Fiat 500 Gear Linkage Problems
A common issue that has been flagged up with the FIAT 500 1.2 pop model is related to its gear linkage. This particular problem arose when one of the gear cables snapped unexpectedly, causing the vehicle to get trapped in reverse. Upon replacement of both gear change cables and fitting them correctly (seemingly with only one method of fitting), there were still challenges experienced.
The gear lever’s movement felt constrained, particularly when attempting to move it left or right. As a result, not all gears could be accessed. A common sentiment was that it felt like only the 1st & 2nd, or 3rd & 4th gears could be selected, with the 5th and reverse being inaccessible.
Possible Causes and Solutions
- Leverage and Travel: The gear system may work by one cable pushing or pulling a lever in various directions. Ensuring the correct distance from the cable to the pivot point is crucial as it affects the leverage and travel.
- Full Range of Travel: It’s important to disconnect at the ‘box end’ and confirm if there’s full range of travel at the lever. In the described case, the gear lever was confirmed to have a complete range of travel up and down, left and right when disconnected. This observation suggests that there might be an issue on the gearbox side or something requiring adjustment.
- Clevis Issues: A potential problem could be related to the clevis at either end of the cable. If designed to pivot on the lever but is obstructed in some way, it might force the cable to bend, which in turn would reduce the travel. This could also possibly explain why the cable might break. However, in the case described, there was no clevis; it was ball and knuckle joints on both ends.
- Cable Travel Measurement: It’s beneficial to measure the travel on the cable and the travel on the lever it operates to see if they align properly. Additionally, ensuring that the cable outer is fixed correctly is crucial. If it isn’t, it could result in a reduction in travel.
Professional Diagnosis
After consultation with a mobile mechanic, it was deduced that the gear selector or mechanism might have been the main culprit. The issue was that it only moved in one specific direction, allowing shifts between 1-2 and 3-4 gears, but preventing access to the 5th gear or reverse.
Resolution
To resolve this gear linkage issue, the vehicle was taken to a professional garage. It was identified that the gear selector mechanism was faulty but was fortunately repairable. However, the fix required another set of gear cables. The cost for these repairs, in conjunction with other unrelated expenses over a short period, highlighted the maintenance demands of such vehicles.
Additional Notes
A word of caution for FIAT 500 owners: This gearbox is notoriously known for bearing failures, adding to the list of challenges that both the KA and the 500 models might possess. Always ensure regular check-ups and be attentive to any signs of malfunction to avoid costly repairs down the line.