Hi
I came across this forum when trying to discover a few things about my new Panda.
I bought the above car about 3 weeks ago, for the first week all was fine, then sudenly it refused to start. I contacted the dealer who begrudginly took the car back to check it. In the end it had to go to a main dealer for a diagnostic test and repair.
I picked up the car yesterday and found that every time I start the engine the digital clock resets to Zero?? Would this indicate there is an electrical fault?
Whilst I was driving the warning light relating to the imobilisor came on and stayed on till the car was restarted.
Other niggles include - when front windscreen wipers turned on, the back one also come on (for a short time)-is this normal??
I was informed there was an alarm fitted as standard. Is this the case? As it not working or not present
Finally after looking at your forum I found the information about the recall due to possible Engine power loss - Mine is one of the vehicles!
The dealer is refusing to give me a refund, but I have lost all confidednce in the car. Any ideas where I stand?
Sorry for the long post, all help greatly appreciated.

Hi Linzi,
Sorry to hear you're having so many problems with your Panda - did you buy it new or secondhand? (I'm guessing the latter). How old is the car and how many miles has it done? Do you have full Fiat service history and all documentation?
Do you know which main dealer it was taken to? If yes, you can speak to them and ask them what the diagnostics showed when the car was hooked up to the computer - it should highlight all faults. Often, tin-pot dealers will only do the minimum of repair work to get them out of trouble!
Your wipers work fine - that's the way it was designed!
AFAIK there is no vehicle alarm fitted as standard from the factory - it may have an aftermarket unit but it would be fairly obvious (window sticker, different keys etc).
WRT the dealer not playing ball, ALL motor traders (and retailers) can only sell goods that are fit for purpose. In addition, statutory law ensures you have a 3 months parts and labour warranty.
Write back with some further info about the car and dealer etc and I'm sure The Forum will ve able to help you.

Hi Again
More details - the car is an 06 (on a 55 plate), and has done just over 24'000 miles.
Thanks for letting me know about the windscreen wipers I feel a bit silly now, but had no idea!!
Have spoken with the fiat dealer and they are not sure what is causing the problem with the clock- said it could be the battery? (Do all fiats come with a fiat battery?) Mine has a unipart one...
I asked about the recall and they told me it will not affect me - I am now really confused as my VIN number was definately included in the range on the VOSA page, I was under the impression that these were unique and only issued to one car. - Any thoughts????
I guess I may be worrying un necessarily but the dealer has been so horrid and unhelpful I now don't trust a word he says! Funny how they are always nice till they get your money!!!

Is your car still covered by the original FIAT 3 year warranty?
Check the date of registration - if it is then you can take it to ANY Fiat main dealer for all these things to be sorted out (although I think the 3rd year warranty has to be referred back to the original supplying dealer - apologies, I haven't yet taken delivery of my new Panda so am not 100% sure on this one). They will tell you what is and isn't covered under the warranty. Do check all the documentation that came with the car though. Also worth having a chat with the previous keeper if you can track them down...
I think you should call FIAT UK regarding the recall, just to be sure. They have a new sinlge point number: Fiat Customer Care 00800 3428 0000 and select option 3 or e-mail [email protected]
The dealer you purchased the car from sounds like a typical wideboy - for the benefit of everyone it would be good if you named and shamed!
wrt the battery, I think the Unipart one you have is a replacement. I personally wouldn't read too much into this as their useful life does vary dependant on use etc.
Bets of luck and let us know how you get on - nothing worse than getting a new car and having sleepless nights....shouldn't be the case!

I agree this dealer doesn't sound very helpful. Ring Fiat helpline up they are fantastic having used them from personal experience and see what they say.

Also try to get your car into another fiat garage and explain your circumstances or you can do what I do and walk into a fiat garage stand there and cry saying "my car is falling apart and no-one wants to help me" it works trust me

Linzi said:

Hi
I came across this forum when trying to discover a few things about my new Panda.
I bought the above car about 3 weeks ago, for the first week all was fine, then sudenly it refused to start. I contacted the dealer who begrudginly took the car back to check it. In the end it had to go to a main dealer for a diagnostic test and repair.
I picked up the car yesterday and found that every time I start the engine the digital clock resets to Zero?? Would this indicate there is an electrical fault?
Whilst I was driving the warning light relating to the imobilisor came on and stayed on till the car was restarted.
Other niggles include - when front windscreen wipers turned on, the back one also come on (for a short time)-is this normal??
I was informed there was an alarm fitted as standard. Is this the case? As it not working or not present
Finally after looking at your forum I found the information about the recall due to possible Engine power loss - Mine is one of the vehicles!
The dealer is refusing to give me a refund, but I have lost all confidednce in the car. Any ideas where I stand?
Sorry for the long post, all help greatly appreciated.

Click to expand...

You cant just get a refund just like that,its not that easy.

Car needs (if still under warranty) correct battery make/type/rating to be fitted, if not why?

Clock resetting can be one of 3 things, battery (this needs sorting first!), software update or one further thing which we can discuss if the first 2 dont work.

Phone customer services (as mentioned) and ask to open up a case (you will be given a case number) fully explain the circumstances of your complaint listing all faults. Concentrate more on the cars faults than telling them how bad the garage is, they are more interested in getting your car sorted to your satisfaction than the garage...who will be dealt with at a later date.

How old is the car?

Good luck & keep us posted.

(PM me your chassis number)

btw the rear wiper turns on with the front wipers in reverse only