C4 Picasso EGS not always selecting 'N' or 'R'

[zundapp]

There have been quite a few entries on the forum in relation to this EGS gearbox issue, and many suggested remedies. However, no-one seems to have given a definitive fix for the problem. I've tried all the usual remedies, (cleaning the plug/socket connections, making sure all the fuse contacts are sound, replacing the brake switch etc), but to no avail.
My Picasso (an 85000 mile '58 reg diesel) is otherwise in excellent nick and far too good to scrap, but this flaw causes difficulties in everyday use and I can no longer risk parking in multi-story car parks etc. My question is; has anyone found the answer? If you have, please, please, share!

[GiveMeABreak]

Well without wanting to be alarmist, it is very likely that the clutch or one of the actuators may need replacing. But you really need to get the vehicle diagnosed with Diagbox, as that will identify any fault codes present. Once we have those, we can perhaps provide some more info as to the fault.

There are recalibration procedures that can be done on these when required, but you really do need a diagnosis to be honest, as these are very complicated systems. Nobody can really provide you with the answer until we know what the faults are.

[RichardW]

It's possible it's just the selector switch - my Sister's occasionally fails to know what it is doing and won't let her start the engine; I suspect the switch. However, as Marc says, you need some diagnosis. Not sure where you are on the West Coast, but if in reach of Lanark I will happily interrogate it for you.

[RichardW]

Sent you a PM about getting this on the computer....

[RichardW]

Oh, and if it is the switch, a new one is a somewhat -un-amusing £178 There are a few on e-bay around £40-£50 though....

[RichardW]

I interrogated this yesterday - typically it behaved on the way over and whilst we were looking at it! However, there were faults recorded for the switch, so I think that is what is wrong with it; all the other parameters on the gearbox looked OK.

[zundapp]

'New' switch from '08 scrapper on ebay should arrive Tuesday, cost £30 with free delivery. See the result in due course.

[RichardW]

It looks to be as we thought - just remove the 2 screws under the wheel and 'lift' the cowls off. It does suggest that you should reset the gearbox counter if you install a new switch, but I'm not sure what that does. Let me know if it complains, and it can be investigated again!

[zundapp]

Switch arrived as promised on Tuesday - but the car has performed perfectly since my visit to Richard! I know it can't have magically cured itself after several months of misbehaviour, but I'm a bit disinclined to change the selector switch until it shows the fault again. Maybe the threat of having its brains interrogated by Richard frightened it into submission...

Realistically, I'll likely change the switch in the coming week. Update to follow!

[Hell Razor5543]

Stick to the engineers' maxim; "If it ain't broke don't fix it".

[zundapp]

Well, I stuck to the engineers' maxim of 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' until I was left reverseless at the top of a cul-de-sac... So I fitted my scrapyard replacement gear selector switch - and everything now works as it should. Even the cruise control! So Richards' diagnosis was spot-on.

Changing the switch was easy: using the steering column adjuster, lift the steering wheel as far up and out as you can, pull off the cover with 'R' 'N' 'A' 'M' at the selector lever, disconnecting the electrical connector, then underneath the bottom half of the plastic cowl there are two deeply recessed screws - slacken them, they don't actually come out, and lift the top half of the cowl off. This reveals three screws securing the selector switch - remove these, disconnecting the electric connector - it's held in place with an over-centre plastic clip, then replacement is simply the reverse of all that. Took me about twenty minutes, start to finish.

Thanks are again due to Richard for the diagnosis and pointing me in the direction of replacing the selector switch. I'm no longer afraid to park in multi-story car parks!

[RichardW]