Technical Newbie, selecta problem panda classic

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Technical Newbie, selecta problem panda classic

dennis14k

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Nov 12, 2008
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Location
Carmarthen
Morning everyone. Newbie here, although I have been visiting this forum for a while, I will explain. I have a very functional Doblo mpv for everyday use and was looking for a fun car for my wife (and if the truth be told me also). She kept cooing about the new 500 (wanted a bee coloured one!), when I came up with the idea of getting a classic.

Well, after much research on FF, I succumbed and bought a 1994 1200 selecta, with a really sweet engine, amazing bodywork and only 22,000 miles genuine. But you guessed it! it has a gearbox drive problem, but having seen all the threads with electrical issues I thought it was worth a punt, worse case I thought I would convert to a manual, but would prefer to keep as "natural".
So Haynes manual and FF to the ready have checked all fuses, fluids etc but the panda won't engage any drive, engine note doesn't change at all and absolutley no movement.
The guy I bought it off said, "it was in use, stopped on a hill at traffic lights and never moved under it's own steam again", " he discovered an oil leak and almost fixed it and refilled but still no movement so he sold it."

Questions:

1,there is a connector by the accelerator not connected to anything is that normal?
not the accelerator one, I can send/post pictures if anyone is interested.

2, Suspect clutch, but at only 22,000 miles is that likely? Any sure fire test?

3, Alternative is ECU, how much and how available are they? is it worth buying one? are there any other options? I guess I could take it to dealer, but it would mean trailering and some serious expense I guess.

Really looking forward to getting this beauty going and giving it to my wife for her birthday surprise, so that I can zip around in it.

In case it is of any significance, I am located in south wales on carmarthen/ceredigion border.

Thanks in advance.

Dennis
 
When you press the accelerator on the selecta is suplies an electrical signal to the gearbox (the gearbox works on an electro-mechanical system) on the gearbox itself there are brushes like you have on a washing machine/alternator etc these can often break down. However if there is an elecrical connector that is not connected by the accelerator pedal I would certainly investigate that first. Meantime also search the panda section as there are plenty of posts on the selecta gearbox.
 
:yeahthat:

Welcome (y)

Would your Panda be that Blue one on eBay that sold a little while ago, with Lowestoft/Gt Yarmouth connections according to the listing :p :) If So, glad you've made it on to here, and hopefully my Lowestoft connection might work it's magic on your Selecta :)

1) No that dosen't sound normal. Could you post a pic if possible to help. There should be two Micro switches and connectors on the accelerator, and one on the brake (for the brake lights).

2) Clutch or brushes are a possible problem. The Selecta's either gave up at this mileage, or ran forever (145000 miles is the most I've seen on one :eek:). We've two Selecta's. 1st I got with 15500 miles and no problems, and is running sweet as a nut, and the second we brought from a member who got it as a none runner. Clutch problems, and that only had 17000 miles on it!

3) ECU availability and cost are questionable, at the end of the day they're only worth what someone is willing to pay, but availability can also be a problem.

Best of luck. Jon. (y)
 
Thanks for your interest, yes it is the gt yarmouth car and I am amazed it is known to so many, probably bad news right!

I have checked the obvious things from the threads such as the two micro switches on the accelerator, fuses etc. Have removed starter motor and looked at brushes which are fine.

I will try and put up a picture of the connector, it sits to the right of the fuse box under the dash, looks like it might even connect to it! just have no idea what it is!

The car apparently expired whilst waiting at lights on a hill, I have no idea how it was recovered, towed for any distance etc.

It did apparently have an atf leak and is now refilled and only has a very slight leak which I will fix if and when the box starts to work, or I take it apart whichever comes first.

Any hidden fuses etc. I should be aware off?

Any easy way of checking if the clutch electrics are sending a charge, and therefore it is the clutch whcih has expired? without taking the engine/gearbox out?

The grarshift lights are working, and warning noises eminating.

Engine and body are really sweet, and no known history of crunching etc. so hopeful it will be fixable, without gearbox/clutch.

Can anyone explain why there are two wires to brushes? and should they both energise with 12Volts?

Thanks

Dennis
 

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Hi again Dennis.

You really have come to the right place (hopfully) and I hope I can work some of that east anglian magic on your Selecta!

That connector by the fuse box iirc is normal (from what I've seen in our two Selectas) but will check.

Also not sure about the two brushes both needing to be energised, but will also try and check for you as I have a Fiat Dealership Manual which includes a large bit on the Selecta's and their gearboxes.

As far as the transmittion fluid leak. Where is it leaking from, and what did you top it up with?

I assume the engine etc runs ok? When it runs (especially just after start-up) do you get any whineing, gushing noises from the gearbox area (asthough something it being pressurised / liquid flowing).

Jon.
 
Right. I've checked Dad's Selecta and can't find that connector, neither can I see it in a pic of the fuseboard in my Selecta;


attachment.php

Dad's Selecta's Fuse board

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My Selecta's Fuseboard.

EDIT; Just been out to my Selecta, and found it. It's slightly different though. How many wires go into yours? 3 or 4? and is it on it's own.

I've found the following;

I seem to have 2. One like yours, with 3 wires going into it, and another with 1.

22112008387.jpg22112008388.jpg

The only thing that sprung to mind at first was if the microswitches were suppost to be connected here? But I checked my spare pedal box and each switch has a different connector.

I'm not sure if its possibly something linked to Gearbox ECU diagnostics (Not Engine ECU), but again, thought I'd seen a seperate plug for this beneath the center console.

I'm going to be having a long hard think at work tonight when bored (working in a petrol station does have it's good points at times) and will get back with any thoughts.

I'm Also going to try and finally get the pages from the dealership manual on the Selecta bits in the My Gallery bit on here, so will post links when done (y)

Best of luck. Jon.
 
The Selecta I fixed up [ MEP's dad has it now ] had both clutch failure and ECU failure [ these might have been linked , or the garage that sold it could have shorted the ECU when trying to diagnose original prob. ]
I think the first step is to check you have 12V across the brushes when you try and drive . you can connect volt meter between the two wires that go to brush block , either on brushes if still removed, or more easily at the connector in the wiringloom if brushes fitted

If no voltage shown when you try and pull away then either bad connection at a microswitch , duff microswitch or worse case ECU kaput.

If 12V shown then your Clutch is most likely at fault .

The Haynes manual has quite a good section on Selecta and particularly how to check the clutch .

Refit the brushes , if not already done , disconnect their wires at connector going to loom , then check resistance across brushes [ should be 2 to 4 ohms at room temp

check insulation of windings with ohmmeter between clutch wires and engine block , should be infinity

if any of the above readings different, then clutch is FUBAR

Good luck !

Carl
 
Thanks for all your help and comments Looks like mystery plug is diagnostic connector and therefore red herring.
Still curious how the car is known to so many?

Will be a few days before I can do anymore and then plan is:

Replace brushes and starter motor.
Perform checks as suggested to rule in/out clutch itself.
If clutch, will probably covert to manual so feel another thread coming on in that case.
If not clutch, then will have to find elecrical fault and/or go down ecu route.

Is it worth draining and checking gearbox filter? On the assumption that clutch is good, and that the gearbox is pressurised (still minor leak) would it account for any of the symptoms.

Will post any progress and once agin thanks to all who have responded.

Dennis
 
Check out the for sale/eBay thread.. classic Pandas are thin on the ground nowadays, if there's one for sale somewhere in the country, chances are it'll be known about on here..

Cheers,

Plug

:yeahthat: and I made a big song and dance, because it's origionally from 10 miles away from me, and was located forsale down the road from where Carlt lives iirc, who we brought dad's Selecta from :p. And it seemed so tempting :p.

Jon.
 
OK, here is the update.
Finally stripped the panda down and am at a loss.
The Clutch is good, is free and when 12v is applied across the collars it goes rock solid and when removed free again.

Gearbox does what it (says on the tin), select drive and turn main shaft and half shafts turn, select reverse and they go other way.

So I have decided against putting it back together on the off chance and have a donor car to convert it to a manual. So I will be selling all the selecta bits Clutch/box/starter/fear selector/pedal box/flywheel etc. if anyone is interested.

Donor is 1988 1000 clx, so will have bits from that as well, want anything just ask.

Thanks to all that tried to help, I am sure it is/was something simple just couldn't find it.
 
I had the same problem with mine (well it sounds the same)and it was a simple problem to solve.All i did was remove the surround around the gear lever and clean all the electrical conections with electrical cleaner or wd40 Hope this helps and good luck
 
An update for evryone. PAnda is back on the road and booked for MOT this week. She is now a manual, and wife is over the moon with her new car.
Word of advice, this is not a job to be attempted lightly! Certainly one I would not do again.

Apologies to all who abswered my classifieds, I will now be able to get back to you all with availability of pieces, as I have all I want/need off of the selecta and donor clx.

Once the car is MOt'ed and finally cleaned up I will post picture.

Once again many thanks to all who helped.


Dennis
 
How is insuring it going? With it being modified etc.

Jon.

On that note: I have no idea of your situation or driving records, but you could consider ringing Footman James (brokers) for a classic car quote. As long as you qualify and the car is built in 1994 or earlier you will find it impossible to give them much over £100 fully comp with no mileage or commuting restrictions.
 
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