Panda (Classic) Godiva -- the blue 750L (L is for "Low mileage")

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Shall we check that the breakdown wasn't caused by something I did before I buy a cape?

well worth swapping another battery too if possible..just to rule it out simply..

Remembered this previous post about the battery. In the end it still wasn't any good so I fitted a spare I had. I'm sure it's a good one now but may be worth double checking it if you don't find anything else wrong.

I broke out my trusty multimeter -- and got the following results:
• before I did anything else (and this is after testing the new lights, the other night, without the car running...) -- 12.62v;
• with the engine running (and no drain) -- 14.52v; and
• then with all lights on, and the fan -- 14.16v...

...so I don't think it's the battery or alternator -- especially as I then drove Pippin until I needed no choke; and back to the house (which I think was very brave...); and checked again (and got very similar results)...

on the horn front, I had a Tipo issue where by it was a tempramental bugger,
eventually discovered the steering wheels " slip ring" had a dead-spot
at 12 o 'clock position,
turning the wheel upside down sorted it..!!

You will find it will work perfectly until it is all back together again Always the case with this sort of thing...

Okay. VmanC -- you may come to regret your words, above; but so may I, saying that the battery was okay.

I put everything back together -- gingerly; and testing things along the way -- and all worked fine. Car even started straightaway. However, having remembered to reconnect the choke cable, I then pushed it in too far, and the car stalled.

I then tried to start the car up; the starter clicked; and all the dash lights went off. Several turns of the key later, the dash lights came back, and I managed to start the car up fine (again); and he idled beautifully -- although with a very slight hint of battery (alternator?) light on the dash. I then tried the LH indicator, and the car died instantly....

I didn't think to try and start the car without the steering wheel on -- and am still wondering, therefore, if it's a horn problem (how does the power get to the horn switch... -- I know it's earth activated: isn't it...?). :chin:

Anyhoo: the battery is now on charge; and will -- once the upcoming deluge has passed -- be tried back on the car. I also have my emergency starter pack charging, just in case.

Just in case it's not the battery: could a duff starter/solenoid (it really struggled to catch, one of the times...) cause everything (meaning the dash lights, etc.) to die -- or could I be missing something obvious with the horn circuit...? (Or could it be the alternator?) :doh:

My brain has gone to sleep, I'm afraid. I was so proud of myself dismantling and testing all the steering wheel stuff; and now I feel like a complete dunce. Would a dead battery, or a frelled starter, really stop the dash lights coming on completely...? (And how easy are the starter connections to get to...?)

Thanks to varesecrazy and panda1408 for keeping me company during the day. Utter stars, both of you...! :worship:

I shall report back, when the battery is reconnected; and may try with the steering wheel removed, as well (it's not as if I need it...).

 

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...how does the power get to the horn switch...? :chin:

Answered my own question in a picture, above -- it's the little prongs... :doh:

...and I'd checked their wiring, earlier....

 

[Palio]

Okay. VmanC -- you may come to regret your words, above; but so may I, saying that the battery was okay.

I put everything back together -- gingerly; and testing things along the way -- and all worked fine. Car even started straightaway. However, having remembered to reconnect the choke cable, I then pushed it in too far, and the car stalled.

I then tried to start the car up; the starter clicked; and all the dash lights went off. Several turns of the key later, the dash lights came back, and I managed to start the car up fine (again); and he idled beautifully -- although with a very slight hint of battery (alternator?) light on the dash. I then tried the LH indicator, and the car died instantly....

I didn't think to try and start the car without the steering wheel on -- and am still wondering, therefore, if it's a horn problem (how does the power get to the horn switch... -- I know it's earth activated: isn't it...?). :chin:

Anyhoo: the battery is now on charge; and will -- once the upcoming deluge has passed -- be tried back on the car. I also have my emergency starter pack charging, just in case.

Just in case it's not the battery: could a duff starter/solenoid (it really struggled to catch, one of the times...) cause everything (meaning the dash lights, etc.) to die -- or could I be missing something obvious with the horn circuit...? (Or could it be the alternator?) :doh:

My brain has gone to sleep, I'm afraid. I was so proud of myself dismantling and testing all the steering wheel stuff; and now I feel like a complete dunce. Would a dead battery, or a frelled starter, really stop the dash lights coming on completely...? (And how easy are the starter connections to get to...?)

Thanks to varesecrazy and panda1408 for keeping me company during the day. Utter stars, both of you...! :worship:

I shall report back, when the battery is reconnected; and may try with the steering wheel removed, as well (it's not as if I need it...).

Hope you get it sorted - as I mentioned in post 294, Jasper did exactly the same thing and has never done it since replacing the battery - not even had to feed any hedgehogs. It's probably something else, but I'd seriously consider putting a different battery on (mine allegedly held a full charge but must have had something weird going on inside as it eventually wouldn't start anything - I tried it on a different Panda & got the same nothing when turning the key).

 

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Hope you get it sorted - as I mentioned in post 294, Jasper did exactly the same thing and has never done it since replacing the battery - not even had to feed any hedgehogs. It's probably something else, but I'd seriously consider putting a different battery on (mine allegedly held a full charge but must have had something weird going on inside as it eventually wouldn't start anything - I tried it on a different Panda & got the same nothing when turning the key).

It's got a GM logo on it, as well.

Might just order a nice Bosch; and take it from there. At least my Panda knowledge has been expanded....

 

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When I took the battery off the car, it was showing 12.26 volts (admittedly, Pippin's been stood for a couple of weeks...) -- which is never a good sign. It's been on a trickle charge, all night, though.... However, when I took the charger off, it showed 13.65, then 13.64, 13.63... -- and just kept losing charge: which is an even worse sign, I think.

May just wait for the Bosch (S4) to arrive.... :chin:

 

[varesecrazy]

When I took the battery off the car, it was showing 12.26 volts (admittedly, Pippin's been stood for a couple of weeks...) -- which is never a good sign. It's been on a trickle charge, all night, though.... However, when I took the charger off, it showed 13.65, then 13.64, 13.63... -- and just kept losing charge: which is an even worse sign, I think.

May just wait for the Bosch (S4) to arrive.... :chin:

Batteries..:bang:

you can have internal breakdowns of the battery internals,
where by it HAS the voltage there.. but cannot reliably supply AMPS ( current) to crank the engine,
"hardened negatives" as my Dad always called them
you could get "desulphating" tablets for that ( don't think "rennies" would do the trick )

those batteries were always transferred to caravan lighting duties,
would run lights for DAYS

hence my initial suggestion of a battery swap with another FIAT..,

keep us updated,
charlie

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Don't forget to weigh your old battery in at scrap metal merchants, will get a few quid for it

 

[homeward]

Don't forget to weigh your old battery in at scrap metal merchants, will get a few quid for it

I'll be giving it back to Vernon: hoping that he can get a refund for it... -- if it is the battery. There's a Bosch S4 due here, this afternoon. Fingers crossed....

 

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...if it is the battery.

It's not.

I am now at the limit of both my mental and physical capabilities for fixing this. If anyone -- including VmanC -- has any sensible suggestions; or is willing to travel to South Warwickshire to help out; I will, of course, be immensely grateful. :worship:

The AA won't tow me to my nearest garage, of course: as it's the same fault they towed me home for -- so I'm a bit stuck.... :bang:

Palio -- if you know of anyone who needs a ticket and pass for Sunday, please let me know ASAP; and I shall send them out, first class, tomorrow: as I'm off to the hospital, soon, for a follow-up. (How's that for playing the sympathy card...?)

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

PS: Vernon, you're going to hate me for this, but the car went dead not when I turned the key, but when I tried to start it: which makes me think it it something to do with the new starter motor....

 

[Palio]

It's not.

I am now at the limit of both my mental and physical capabilities for fixing this. If anyone -- including VmanC -- has any sensible suggestions; or is willing to travel to South Warwickshire to help out; I will, of course, be immensely grateful. :worship:

The AA won't tow me to my nearest garage, of course: as it's the same fault they towed me home for -- so I'm a bit stuck.... :bang:

Palio -- if you know of anyone who needs a ticket and pass for Sunday, please let me know ASAP; and I shall send them out, first class, tomorrow: as I'm off to the hospital, soon, for a follow-up. (How's that for playing the sympathy card...?)

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr....

PS: Vernon, you're going to hate me for this, but the car went dead not when I turned the key, but when I tried to start it: which makes me think it it something to do with the new starter motor....

Does it start at all?

Have you tried jump leads connected (and donor car running), while trying?

Where do you need it taking to - somewhere local? Could probably get to you at some point and either tow (with Howie) you if it's really local, or more likely use my RAC card to get it recovered to a local garage of your choosing - I believe I am covered as a driver or passenger in any car so I guess it would be covered (ish) if I were "borrowing" Pippin at that moment. :idea:

 

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Does it start at all?

Nope... -- well, maybe one time in fifty. Most of the time, I can't even get any warning lights on the dash to show, when I turn the key. When I do, most of the time, they will vanish again when I try to start the car. If the car runs, any extra load seems to cause it to cut out again. :bang:

There's either a short, somewhere, or a dodgy earth -- but I'm having problems getting any perspective on it.

Will wait for VmanC to get back to me, before deciding what to do. Thank you for your extremely kind offer, though...!

 

[Palio]

Nope... -- well, maybe one time in fifty. Most of the time, I can't even get any warning lights on the dash to show, when I turn the key. When I do, most of the time, they will vanish again when I try to start the car. If the car runs, any extra load seems to cause it to cut out again. :bang:

There's either a short, somewhere, or a dodgy earth -- but I'm having problems getting any perspective on it.

Will wait for VmanC to get back to me, before deciding what to do. Thank you for your extremely kind offer, though...!

No problem.

Sorry to hear it's so bad - maybe a mobile auto electrician if it's pretty definitely electrical? :idea:

 

[panda1408]

Would a local garage not come and pick it up? Or maybe try a mobile mechanic/auto electrician? Wish I could offer some more help, but without having the car in front of me I am not sure what to suggest really

 

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Sorry to hear it's so bad - maybe a mobile auto electrician if it's pretty definitely electrical? :idea:

My thoughts, too.

Can wait until next week, though, now that Priscilla has been deemed 'retro'... -- some time and space might make me feel a little more relaxed about it all....

 

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Just tried a little experiment (known as 'fishing in the dark'...). I connected my faithful multimeter to the new battery; turned the key in the ignition; and... nothing -- not even a flicker on the display.

This now makes me think that it is more likely(?!) to be the ignition switch -- as I would expect a short/earth problem further down the line (e.g. the starter) would at least draw some current (like when I put the hazards on...). :idea:

Can ignition switches wear out (sometimes working; sometimes not; before dying completely...)? And how difficult is it to drill the shear-headed bolts out to find out...?

Thinking aloud -- apart from the cost, is it worth just connecting everything to a replacement (working) ignition switch, without fitting it, to see...? Has anyone got one I can borrow, please...? :worship:

 

[panda1408]

Trying a replacement switch sounds like a good idea to me, does sound like the problem to me, although I would suggest checking the connections on the alternator and starter just in case, as these have recently been touched. I don't think a faulty alt or starter would cause the issues though, but iffy connections could possibly.

The shear bolts should not be too difficult to remove, it may be possible to loosen them with a punch and hammer, or if not drilling them out should not be that hard with a sharp drill bit. Ignition switches can wear out, although not heard of it on a Panda before, especially a low mileage one.

Just another thought, if you can work out which wire coming from the switch does what you should be able to minmick a working igntion switch with a few pieces of wire across the terminals on the plug.

 

[homeward]

Just another thought, if you can work out which wire coming from the switch does what you should be able to minmick a working igntion switch with a few pieces of wire across the terminals on the plug.

Thank you! :worship:

I had wondered about this, too -- could be fun trying to work out which one is which, though: apart from the obvious big red wires...!

 

[panda1408]

Yes, thats the tricky bit, can't really go wrong though, the worst you could do is blow a fuse really

 

[Palio]

Don't forget to weigh your old battery in at scrap metal merchants, will get a few quid for it

Do they pay for them? That explains why 2 of mine (which were doing a fantastic job of weighing down a cover) were nicked from the bottom of my drive!! b****y p****s (not "broody pixies", if we're playing along at home)!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Do they pay for them? That explains why 2 of mine (which were doing a fantastic job of weighing down a cover) were nicked from the bottom of my drive!! b****y p****s (not "broody pixies", if we're playing along at home)!

Yep, its around £400 a tonne, so a single Panda battery is worth about £3-£4. a small collection…..well you get the idea