General Naughty Panda

[Nuova500]

It looks like the leads are the originals, all FIAT stamped, so will buy new leads and new plugs tommorow and go from there. Spoke to a mate today who said he had exactly the same symptoms on a different car and that was the problem.

 

[Nuova500]

was going out to get some leads and plugs today, but it just wont start at all. Its tried but failed, Im beggining to hate it now, especially as I just forked out for a new tax disc too

 

[allen fletcher]

Ok so it will not start it's not the end of the world Have you a spare plug? take any lead of existing spark plug and put spare into end of lead. Lay spark plug to any metal part on engine get a mate, wife, anybody to turn engine key to throw engine over, look and see if plug it sparking against engine block. One other thing I have thought of is your car fitted with the auto cut off switch that is mounted inside car nearside foot well. if it has one mounted press the button down if it has jumped up car will never start unless it has been pushed down to re set it. you can bell me on 01274 815033

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Ok so it will not start it's not the end of the world Have you a spare plug? take any lead of existing spark plug and put spare into end of lead. Lay spark plug to any metal part on engine get a mate, wife, anybody to turn engine key to throw engine over, look and see if plug it sparking against engine block. One other thing I have thought of is your car fitted with the auto cut off switch that is mounted inside car nearside foot well. if it has one mounted press the button down if it has jumped up car will never start unless it has been pushed down to re set it. you can bell me on 01274 815033

Are these auto fuel cut off switches, Is my Panda selecta likely to have one, just when I was looking at the ECU pin diagram to add my tacho it had a pin for fuel cut off and wondered it Panda's had them. Where abouts around the passenger footwell would it be?

 

[Nuova500]

OK, update... I started checking for a spark this morning, trying each plug as I went along. As I turned engine over when trying the 3rd plug it tried to start, so I put the plug back in and away she went... misfiring badly mind you.

So, got some new plugs and leads... found some burn marks on old leads where they enter dissy cap which suggests poor connections, and one wasnt very tight on number 4 plug.
Also, cleaned up all ignition connections and fitted another new set of points. Set them up using a dwell meter and then checked my timing... now considering I have set the timing up before I was amazed to find it reading -2 degrees, so thats 7 degrees retarded!!!!

The result is a very smooth drive now, just done 30 odd miles with no coughs, splutters etc... but only time will tell if she starts fine when cold and wet like today was.

Will see how it goes, but for the life of me I cant understand how my timing retarded itself 7 degrees?

 

[tashman]

Wahey
Problem solved with a bit of methodical fault finding.

 

[Nuova500]

and swearing I shant be convinced until she starts fine for a few days though.

 

[allen fletcher]

good news then Lindas limo is a M reg so no points. The switch is easy to find it is hidden behind a plastic cover the bit of trim that holds the carpet back in the passenger well near the bottom door hinge is you can not see it you aint got one. Sounds to me if the dizzy could be your problem has it don alot of miles is it original to this car did you nip it up enough when you set timing last time might be an :idea:to snow paint its current position mark for future ref. could it be a damaged wire inside the dizzy? your problem does appear to be arround this area. Make sure all spade connections are good and firm.
Good luck

 

[Chas Uno]

Will see how it goes, but for the life of me I cant understand how my timing retarded itself 7 degrees?

Adjusting the points always changed the timing on the cars I used to have with points fitted. The timing should be the last thing you check/ set after you've set the points.

 

[allen fletcher]

Agree with the last statement

 

[Littlerich]

To top it all, Ive just been out to have another go and the bonnet wont open, the cables not broken and I can hear it operating the catch but it just wont release it, any ideas please?

I have the same problem with my panda.
I solved it by tying a piece of string roung the bonnet release lever which is long enough to reach outside. When I need to open my bonnet (EVERY JOURNEY NOW...) I open my door, stand by my bonnet and pull the string with one hand, and lift the bonnet with the other. It sounds like a dosgy affair but it works!

Simple, cost me nothing and it works...

Try it, let me know how you get on...
[email protected]

 

[Nuova500]

if you read further on youll see I fixed it properly

 

[oldernowiser]

Will see how it goes, but for the life of me I cant understand how my timing retarded itself 7 degrees?

Are you certain the vacuum advance unit isn't popped, or the pipe which feeds it split/not connected?

 

[Nuova500]

positive, thanks its running brilliantly at the moment, no probs at all.