I guess that many on here are driving MH`s based on the Ducato and wonder if anyone else has had the same experience as me. My PVC is a 2015 with 15,000 miles on the clock and recently the `Check engine` message comes up with the words `Hill holder unavailable`. My understanding is that this is not uncommon - - before I start visiting the Fiat dealer does anyone have any ideas?
Is the failure light on permanently or does it reset when you switch off and restart the engine?
Not had this actual fault but have checked many Fiat forums in the past for an intermittant fault on our Fiat Qubo car. Few thoughts for you from my experiences.
1. Many similar faults are often thought to be caused by:
a) Low battery volts b) Bad earth connection or
c) Faulty or dirty switch.
2.) Some Fiat dealers are much better than others so I would ring first with the symptoms to see 'if they are familiar with problem' before letting them loose on your van! (Can be 'blank cheque' country unless the van is still in the Fiat warranty.)
Our Fiat main dealer here in North Devon is first class and very helpful - I could possibly ring their main man for you 'as a favour'? I have known him personally for some years now ...
('tis quite a long drive from Kent tho' but!)
3.) If possible I would get the diagnostic codes checked (sometimes RAC breakdown can do this if appropriate although they don't have all the Fiat specific error codes.)
4.) I have just looked on some of the forums ref 'hill holder unavailable' and have taken the liberty of pasting a solution when someone's Fiat car had a similar fault to yours:
....................................................
"In my case, the error: "abs, esp, & hill holder not available" was coming every time the car started.
In the same time the ASR Led is on .
I connected the multiecuscan diagnostic and i see the code:
C 1215 Brake pedal switch
The switch located in the back side of brake pedal,
I apply a contact clean spray and the error code never coming again!
sometime I will replace him but for now work's fine"
......................................................
Hope this helps 'badge'
Iggy
------------- The older I get the better I used to be.
Thanks for that Iggy. It is happening intermittently, I will ty the brake pedal thing as that did come up on another forum. I do have quite a good commercial mechanic nearby (because the van was originally registered in Germany the warranty is only 2 years, not 3) and I will sound him out.
On a completely different subject, but one that will interest you, I had to buy yet another guitar last week, and my wife persuaded me to buy it as I wasn`t sure that I needed any more - - how good is that?
Yep - guess could be a good idea if your local mech can look at it - indeed if the fault is quite common he should know. Just a further thought it seems that the 'hill start firmware' is enabled by at least 3 'switches' e.g. the brake switch, a clutch switch and an 'incline sensor'! All great stuff but a pain if it goes wrong!
As said our local Fiat man may be able to help - we have bought them business over the last few years from other local Ducato owners from the Adria Owners Club.
On your other topic - tell your wife that I think she is wonderful!
Me? Playing more than ever - now play in our local church every Sunday - as backing to our keyboard player/singer. I tend to pick out the bass notes as well as some 'finger style' on the 3 top strings rather than just strumming. Good fun - many worship songs are only 4 chords or so.
We ('my wife and I'!) also occasionally play and sing to a new local 'Memory Cafe' - for peeps with dementia. This means we have to learn all the 'old stuff' - 'You are my sunshine' etc. They seem to enjoy it! (?)
As said some time ago - would be really good to meet up sometime to talk about 'Ducatos and G-strings'? We normally only go through Kent on way to France; have you any plans in the near future? Guess you still have my email?
Iggy
AKA Geriatric Guitarist & 'Let me through - I used to be a technician' etc
P.s. Apologies to other forum 'readers' for going so far 'off-topic'.
------------- The older I get the better I used to be.
Hi I have a 2015 130 M Jet Ducato same problem it seems to be when I get up to to 70MPH I get plume of smoke and on comes the ESC and the message Hill Holder Unavailable see handbook I turn engine off it resets but keeps happening just wondered what your outcome was regards
I realised that it was only happening at the beginning of trips when our van had not been driven for a while, and it hasn`t happened at all since I posted the question here earlier in the year so I`m hoping the problem has gone away.
I still get the message appearing but it does only seem to be after the van has been parked up for a while, so generally on the first day of a holiday. It does not affect the driving so I ignore it until it goes away.
Hi Hillstart not available comes on everytime I start the Motorhome up it's a Benimar 202 anyone any ideas how to stop this just had new brake sensor fitted and this is fine
Quote: Originally posted by Bobbypaddy on 30/5/2021
Hi Mate long shot but did you get to the bottom of the problem, i have the exact same model and exact same problem. It’s driving me mad Thanks
I never did, it still happens occasionally, it tends to occur when the van has been parked up for a while and then after going round a couple of nearby roundabouts. The warning lights do go off after a while and so I tend to ignore them till then.
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Topic: Ducato "Hill holder unavailable"
via mobile 13/7/2020 at 9:48pm
