Panda (Classic) 1989 Fiat Panda 1000S New Zealand

[clowndog]

It may, just may be the same problem I have had with mine - an earth issue making the temperature gauge lie to you. Let your car run for a couple of mins and turn switches on and off like the headlights, heaters, wipers etc.

Mine temp gauge used to show in the red all the time when I had lights on dipped beam and flick up and down with the indicators. It turned out to be the alternator brushes that had failed.

Ohh could be that too. Will check it. My headlights are on all the time because my stereo is powered through it. Oops! When I switch the lights off. The stereo powers off.

Fiat switches the lights off when the keys are out anyway. So I just leave it on.

 

[Alixcompo]

You might find you have a small air bleed valve on one of the heater hoses. Open this with the engine running.

Are you sure the heater valve is working.?

Is the coollant circulating.? Heater matrix blocked.?

Dodgey water pump as John suggested.?

There is so much fun to have with such a small car.

 

[clowndog]

You might find you have a small air bleed valve on one of the heater hoses. Open this with the engine running.

Are you sure the heater valve is working.?

Is the coollant circulating.? Heater matrix blocked.?

Dodgey water pump as John suggested.?

There is so much fun to have with such a small car.

Not sure how I check those things, sorry a bit of a newbie here.

I went out for a drive at lunch and this time I had my lights turned off. Funny enough the car took a lot longer to heat up and managed to stick around 100 110 max.

So it could be partly a grounding issue..

 

[Dragon Man]

if the engine is left to idle and you get no heat that is a lazy water pump.

if the engine is driving the car being revved over idle speed, and still not getting any heat through the air vent it does sound like air lock.

the 2 wheel drives do not bleed automatically. only the 4x4's do that (sometimes).

getting no water drips from around the water pump area are you? that is about the same level as the "min" mark on the radiator..:idea:

 

[clowndog]

if the engine is left to idle and you get no heat that is a lazy water pump.

if the engine is driving the car being revved over idle speed, and still not getting any heat through the air vent it does sound like air lock.

the 2 wheel drives do not bleed automatically. only the 4x4's do that (sometimes).

getting no water drips from around the water pump area are you? that is about the same level as the "min" mark on the radiator..:idea:

Oh yeah the other thing is after turning the lights off then starting it this time I turned the heater on and hot air came out almost straight away then I turned it off and switched it back on and it stopped blowing hot air. just normal air.

 

[Dragon Man]

it does sound like some kind of air lock. that is kinda how mine went. heater would work sometimes but not another.
i bled the air out of it by removing one of the heater matrix hoses and after that it has been fine since.

as said before though, you should have a bleed point somewhere on the hose. i never had them on mine as apparently it did it its self being the 4x4. i guess i just helped it.

 

[clowndog]

Quick question. Does anyone know if this part of the rear tail light removes? As you ca see it's got a crack on it and the other one it have has a crack but in a different place.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Quick question. Does anyone know if this part of the rear tail light removes? As you ca see it's got a crack on it and the other one it have has a crack but in a different place. View attachment 127120

Nope, sealed unit I believe.

 

[clowndog]

Hi guys,

I have just been on a long trip with the panda, drove all the way to almost the top of New Zealand. ( will add pics soon)

Midway last week, I did an oil change and replaced the spark plugs.. just as I thought it was about time I did those.

I ran great all the way up till I drove it back today.

It started cutting out at random times... First I thought I was a bit low on fuel. But put some in and literally cut out 10 meters from the fuel station.. let it rest for 5 minutes and it started up fine again. but then did the same thing an half an hour later... It feels like a loose connection but I'm not sure where, it's also doing it very randomly...

I finally made it home safe after pulling over many times (due to engine dying with no response from throttle)
I will take it in to the mechanics tomorrow. But wanted to check with you guys first.

Any Ideas?

ohh here is a pic. Great surf here!

 

[Bartpanda]

Change ellectronic ignition module

http://img10.allegroimg.pl/photos/oryginal/37/84/46/44/3784464423

 

[purple haze]

Check this thread. Lots of ideas why and in the end it was a very simple fix!

 

[clowndog]

Change ellectronic ignition module

http://img10.allegroimg.pl/photos/oryginal/37/84/46/44/3784464423

Thanks for that! Are they known to cause intermittent faults? I sometimes could drive for an hour no problem. Then break down twice in 5 minutes!

 

[clowndog]

Check this thread. Lots of ideas why and in the end it was a very simple fix!

Sorry bro, which thread? I can't see a link. I did search for "engine cutting out" but didn't find anything that matched what I was experiencing..

 

[purple haze]

Sorry...here it is.

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-classic/336848-engine-suddenly-stops-ongoing.html

 

[clowndog]

Thanks for the help guys. Have now replaced the whole distributor as I could get a second hand whole unit for a reasonable price. It's now all hooked up and timing seems correct... haha.

Will take it for a drive now to see how he behaves.

Thanks again!

 

[clowndog]

Quick question. Has anyone heard of PI lowering springs?

Found these on Ebay. Apparently they give a 40mm drop instead of the usual 30mm.

I have nice bilstien shocks so wanting to lower it but also stiffen it up a bit.

Link to springs.. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300935495504&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

Thoughts and comments welcome. Want it lower and to be a bit stiffer around corners. (my other car is a very low big body VIP car so I am used to stiff)

 

[firstcar-Y10]

Got Pi springs on mine, and I believe 'retropanda' is using them too on his 1242. Both been pretty pleased with them. Not overly stiff (still decent ride.....well, for a Panda) but I'm the wrong person to comment on how they compare with standard as I've never had standard springs on. Mine does seem to sit a bit low at the back is the only criticism I'd have but that could just be the spares/tools/subwoofer in the boot.

 

[clowndog]

Got Pi springs on mine, and I believe 'retropanda' is using them too on his 1242. Both been pretty pleased with them. Not overly stiff (still decent ride.....well, for a Panda) but I'm the wrong person to comment on how they compare with standard as I've never had standard springs on. Mine does seem to sit a bit low at the back is the only criticism I'd have but that could just be the spares/tools/subwoofer in the boot.

Thanks bro!

 

[clowndog]

Picked up these today as a bit of a test project / research.

Now I've seen some pandas on 13x7 with resonably low offset.

So I've got the idea these will fit.. just..

13x6 about 0 offset. 4x98pcd



The car is currently at the mechanics so can't even test fit.

Will probably swap my 155/70R13s over to these. Wont be too much stretch.

It also isn't lowered so I'll assume no guard rub for now... haha

Oh well time will tell.

Will need to get some special bolts like this one. (one given to me by seller)



Also will need Hub centric rings 66.1 - 58.1 because the center bore will be too large on these.

Thoughts?

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

They look very retro I like them! I guess you'd have to check the width on the vehicle whether the offset will work without catching, some wider wheels tend to have more width added on the back rather than spread equally