Hi

I'm new to the forum, and am hoping for some advice. I recently bought a 2004 1.2 Panda Eleganza from a small independant second hand car dealership. Up until last night, everything had been ok. We had noticed that occasionally the engine temperature dial on the dashboard seemed to move slowly, and would occasionally drop to cold and then slowly climb back up, whilst the car was running (and had been for a while). Last night, whilst driving home the car beeped and the message "Engine Failure" appeared on the display along with the orange engine symbol. The temperature gauge ran cold again, but seemed to improve when we pulled up and turned the climate control off. The car restarted, idled as normal and drove the rest of the way home fine, reaching 45 mph so is not in limp home mode, but the light will not go off. We think it could be a temperature sensor or a thermostat. All fluid levels are fine, and the car hasn't lost any coolant. It doesn't misfire. Has anyone had a similar experience?

normal running temp for these engines is half way on gauge if its lower it normally mean thermostat is stuck, but this dont normally put engine light on so there may be 2 problems or light could just have come on because lambda wasnt getting hot enough.
if you have a laptop or posh phone you can use this http://www.fiatecuscan.net/Default.aspx to read engine codes to find out why the light is on

As Dave has said sounds like thermostat is jammed open and you might have another issue causing the MIL which could be anything so you need to get it read ideally.

Thanks for the replies.

We went out to have another look at it this morning. Partner had a look around all the engine, checked the coolant and associated pipes etc. Started the car, again, light and message bearing "Engine Failure" came on same as last night. Took forever to reach temperature, and the minute we turned on the heater the temperature gauge dropped again. However, at this point, we turned the engine off, and then back on again. Engine light and Engine Failure message have now disappeared.

We're fortunate to have two cars, and the panda is going for a service next week, so it can sit in the car park until it goes for its service and I'll ask them to plug it in to check if there's still a problem and change the thermostat while its there.

Fault that caused the light has resolved it's issue if the light had gone then. I'd start with changing the thermostat. £25< new from Fiat for one.

As other's have said, thermostat. A simple thing to fix really.

I am having this exact problem, engine light normally comes on about 1hr 1/2 into a journey, if i have the heater on and everything else it seems to come on much faster.

Originally we got the codes from the RAC man and it was due to the temperature regulator....at the time we had the steering failure problem an was getting that sorted so thought it was something to do with that.....the steering unit got replaced but i still get engine failure after long journeys, this can sometimes stay on for 2 days but sometimes itll disappear over night or the other day it disappeared when i put petrol in it!

I took it back to the guy i brought it from and he fitted a new temperature regulator (i still have the box in my car with the old one inside....i think) but it still comes on, i just ignore the light now but thats not really ideal.....funilly enough today i got a side light failure sign (all lights are fine) crazy ay

jennybean said:

I am having this exact problem, engine light normally comes on about 1hr 1/2 into a journey, if i have the heater on and everything else it seems to come on much faster.

Originally we got the codes from the RAC man and it was due to the temperature regulator....at the time we had the steering failure problem an was getting that sorted so thought it was something to do with that.....the steering unit got replaced but i still get engine failure after long journeys, this can sometimes stay on for 2 days but sometimes itll disappear over night or the other day it disappeared when i put petrol in it!

I took it back to the guy i brought it from and he fitted a new temperature regulator (i still have the box in my car with the old one inside....i think) but it still comes on, i just ignore the light now but thats not really ideal.....funilly enough today i got a side light failure sign (all lights are fine) crazy ay

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So ive check what was changed and it was the thermo switch....i still get engine faolure on most drives, asoon as heater goes on temp drops rock bottom...do i just need to changr thermostat?

jennybean said:

So ive check what was changed and it was the thermo switch....i still get engine faolure on most drives, asoon as heater goes on temp drops rock bottom...do i just need to changr thermostat?

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I'm almost sure this is a thermostat. Its an easy change I just did it on mine with exactly the same symptomns . £15-25 part and 1/2 hour garage labour.

daveofkent said:

I'm almost sure this is a thermostat. Its an easy change I just did it on mine with exactly the same symptomns . £15-25 part and 1/2 hour garage labour.

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Thank you for your response! Really appreciate it!! Do you think my heater will work better on Auto...it sometimes works sometimes doesnt come on at all...would the thermostat have an impact on its competence?

jennybean said:

Thank you for your response! Really appreciate it!! Do you think my heater will work better on Auto...it sometimes works sometimes doesnt come on at all...would the thermostat have an impact on its competence?

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Your heater is just part of the cooling system, if your engines not getting hot then the heater matrix behind your dash which is just like a mini version of the radiator at the front of your car has luke warm water running through it rather than 87 degrees or so.

If you dont feel confident with this sort of stuff then get a mechanic you trust in, at least this forum gives you an idea of what to expect.

It could be other stuff but it seems your thermostat needs to be replaced

Thanks so much! Yes, im very out my depth, learning slowly!

Ive just brought a thermostat and some side lights.....it told me i needed some for a few days but has now stopped....might be the electrics playing up again....ive had so many icons appear!

jennybean said:

Thanks so much! Yes, im very out my depth, learning slowly!

Ive just brought a thermostat and some side lights.....it told me i needed some for a few days but has now stopped....might be the electrics playing up again....ive had so many icons appear!

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Oh good, it wont hurt to change anyway. Are you going to have a crack yourself or taking it to have fitted? hope it fixes your problems.