]

Meep this maybe one of the manuals described.

http://aftersales.fiat.com/eLumData/EN/77/250_DUCATO/77_250_DUCATO_603.95.838_EN_01_10.11_SC_CM/77_250_DUCATO_603.95.838_EN_01_10.11_SC_CM.pdf
Semi auto gearboxes are now becoming the industry standard on C1 & C2 vehicles, the technology is well proven. We have a Renault Master fitted with their semi auto offering which, so far, has given 5 years of trouble free motoring.
In 2013 we travelled over Porlock Hill between Minehead & Lynton which put the gearbox under extreme stress meaning that the gearbox oil overheated as the hydraulic pump couldn't manage. our symptoms were similar to what you describe... it was fine after given the time to cool down.

My point being, it's possible that your gearbox oil pump is faulty and was in such a condition during manufacture.

To add to what Aspenshaw suggests, Fiat have dedicated Camper Assistance for all Ducato based motorhome owners who are there to offer assistance in the case of breakdown or other emergency. The operator will transfer your call to a specialist technician or the support team...00800 3428 1111.

Best of luck.

 

[chirene]

Did you not wonder why , it was sold with only 400 miles on clock???