Panda Our Panda 6 months on.

[koalar]

A Panda sandwich. Nearly the Italian job red, white, blue

 

[RalphM]

Dropped the keys, that didn't do the immobilizer chip any good so down to one
key, a txt to a local locksmith in Morecambe had it fixed, got a new transponder key
and a spare chip, stuck the chip in the damaged remote and now have 3 working
keys, took less than half a hour, job done.

 

[pataanaa2]

I am surprised we dont see more ign switch fails. The dealer at the garage said it was common and I have done two

 

[koalar]

I am surprised we dont see more ign switch fails. The dealer at the garage said it was common and I have done two

Me too

I have had two fail on a 05 and 06

Shed loads of replacements switches sold on eBay

Garage also told me it was common

I hate changing them.

 

[RalphM]

It would likely be essayer if you removed the complete lock and did
it on the bench but that means removing the non reversible screws
and I have not tried that, is there a way not requiring drilling them out.

 

[koalar]

I just unclipped the switch from the barrel. No need to remove the barrel

Used second hand parts so had to do it 4 times

There not designed to be unclipped and was quite stressful. Thinking about it afterwards it’s probably easier and less stressful to cut the old one out. (The first one I took out carefully to try and repair) and use a new switch

There are two versions of the switch. The contacts are different. You need to inspect before ordering. I took mine from Puntos at the breakers


Now here’s the problem. Under the switch the are two plastic discs which fall out. Make a note of which order they are in and which way up they are. There a lot of wrong combination and only one correct. They also have to be in the right orientation first one I did took ages to get wright second one only took a few attempts

 

[koalar]

Looking at some of the photos of third party ignition switches

Some would be much easier to fit as the discs are attached permanently unlike the OEM one

 

[koalar]

Third party switches looks like the way to go to me. It’s what I would do next time

Here the two types you need to find out which you have before ordering

 

[RalphM]

The Diesels or at least mine only has 5 contacts 4 small and one large.

 

[koalar]

It would likely be essayer if you removed the complete lock and did
it on the bench but that means removing the non reversible screws
and I have not tried that, is there a way not requiring drilling them out.

You don’t drill them out as there not that tight normally

Make a groove with a chisel on the outer edge of the head it’s soft.

Then angle a screwdriver and tap it round and loose

Far easier than drilling and a lot less mess

Some of the Puntos will come out just with mole grips if you are lucky. Not sure if there enough room on the panda

Not worth removing it for a ignition switch in my opinion now I have seen third party switches come with the discs. Permanently attached

 

[RalphM]

You can tell how impressed by the quality and reliability of the switch I am,
I fitted a new one and have 2 more on stock.
,

 

[RalphM]

Panda has been running well, just passed the MOT but needed 2 bottom ball joints,
now just over 31000 miles and averaging just over 70 mpg, ok for the next 12 months.

 

[DaveMcT]

Just to add the MJ engine uses twin cams as that’s the easiest way to do the job. Inlet valve ports curve so they generate a swirl of incoming air. Exhaust ports are in tandem. The EGR valve gets a more direct exhaust flow than the turbo so you can appreciate how easily it clogs the inlet manifold with soot.
If it wasn’t such a struggle to access I would suggest removing the inlet pipe. But it’s so hidden, no normal person would want to touch it.