Finished all my repairs, Mot booked for Friday, put Panda on ramps to refit sump guard and engine cut out, just like a fuse blowing, instantaneous, kaput!

Checked fuel side and everything ok. But refuses to start.

Have been doing all work without a workshop manual so no wirirng diagram to access. Could there be a fuse or wire, something that might have broken? I know it is a Magnetti Marelli set up and everything appears fine, new leads, plugs, disi cap & rotor arm. It wasn't even warm when it cut out.

Any advice before I have to cancel Mot?

1986 4x4 (993 FIRE)

Cheers Guys

NottsCharger

The 4x4 has a breakerless distributor, which can be unreliable when hot - just cuts out, but generally restarts when cooled down.
As yours was cold at the time, it might not be that.

Here's a diagram to chew over:



and the colours:




If you look at the inset for the 4x4 it's quite simple -
power into the coil and distributor module, switched earth out to the coil.

Check for power on the light blue / black, it will unplug at the coil.
Also check then connector between the coil and distributor.

If there is no power there you may have ignition switch problems, assuming other things fed off that switch (lights for instance) are still working.

If there's power, and the wirings OK, either distributor, or coil.
You can disconnect the primary of the coil, and apply volts to see if you get a spark from the secondary to your primary voltage source.
Take care with that - it hurts if you form part of the secondary circuit, and there's 3 or 4 hundred back EMF on the primary too...

Let us know how you get on.



John H

Thanks for the info John H, has proved very useful, though alas I haven't fixed it yet.

There is power coming from ignition switch to coil and from coil to dsitributor module, but no primary (HT) power showing from coil or to plugs. Wiring seems fine, leads, cap, rotor arm, new.

Not sure if this condems coil or ignition module. I would expect coil to break down under load/heat, rather than running for just 2 minutes from cold?

Anyway ignition module is available seperatley for £20 and coil for £25 so will go for ignition module first and see what happens.

NottsCharger

NottsCharger said:

Anyway ignition module is available seperatley for £20 and coil for £25 so will go for ignition module first and see what happens.

NottsCharger

Click to expand...

That's interesting - some time ago I had a problem with the module on my CLX, and I couldn't get the module (although Enzo, in Italy, said it was available there).

I ended up with a secondhand distributor to cure the problems - which were cutting out when very hot, usually waiting in traffic, with a big queue behind :-(
It never failed while driving, only when stopped, and would restart after a minute or so.

Hi John

Thought I would let you know, its running again. Not 100% confident about success as have yet to take it for run, but have re-booked MoT for Monday, so we shall see.

It seems it was the ignition module which cost £18.24 incl. VAT from Sutton Auto Spares. Unfortunate thing was I broke vacumn advance dismantling distributor, only to discover ignition module just unscrewed off top! Have superglued vacumn advance back in place for now.

A question in advance of work this time, do you know how to seal the differential casing on the rear axle, is it possible to use instant gasket of some form?

Thanks again for the previous help.

John
NottsCharger

Good to know you can get that part in the UK - I'd previously thought my parts supplier was pretty good...

Regarding the rear axle - I've never done any work on a 4x4, and "Porter" doesn't seem to detail any specific work on the rear axle, as far as I can see at the moment.

If you P.M. me your V.I.N. I'll have a look see what detail there is in the parts CD when I get back from work, and see how its construction compares to rear axles I have worked on.


Regards


John H

Sorry didn't get back to you with VIN John, not sure relevant now!

Failed Mot and beginning to wain on enthusiasm. What was meant to be a quick fixer-up has turned into a nigh on full restoration. Thats cars for you, especially Italian ones!

Needs new n/s sill, and new front exhaust, not bad I suppose, replaced just about everything else!

Also a wierd drumming noise developed from front n/s I think, on way back from Mot centre?

NottsCharger

No worries about the P.M.

Shame about the sill though.

Regarding the noise - it may be a wheel bearing, especially if it gets worse when the car leans on that side while cornering.

Panda (2x4) wheel bearings are expensive - be sure before you replace one.

You'll have checked the obvious - like loose wheel nuts...

I've the same problem with the front left wheel...when cornering to the right I hear an intermittant noise from there, plus a vibration on the steering ...it's getting worse with the mileage and as far as I remember the front bearings are pressed inside the hub carrier, so unbolting the huge driveshaft nut is only the 1st step of a long job :bang: .Any ideas on how to replace the fron wheel bearings??

Hi, It's a fairly easy job despite apearances. However, the cost is often very off-putting. The bearings are strong and long-lasting: however, they do 'go' after a while and cost around £48 each. They are one of the most expensive 'PANDA' repairs.....and are the reason why I can pick up so many good cars for almost nothing !!!!!!!!!!
XXX

£48? That's not good news as I think one is going on my Panda!

Sorry Steve..............but if you want to sell for spares........................................just kidding !