Hi, pretty please can somebody help!

My Fiat Panda 1.2 Dynamic (2007) Broke down earlier this week on the way to work.

Please excuse my 'non technical' explanation...


The car started making a ticking noise as I was driving, whenever I pressed the accelerator. The faster I went the louder the noise.

After about 3 miles it cut out completely and now will not start. It has been towed home for me.

The oil light had just come on, but I've checked and there is oil in the car (Ive since topped up).

My hubby has taken a look and cant see anything obvious.

When I try and star it makes a kind of wheezing squeal, but the engine does not start. The internal car electrics work though, radio, lights, dash lights etc.

There are no warning lights on the dash - petrol light is on, but it does need petrol!!!

Hubby tried an engine diagnostics checker and its reading no faults.

Has anyone experienced similar? What was the problem?
Thanks ever so much...

do the normal ignition lights come on when you turn the key ? have a look with the bonnet open at the alternator belt (drivers side of engine) turn key to start is the belt moving ? if yes could be your timing belt that has broken ( makes that sound of fast squel when its gone )
if its not moving the alternator belt then could be a broken engine earth or stuffed starter, if you have some jump leads then connect the black lead to the battery negative and the other end of the black lead onto the metal of the engine and try again. if that works look for a bad or broken earth from the battery to the engine
hope this helps

viks2911 said:

Hi, pretty please can somebody help!

My Fiat Panda 1.2 Dynamic (2007) Broke down earlier this week on the way to work.
The oil light had just come on, but I've checked and there is oil in the car (Ive since topped up).


Thanks ever so much...

Click to expand...

how low was the oil by the way ?

Did the oil light come on as the car was making the noise?

If so, then sounds like you've had low oil pressure and potentially seized the engine. What diagnosis did the recovery agent give

thank you ever so much for your replies.

Belts both working. Ignition lights come on when I turn the key.

Oil was rather low - lower than I dare to admit. But there was a little left in!

Diagnostics tester reads 'no faults'???

viks2911 said:

thank you ever so much for your replies.

Belts both working. Ignition lights come on when I turn the key.

Oil was rather low - lower than I dare to admit. But there was a little left in!

Diagnostics tester reads 'no faults'???

Click to expand...

so its turning over ok ? or still has funny noise ?
you could disconnect battery overnight and try again in the morning, they can be a bit tempremental ref battery voltage etc

Sorry Im not explaining myself very well. No the car wont turn over, it makes a squeal type noise when I try, can turn key so that electrics come on but when I turn further for engine power - squeels and dies.

Have you tried a jump lead from negative battery to engine body ? See above post

jon1612 said:

so its turning over ok ? or still has funny noise ?
you could disconnect battery overnight and try again in the morning, they can be a bit tempremental ref battery voltage etc

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so engine is not turning over ?. do all the lights die when you try it ? have you checked all battery connection ok ? if all thats done and you still not getting anywhere then it could be fatal (ciezed engine) you neet to try turn the crank either with a spanner or by trying to bump car or rock it forward & back in first gear (ign off) and see if engine / crank is moving.

I'd try rolling the car an bump starting it, will soon tell if its seized when you lift the clutch, be gentle though so you don't damage the gearbox if the engine is seized.

Oh dear. This sounds bad.

If you have access to some decent tools I'd recommend removing all 4 spark plugs (taking care not to strain and damage the high tension leads when you pull them off), then put the car in neutral and see if you can turn the crankshaft pulley with a socket or spanner. If it won't turn, chances are the engine is seized and you will need a major rebuild or a new engine. Hopefully something less serious. Time to get a mechanic to look at it I think.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

I'd try rolling the car an bump starting it, will soon tell if its seized when you lift the clutch, be gentle though so you don't damage the gearbox if the engine is seized.

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if you've run it "dry" then yes - that is the easiest test,

if it doesn't turn over at all then assume it's locked-up due to lack of lubrication..it will require a new engine ( budget £200 to £600 + fitting),

repairs to an engine that has run dry will be vast = so a used engine is the cheaper option


where are you based ?,
any FF member would know straight away how severe it is..!!,
Charlie -Oxford

lamlash said:

Oh dear. This sounds bad.

If you have access to some decent tools I'd recommend removing all 4 spark plugs (taking care not to strain and damage the high tension leads when you pull them off), then put the car in neutral and see if you can turn the crankshaft pulley with a socket or spanner. If it won't turn, chances are the engine is seized and you will need a major rebuild or a new engine. Hopefully something less serious. Time to get a mechanic to look at it I think.

Click to expand...

eaiser than that is remove air flter box = 2 x 10mm HEX headed screws

then cam-cover ( metal box) 4 x 10mm HEX headed screws,
in there is the camshaft,
this SHOULD be oily + shiny ( polished looking) metal.. if its DRY and things are rusty/scratched = then it's TOAST..,

wish I could post pics easily to help you out there, :bang: my Panda's apart today ( pics are of the camshaft.etc)
Charlie - Oxford

varesecrazy said:

eaiser than that is remove air flter box = 2 x 10mm HEX headed screws

then cam-cover ( metal box) 4 x 10mm HEX headed screws,
in there is the camshaft,
this SHOULD be oily + shiny ( polished looking) metal.. if its DRY and things are rusty/scratched = then it's TOAST..,

wish I could post pics easily to help you out there, :bang: my Panda's apart today ( pics are of the camshaft.etc)
Charlie - Oxford

Click to expand...

had a knocking noise before it stopped could be bottom end problem like big end ceized, might not show signs of this on the cam

jon1612 said:

had a knocking noise before it stopped could be bottom end problem like big end ceized, might not show signs of this on the cam

Click to expand...

oil starvation will show on cam's pretty quickly,
also bake dry too

trying to PUSH it would be my 1st choice.. then have peek under cam-cover

(5 minute job.!) wish it wasn't so awkward to post pics on here.:bang:

Wow - thanks all for taking the time to reply. We are in Cheshire, CW10.

Husband going to try out some of your ideas tomorrow, but I fear it may be time to tow to a garage and get a mechanic to take a look.

Noise before it cut out was like a ticking noise, sounded as though there was something caught in the mud flap at first, then it got louder but still a definite tick - and sounded like it was coming from engine.

Looks like we will be cancelling Christmas this year .

viks2911 said:

Wow - thanks all for taking the time to reply. We are in Cheshire, CW10.

Husband going to try out some of your ideas tomorrow, but I fear it may be time to tow to a garage and get a mechanic to take a look.

Noise before it cut out was like a ticking noise, sounded as though there was something caught in the mud flap at first, then it got louder but still a definite tick - and sounded like it was coming from engine.

Looks like we will be cancelling Christmas this year .

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Really bad timing I know - mine was towed home on Tuesday..

HERE is a link to the top end parts of the "rubber-bung" engine type,
showing camshaft's SHINY lobes, etc
https://www.fiatforum.com/cinquecento-seicento-guides/136702-cylinder-head-gasket-remove-refit.html

I'm afraid the ticking sound would be something beginning to seize-up ,
then got louder until something seized properly,

any idea where all the oil went ? how long since it was changed??

how many miles on the panda?,
if it's high miles then you'll have to see if it's financially viable,

does the engine have a "rubber-bung" as an oil cap / or a proper screw-on one?,
the rubber bung type is the older type engine - found in a million or so Punto's ,
you can get sound engines for @£100 and around £200 to fit.

the newer ones are more pricey due to less of them around,

good luck , and do let us know how it goes in the next days,
Charlie

varesecrazy said:

if it's high miles then you'll have to see if it's financially viable,

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Not nessecarily, if you know the car then it's always worth a replacement engine IMO. Most Pandas are stil worth over £1k ATM.

Lots of the later engine types also, although I believe they're interchangeable as long as its still a euro 4 engine.

Most Easterly Pandas said:

Not nessecarily, if you know the car then it's always worth a replacement engine IMO. Most Pandas are stil worth over £1k ATM.

Lots of the later engine types also, although I believe they're interchangeable as long as its still a euro 4 engine.

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yes - probably true,
I wasn't really thinking of what a '07 panda would sell for :bang:

just the cost of getting a "professional" do all that work

if it's done REALLY high mileages..,
I would always be worried about "other issues" ( £££)

gearbox - etc.

I know benny got his 1242 for @ £150 and a guy fitted it for similar so a proper repair for@ £300 is fine,

my preferred option would be = buy an MOT failure punto that runs well,

swap the engine / clutch / tyres ,ETC as required,

then weigh the punto in at the end of it all,

you'll only essentially be paying for labour that way

Most Easterly Pandas said:

I'd try rolling the car an bump starting it, will soon tell if its seized when you lift the clutch, be gentle though so you don't damage the gearbox if the engine is seized.

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Don't " run + bump it ",

just put it in 3rd gear and push HARD at a standstill,( handbrake off )

if the engine still turns over you'll hear a steady Chuff -chuff -chuff,

be prepared for it not moving an inch though

if it doesn't move at all , or just squeals / squeaks - then it'll need engine work..been there = done that with a FIRE engine with an engine sump removed on a bollard:bang:

need any more info.. You know where we are , good luck,
Charlie