Technical Gears won't change

[AnnieMD]

Hello
When the weather and the car is hot and in traffic my Fiat 500 won't change gear. It will go back to normal if I turn off the engine and restart. I took it to a garage and they ran a diagnostic which found nothing wrong. It's a 2013 manual. Can anyone advise please?

 

[rmjbn1]

Hi and welcome

Clutch slave cylinder would be most likely I think.

Usually the first thing to fail, typically get sticky when hot.

It's also the cheapest part to replace, so without further diagnosis that's where I would start.

But could also be master cylinder, or gear cables.

How's the fluid level? Any sign of leaks around the master or slave cylinders?

 

[AnnieMD]

Hi and welcome

Clutch slave cylinder would be most likely I think.

Usually the first thing to fail, typically get sticky when hot.

It's also the cheapest part to replace, so without further diagnosis that's where I would start.

But could also be master cylinder, or gear cables.

How's the fluid level? Any sign of leaks around the master or slave cylinders?

Thank you. I had the fluid topped up, then I had the clutch bled which did seem to make a difference but then it went wrong again. Would the slave cylinder show on a diagnostic?

 

[AnnieMD]

I don't suppose you'd be able to put a picture of the clutch slave cylinder up? Cheeky I know but I am an old lady

 

[rmjbn1]

I'm sorry my mistake I missed that this was on a 500X not a 500...

... I don't think a slave cylinder, or any clutch hydraulic issue would show up on diagnostics.

It looks like the slave cylinder is internal, on the 500X, with only a flexible pipe connection visible on top of the gearbox (but hidden underneath the battery).

Which would mean gearbox out to replace the slave cylinder, so not such an easy job.

I'm not sure, I don't have a 500X and I couldn't find any good images.

Sorry again for my misunderstanding. Hopefully a 500X owner who knows more than I do will be along soon.

 

[AnnieMD]

I'm sorry my mistake I missed that this was on a 500X not a 500...

... I don't think a slave cylinder, or any clutch hydraulic issue would show up on diagnostics.

It looks like the slave cylinder is internal, on the 500X, with only a flexible pipe connection visible on top of the gearbox (but hidden underneath the battery).

Which would mean gearbox out to replace the slave cylinder, so not such an easy job.

I'm not sure, I don't have a 500X and I couldn't find any good images.

Sorry again for my misunderstanding. Hopefully a 500X owner who knows more than I do will be along soon.

Mine is a 500 S so it's not the right thing?

 

[rmjbn1]

Ah, the two door 500? Not the big 5-door hatch?

Then we're back on to it being an easy job

(This post showed up in the section for the 500X, which is a completely different car).

The slave cylinder is bolted to the top of the gearbox, underneath the battery.

This video shows the location and the problem well:

 

[AnnieMD]

Thank you so much. I have taken it to three garages and they all said they don't know what's wrong

 

[AndyRKett]

When you say turn it off and on again and it’s all ok, do you mean you turn it off and let it cool down?

My theory is that it’s a contaminated clutch

 

[AnnieMD]

Hi, no I don't let it cool down just turn engine off with key, restart it, then it goes into gear

 

[rmjbn1]

Very similar discussion going on here which may help:

Sticking in gear | FIAT 500 (2007+)

Hi all, I’m hoping you can help. 2017 500S 1.2 with 71k miles. Driving on motorway in stop-start traffic and car got stuck in 1st gear and wouldn’t come out. Managed to get to hard shoulder and switch car off and get it out of gear. Started the car and it’s driven home fine. It did the same...

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