General Panda 2012 headlights staying on all the time

[Allyn78]

I have a panda 2012 and as soon as you turn the ignition on the headlights come on whether the switch on the stalk is on or off. Thought it might be the stalk so I changed that for a second hand one but the problem is still there
Can any body help?

 

[TTR]

Eh up

I’m sure there’s a relay in the fuse box on a 2012

Might be worth checking if I’m right and test or replace it

Cheers

 

[vexorg]

Are they headlights or DRLs

 

[Allyn78]

Are they headlights or DRLs

They are the headlights that are staying on

 

[A3jeroen]

Might be a setting for a country in which headlights always on is mandatory?

gr J

 

[g4jvf]

The headlights on my 2012 Panda are stuck on. Happened a few days after a software update at a Fiat dealer some years back.
Tried to get them to sort it but they weren't having any.....the update came up because the headlights on some Pandas just switched off randomly...

 

[varesecrazy]

Might be a setting for a country in which headlights always on is mandatory?

gr J

This is a known fault..

There Is probably a suggested thread below this

@puntodeltathema had this IIRC

 

[puntodeltathema]

Yes I has to tackle this a few years back. By all accounts it seems to have been a botched software upgrade with a bug, not that anyone will officially admit it.

But the more helpful main dealers (I know, a select group*) may sort it - you may need to pay for a service or a "health check" but they have the wherewithal to sort, in theory. And I am sure it is known.

I don't think there is another solution apart from using the official dealer network.

*We had success with Lipscomb in Aylesford, near Maidstone.

Nick

 

[varesecrazy]

Thanks,
I couldn't recall the details of "the fix"

At least it's not deeply invasive surgery..
Like dash removal and months of resultant rattles

 

[puntodeltathema]

No just a Fiat tech plugging in and doing another software update...

 

[Vic20]

Yes! we had this problem with our 2012 model after is was around three years old...

Driving at night. on turning left ( indicating of course) as the stalk re-centred, the headlights would go off! This would only happen on left turns! Something of a safety issue you'd agree?

Soon after, I saw a recall was raised to fix this, it involved a software update at the main dealer.

The software update was carried out, but on driving home, the headlights suddenly came on and stayed on until the ignition was switched off.

Contacted the main dealer who said they would look into it. They called back and said that a new indicator stalk was now required and they had ordered the part. On replacement of the stalk, no issues ever reappeared.

 

[varesecrazy]

Thanks for that

I seem to recall one of the previous thread starters HAD changed the Stalk, etc. And needed more work..

 

[The Panda Nut]

The headlights on my 2012 Panda are stuck on. Happened a few days after a software update at a Fiat dealer some years back.
Tried to get them to sort it but they weren't having any.....the update came up because the headlights on some Pandas just switched off randomly...

Please name the incomptant garage so I never go near them.

 

[g4jvf]

Please name the incomptant garage so I never go near them.

It was the Fiat section of Autoworld just outside Chesterfield....it's now Stoneacre I believe.

 

[The Panda Nut]

It was the Fiat section of Autoworld just outside Chesterfield....it's now Stoneacre I believe.

Stoneacre, the ones who jibbed at repairing a brand new car sold to a lady member on here (bodywork damage) that very branch I believe, and who advertise cars they dont have (100 mile wasted trip by me - no apology) and who refused to assist me with a simple warranty claim (bulb) on a 25 mile old car on my way home a few years back. Say no more they appear 100% useless. I would personally NEVER use them any more than I would pee on them if they were on fire. Please please find an alternative. Also tell trading standards, Im sure they already have a file on the substandard goings on. There is a Panda specialist on the outskirts of Chesterfield, name escapes me atm im afraid.

 

[puntodeltathema]

Thanks for that

I seem to recall one of the previous thread starters HAD changed the Stalk, etc. And needed more work..

Not too sure about the stalk assembly. In my case replacing it didn't solve the "headlights always on" issue, it was the second dealer software/firmware update that sorted it. I wonder if the stalk replacement became a bit of a smokescreen to cover up the dodgy initial update of what was ultimately a body computer firmware error on the earliest 2012 on Pandas....