Fiat Avidia motorhome 2020 ESC issues sending us into limp mode HELP please

Peter AD · Newbie

Fiat Avidia motorhome 2020 ESC issues sending us into limp mode HELP please

Possum3 · Guru

Welcome to GN's Peter, Avida is a very difficult Company to get service from ( their Dealer that sold you the unit is responsible for rectifying faults under warranty). I strongly suggest that you write to dealer outlining you problems, if you cannot get satisfaction, you may have to go through Dept of Fair Trading in the State that you purchased the unit.

Tony Bev · Guru

A warm welcome from me also, Peter AD

Sorry to say that I do not have any experience on newer Fiat Ducato, as mine is a 2006 model

There is an Australian Fiat Ducato Motorhome Facebook page, with some cluey people there

There is also a (English) Fiat forum, with a section for Fiat Ducato, once again there are some cluey people there

A 2020 model would still be under warranty, I thought that Fiat had a roadside assistant policy, for new vehicles

If you can let us know what the problem was, after repairs, it may help other Fiat Ducato motorhome owners

Peter AD · Newbie

this will be third time into service department, yes it is costing avidia every time a get a tow but the hassle is terrible.. This all started after I installed airbags!! I have disconnected all power to the bag compressor and gauges but no change. I wondering now if I need to remove them altogether?/

cheers

I'l let u know what service say but last time they removed the faults and they just came back. A forth time fix like that is just not good enough.

Bicyclecamper · Guru

Their was a big whinge session on here some months back about a very late model 4WD twin cab, that had the same problem. We don't know the outcome yet, But I suspect it is either the Auto gearbox or just an under powered engine. Either way, I had the issue greatly in an 2009 Pathfinder , that just about destroyed us financially, not to mention just couldn't get away in it. I sold that at a loss. I think modern diesels are just junk. Yes it is good to have a Turbo on them, but don't add the normally junk temperamental ECU. I hope you solve the problem, but this problem will be a forever issue involving modern diesels, and won't go away until electric vehicles are a norm. My brother/inlaw, runs Semi trailers, has just one brand of truck, never had issues with them, Buys 2 new Half million dollar one's every years sells at 4 years old. Has 30 trucks. He has made that company he buys from a lot of money. He is a having the limp mode issue in the last 3 he has bought. It is cost him millions when I truck is off the road. He has had it with the current crop of trash trucks, of that brand. The company cannot solve the problem.

-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Monday 12th of July 2021 04:30:39 PM

Legendts · Member

Peter AD get the codes from them as well. This will/should at least point you in the direction of the problem. When you get the codes do a search for them.

A bit late but if you had a Scanguage or similar code reader that allows you to clear the codes in an emergency you would also know what the codes are to point you in the right direction.

Also you could try posting here https://www.fiatforum.com/ducato/480513-fiat-ducato-fault-code-c1219-16-a.html

-- Edited by Legendts on Monday 12th of July 2021 04:11:00 PM

spida · Guru

From my experience - and from others I know - it seems the 'limp' mode is often a computer problem. Mine was fixed with a computer reset, but a friend with a RAM had to get a whole new computer after many problems and tows!!!!

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Its often heat build up in transmissions . If it makes you feel better an automatic Detroit diesel can do the same if pushed ! Theres no air flow through trans / oil coolers at low speeds !! Im fitting a fan to my cooler ! It MAY pay to pull the gears down manually and taking it easy !! Foot hard down with turbo auto diesels leads to overheating auto ! Often because it is not an engine issue the fault code may not tell you exactly what caused it ? Imo if your pulling hard up
Hills ? Can near guarantee heat, overworked transmission.. The company wont admit to it ! As it leaves them with legal issues !

Peter AD · Newbie

Hi, pretty sure it's not heat issues as it happens when it is still warming up on the flats 5 mins in , or when Im even turning the steering wheel stationary to park.
happens when towing and more so when not towing. I'll let you know what the service guys say but I hope they find the cause.
cheers thanks for your input.

If anyone has had the same 4 statements come up on their fiat and how they fixed it, that would be great.

Bookleaf · Veteran Member

Double post

-- Edited by Bookleaf on Tuesday 13th of July 2021 02:59:33 PM

Bookleaf · Veteran Member

@Peter AD. You say it all started after the installation of airbags (suspension I assume)

Did you install them yourself or did you get it done?

My 2 cents worth is that it is associated with the wiring of the installation, either directly or indirectly.

You have said you have disconnected all power to the airbag system. Does this mean the removal of wiring from the battery terminals?

I would suggest going back over every step of the install and re-seating, retightening, and replugging every connection that might have been knocked or undone or moved or been close to the hand/arms/tools of the installer in any way what-so-ever during the install. Also, trace every wire very closely for its whole length to ensure there has not been a short or rubbing introduced/created/allowed to happen during the install.

Physically move, un-cable tie, inspect every wire and all wiring it comes in contact with. To me, this sounds like an intermittent electrical fault caused by poor contacts or shorts/rubbing created during the install, not an actual developed problem with the vehicle. The error codes show the random symptoms that the ECU is being tricked into thinking exists, not an actual problem that the ECU codes/message display.

Happy hunting. Intermittent faults are a real bum to track down.

And, going by the various posts and threads I have read, Fiat and their agents are well known to be clueless about how their vehicles work.

-- Edited by Bookleaf on Tuesday 13th of July 2021 02:58:50 PM

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Yep grounds, earths high resistant connections , wiggle test ?? . Has a speed sensor been knocked off etc

montie · Guru

Peter AD wrote:
Hi , Avidia 2020 fiat motorhome 2.2 160HP , 9 speed auto. we are getting " ESC unavailable", "hill holder unavailable", " start stop unavailable" then check brake controller and check engine. Rv then goes into limp mode staying in same gear untill it stops!!
2 1200$ tows to 2 different fiat mechanics and now today , stopped us 10 times today that we had to return home again. ARGHHHH!!
6 turns of the ignition and then start never fixes it and 10 kms down the road it does it again.
Its going back again tomorrow and fear they will just clear the codes again which is not good enough. ANYONE HAD SAME ISSUES. 170 grand motorhome and cant use it!! eeck

feed back greatly appreciated

Peter,

You have had an after market modification done by the fitment of airbags and it seems from the info you have posted that it was coincidental with your vehicle computer problems.

That needs to be your first port of call to eliminate any problems there. A chat with the airbag installer would be advisable.

Peter AD · Newbie

thanks guys,

A " air bag specialists" apparently installed the airbags. I have rung them and asked them exactly what they did with electrics.

they said

1. compressor has been ground to chasis and positive went to battery and fused ( check the positive and its on the battery ) haven't found earth or looked yet

2. gauges at front were piggy backed onto the brake fuse !!! NOW this is what thought was the problem so I change the gauges power to the cigarette lighter and fused the power, 4wd specialists and aig bags guys in town said that was dodgy what they did at the install!!

then .....errors went away but returned so removed both fuses and still no change.

I'm ringing Leon at airbag Australia tomorrow to discuss to whole issue. FUN TIMES. I'm so disappointed with installers that say they know what they are doing and then ______ it up!!

montie · Guru

Peter AD wrote:
thanks guys,

A " air bag specialists" apparently installed the airbags. I have rung them and asked them exactly what they did with electrics.
they said
1. compressor has been ground to chasis and positive went to battery and fused ( check the positive and its on the battery ) haven't found earth or looked yet
2. gauges at front were piggy backed onto the brake fuse !!! NOW this is what thought was the problem so I change the gauges power to the cigarette lighter and fused the power, 4wd specialists and aig bags guys in town said that was dodgy what they did at the install!!
then .....errors went away but returned so removed both fuses and still no change.

I'm ringing Leon at airbag Australia tomorrow to discuss to whole issue. FUN TIMES. I'm so disappointed with installers that say they know what they are doing and then ______ it up!!

Peter,

Did you organise the airbag fitment?

Or did you you order it through the selling dealer?

Basically, who did you pay?