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!

 

[jrkitching]

Is this a costly part mechanic fix

Unfortunately yes.

It's the transmission fault that's going to be the big issue. See this thread.

 

[koalar]

Seems strange

Did both faults appear at the same time

Oil can = engine

No gears available = gearbox

Has husband checked engine oil, hydraulic oil or both

 

[jrkitching]

Seems strange

Did both faults appear at the same time

Yes, I'm struggling to think of anything which could connect the two faults.

The oil warning light could be a number of things; if you've recently done an oil change and used a cheap filter, it could be as simple as a missing or weak anti drainback valve in the filter; easily fixed by replacing the filter with one of better quality.

The transmission issue is potentially serious, since any major transmission fault will put the car well beyond economic repair. After almost twenty years, it might be possible to restore proper operation for a time by ensuring the selespeed fluid is at the correct level (don't mess with this unless you know what you're doing!), resetting the fault codes and following the clutch relearn procedure, but if it needs more than this, I'd suggest you put your energy and money into finding a replacement car.

 

[moipanda]

Unfortunately yes.

It's the transmission fault that's going to be the big issue. See this thread.

Thanks for the thread link...holy crap, if I knew these Panda dual logic gears are so problematic I would've stayed well clear! I just wanted a small car which had high seats comfortable for my dad to get in/out of car to from hospital appointments....looks like I have to sell it for scrap! I have spent a lot of money on it already!

 

[moipanda]

Unfortunately yes.

It's the transmission fault that's going to be the big issue. See this thread.

Thanks for the thread link...holy crap, if I knew these Panda dual logic gears are so problematic I would've stayed well clear! I just wanted a small car which had high seats comfortable for my dad to get in/out of car to from hospital appointments....looks like I have to sell it for scrap! I have spent a lot of money on it already

Yes, I'm struggling to think of anything which could connect the two faults.

The oil warning light could be a number of things; if you've recently done an oil change and used a cheap filter, it could be as simple as a missing or weak anti drainback valve in the filter; easily fixed by replacing the filter with one of better quality.

The transmission issue is potentially serious, since any major transmission fault will put the car well beyond economic repair. After almost twenty years, it might be possible to restore proper operation for a time by ensuring the selespeed fluid is at the correct level (don't mess with this unless you know what you're doing!), resetting the fault codes and following the clutch relearn procedure, but if it needs more than this, I'd suggest you put your energy and money into finding a replacement car.

I'll have to get in touch with the mechanic who did the oil change, he did tell me that he had to syphon it out due to the base cap bolt was jammed in and he didn't want to force it open and for it to be damaged & then I'll need another part and can't use car until fix. He did service my husband car but drained his oil..both cars done on our drive. No mention of this from on previous oil change/service.
Oil can symbol and 'Check Transmission' message and "No gear available" message & gear issue happened a year ago once but never returned until a month ago..I mentioned this to another mechanic last year, he said no fault codes showed and he couldn't find any issues, and the same verdict from last month's service.
Last month been looking to buy another car from Auto trader but haven't found something suitable, also was waiting for MOT to be done in a few days then put it up for sale..serious bad timing & headache now, car might not even pass MOT! Thank you for all your advice, will dicuss with mechanic.

 

[moipanda]

Seems strange

Did both faults appear at the same time

Oil can = engine
View attachment 457687







No gears available = gearbox
View attachment 457688

Has husband checked engine oil, hydraulic oil or both

Yes, Oil can symbol flashes, then seconds later "Check your transmission" message and then 30 seconds later "No gear available" message.

Will ask him if he has checked these oils, thank you!

 

[moipanda]

Seems strange

Did both faults appear at the same time

Oil can = engine
View attachment 457687







No gears available = gearbox
View attachment 457688

Has husband checked engine oil, hydraulic oil or both

Yes, we checked both oil and brake/transmission fluid. Just below max for both. Was recently serviced so wasn't expecting a problem.

 

[koalar]

Yes, Oil can symbol flashes, then seconds later "Check your transmission" message and then 30 seconds later "No gear available" message.

Will ask him if he has checked these oils, thank you!

Well that's strange

They are not connected

One is engine one is gearbox

When you open the driver's door you should hear a buzzing, how long does it go on for approximately

If you can post a video of the error coming up on the dash

 

[koalar]

Yes, we checked both oil and brake/transmission fluid. Just below max for both. Was recently serviced so wasn't expecting a problem.

That's strange the gearbox hydraulic oil should not be at maximum

It should be at minimum after the drivers door has been opened, then checked


Are you sure thier looking at the right place, it's not easy to check unless the heat shield is missing

 

[MrMagoo]

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.

 

[koalar]

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

 

[jrkitching]

Yes, we checked both oil and brake/transmission fluid

Now I'm getting confused about what has actually been checked. Brake fluid is in a reservoir under the bonnet and has absolutely nothing to do with either of the issues you're experiencing. Engine oil is checked under the bonnet using the dipstick; whilst very low oil level could put on the oil warning light, it has absolutely nothing to do with the transmission. Both the above items are routine user inspections.

There are two fluids in the transmission; the gearbox oil and the automatic robot fluid. Neither can be checked without tools and neither would normally be considered user checkable items, unless you are an experienced home mechanic.

 

[moipanda]

Will double check what has been checked or not with mechanic (stiĺl waiting on reply) and ask husband to confirm also...Going to put it in for MOT no pass no fee kind, can't trust some mechanics/garages around here, the last one suggested certain repair advisories etc that I needed and they would fix but an inspection by another independent mechanic said nothing needed to be done they ere trying it on! Thank you!

 

[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

Below is what my mechanic serviced, my husband rechecked the engine oil, coolant and brake fluid. I can't find instructions online on how to check gear box and clutch oil? "Normally you can't see the level unless you raise the car and and remove the heatsink" I assume it's not something I can do without correct equipment.

 

[koalar]

Below is what my mechanic serviced, my husband rechecked the engine oil, coolant and brake fluid. I can't find instructions online on how to check gear box and clutch oil? "Normally you can't see the level unless you raise the car and and remove the heatsink" I assume it's not something I can do without correct equipment.

View attachment 458104

Some alarm bells are ringing such as

Transmission oil and filter
Power steering fluid

I suspect it's generic form so probably meaningless

 

[koalar]

Gearbox oil
Gearbox hydraulic oil

Both need parts removing to check

Unless someone has previously left the heatsink off

 

[koalar]

Clutch and brake reservoirs you can visually check easily

Engine oil is via the dipstick

 

[varesecrazy]

Will double check what has been checked or not with mechanic (stiĺl waiting on reply) and ask husband to confirm also...Going to put it in for MOT no pass no fee kind, can't trust some mechanics/garages around here, the last one suggested certain repair advisories etc that I needed and they would fix but an inspection by another independent mechanic said nothing needed to be done they ere trying it on! Thank you!

Worth noting that getting error codes for any Gearbox faults may require equipment NOT posessed by some mechanics..

Engine codes are much simpler to obtain

Which side of London are you?

 

[moipanda]

Worth noting that getting error codes for any Gearbox faults may require equipment NOT posessed by some mechanics..

Engine codes are much simpler to obtain

Which side of London are you?

Thanks for the information, based in SE London, near Dartford area.