Technical Fiat Panda 1.2 Eleganza oil can symbol and gear issue

[moipanda]

Hi everyone, I am very new to this forum and to Fiat Pandas. Hopefully posting in the correct area. Got a Fiat Panda 2006 Eleganza 1.2 Dual logic gear type, had it for about 4 years, 47k mileage, was serviced a couple months ago, oils/essential fluids changed and topped up. It had an oil can symbol flash intermittently when starting up , goes away but comes back when starting engine. It also says "No gears available" sometimes, couldn't get in any gears except neutral wheather in manual or automatic mode. Many attempts later, switching engine on, one click, foot down on brake and pumping the gas 5 times to reset it (advice from utube vids), got it in gear to drive. My husband checked oil, no leak, level O.K. no error code reading. Internet google research says oil pressure sensor could be faulty?! Any ideas? Is this a costly part mechanic fix? Has anyone experienced these same issues? Thank you!

 

[moipanda]

So, I opened the door and the pump sounds for 10 secs, started engine, waited for rpm to drop, released handbrake got into gear and then drove around for 10 minutes no issues. Parked up on drive, restarted engine 3 times and got into gear o.k., then restarted 4th time without releasing handbrake prior to getting into gear and the "No gear available" flashed up...since that attempt, I have restarted multiple times but no joy, same warning message! Husband disconnected battery and tried again but still can't get into gear!!! Will leave overnight and pray car works as got MOT booked tomorrow afternoon! Note:the "Check your transmission" message & petrol can symbol DID NOT appear during the whole process, this time.

 

[moipanda]

Something wrong here

There's four oil levels in a dualogic

Clutch
Gearbox
Engine
Brakes


Are you sure your husband has checked the gearbox


Normally you can't see the level unless you raise the car and and remove the heatsink


The level should be at minimum


Post some pictures and or videos so we can see what's happening, I think we are at crossed wires

After some reading up, it's clear we only checked engine bay fluid levels. So only engine oil + coolant + brake fluid.

 

[koalar]

It going to difficult diagnose without much to go on

So, I opened the door and the pump sounds for 10 secs,

This is correct, should be on between 4 and 14 seconds

You can physically check both brake lights are coming on and off correctly, both are the same brightness, and if you put the hazards on neither side dims badly

Pretty much everything else will require diagnostic tools or tools to check

Read the codes (need special equipment) and or check the clutch wear would be next obvious step, before crawling under the car

 

[moipanda]

My partner had something similar with our Panda - the transmission failure indication illuminated and the engine stopped but it was ok on restart and there weren't any fault codes.
I knew the battery was iffy as on some cold days it wouldn't turn over and a new battery has sorted that.
Panda doesn't like damp electrical connections so I liberally spray contact cleaner on all the multi pin connectors.

Thanks for sharing, 9 months ago car wouldn't start, I thought it was due to cold weather and I was away, car sat on drive for 3 weeks. Had to jump start it on a couple of occasions..it would drive ok but once parked up, it wouldn't start again! Checked battery life seemed o.k but it was dated 4 years old so my husband replaced with a new one, he cleaned/sprayed connections with contact cleaner. Car has started fine afterwards but now having to deal with these new issues..endless!

 

[MrMagoo]

When I purchased my car five years ago, I knew I would experience some gearbox issues due to the complexity of automatic cars electronics.
All of my (few) problems have been down due to duff electrical connections, although I would say the Panda has actually passed its design life!
Fault codes suggested a faulty sensor but this was not correct.
What normally gives are the electrical connections which are affected by our damp weather. There's a multi pin connection above the gearbox, this need to be taken apart and liberally sprayed with contact cleaner.

 

[moipanda]

When I purchased my car five years ago, I knew I would experience some gearbox issues due to the complexity of automatic cars electronics.
All of my (few) problems have been down due to duff electrical connections, although I would say the Panda has actually passed its design life!
Fault codes suggested a faulty sensor but this was not correct.
What normally gives are the electrical connections which are affected by our damp weather. There's a multi pin connection above the gearbox, this need to be taken apart and liberally sprayed with contact cleaner.

Had MOT done last week, passed, but car got stuck in neutral gear & we had to push it off the test ramp!!! After trying for an hour no luck, RAC guy came within 30secs he got it in 1st and drove it, no issues, tested diagnostics nothing flagged up!!! I drove it home in automatic mode, parked it up, left it 1st gear (as instructed in book) & pulled up clutch. A couple days later, went to drive it, put key in but can only turn on 1 click, can't fully turn the key...also stuck in 1st gear!!! and screen saying 'no gears avaible"

Mobile mechanic came, he can't shift it in neutral or turn on engine fully either, he tried pushing/rocking car, checked battery not flat...checked diagnostics nothing flagged. He said he changed the transmission oil during last service 2 months ago so it can't be that & if it was, the car when driven from MOT centre to home it would be really chugging and not smooth drive. He thinks it's the selector or gear box issue, he suggested I take to Fiat specliase!

Can you please send me a picture of where & what this multi pin connection looks like...see if my husband can locate it...thanks

 

[koalar]

Sounds the same as this one

Starting issue | FIAT 500 (2007+)

Yes, that would be good practice and would save paying twice to have the bumper removed if the other side were to fail later. Good to know. Made sense to me but just thought I'd check.

www.fiatforum.com

Bit of a long read and gone off topic at the end

But in this case oil is passing the actuator seals and contaminating the neutral sensor

So an internal part in here, is likely

Electrical connector is here

 

[jrkitching]

Had MOT done last week, passed, but car got stuck in neutral gear & we had to push it off the test ramp!!!

What a shame; I'm sorry this has happened to you, especially just after passing its MOT.

Unfortunately I don't think there is going to be any way now of saving this car which isn't going to cost a great deal more than it could ever be worth.

My own view is that your least worst option is to scrap it and move on.

 

[koalar]

When you open the door how long does the pump run for now it's fully failing

 

[MrMagoo]

Do you have a transmission fail indication?

 

[A3jeroen]

Ignition lock 100% ok?

gr J

 

[jrkitching]

Do you have a transmission fail indication?

At the time of the last fault, the OP posted

and screen saying 'no gears available'

which suggests to me that it is indeed a transmission fault.

If it were an ignition lock or immobiliser issue, this message wouldn't be displayed.

 

[koalar]

At the time of the last fault, the OP posted

which suggests to me that it is indeed a transmission fault.

If it were an ignition lock or immobiliser issue, this message wouldn't be displayed.

You beat me to it

No gear available

he can't shift it in neutral

Do you have a transmission fail indication?

Yes they have

Ignition lock 100% ok?

Not in neutral, starter will not engage

 

[A3jeroen]

put key in but can only turn on 1 click, can't fully turn the key...also stuck in 1st gear!!!

Sounds like a problem with ignition switch to me. Will probably go into N when able to be turning further?

gr J

 

[MrMagoo]

Neutral not available is not the same as transmission fault indication

 

[koalar]

Sounds like a problem with ignition switch to me. Will probably go into N when able to be turning further?

gr J

Inhibitor relay stop power to starter unless N is detected by the dualogic electronics

Stuck in gear

No cranking

 

[koalar]

Neutral not available is not the same as transmission fault indication

Op has already stated gear not available

No gears available

Which does indicate a transmission fault