Hi all

Strange problem... checked the car last night (oil, water, fuel are okay), getting ready for a trip this morning and when started the car, nothing. Not a sound or light.

Friend came by helped me jump start the car and nothing. No turning, clicking sound or light.

Got a new battery. Tighten connections. Started again and nothing.

What is wrong?

Welcome to the forum.

Just to confirm, when you turn the key to the first position, none of the dash lights come on?

Just the airbag icon for a split second... nothing else

Mrroberts69 said:

Hi all

Strange problem... checked the car last night (oil, water, fuel are okay), getting ready for a trip this morning and when started the car, nothing. Not a sound or light.

Friend came by helped me jump start the car and nothing. No turning, clicking sound or light.

Got a new battery. Tighten connections. Started again and nothing.

What is wrong?

Click to expand...

Hi,
If jump start did not work neither will an new battery. Have you checked the fuses including any actually on the battery connector? Next check the battery negative (ground) lead is still connected to the chassis. If this broke wile driving the car could still run on the alternator output but would be totally dead next time you tried to start. If unsure how to check it try connecting a single jump lead from the battery negative to the engine block or gearbox casing.
To do anything more you will need a multimeter (voltmeter).
Another possibility is you disturbed something doing your checks last night. Have a good look around for disturbed connections.


What year and engine is your Panda?
Where are you located?


Robert G8RPI.

Just went back to the car to double check and noticed the dash lights did came on when turned to first position.

Which fuses do I check for??

It is 2003 Panda Dynamic 1.2 and live in Newport (NP20)

Will do the single jump lead trick now...

Did the single jump lead trick and nothing.

Interesting afternoon...

Lucky, my mother has a family AA membership and Steve, the AA guy found out that I had a dodgy battery, which I bought it brand new this morning. Return it.

The AA guy took me to a trustworthy supplier, Spantan Motor Factors and bought a Banner, Bull series type battery. Installed it and volia, my car is good.

It all started with that radio/cd player that kept coming on whether the engine is on or not, which grinded the old battery to death.

Can anyone point me to the correct fuse so I can disable it? The AA guy tried P35 and P36 fuse with no luck. I would like to disable it for good.

The radio has been wired in incorrectly, and the ignition switched live has been wired to a permanent source. This is a common issue in Fiats, and requires that a proper ignition switched source (ie. the cigar lighter) is used. A competent auto-electrician should be able to sort it in no time, don't even think of asking Halfords.

The OEM CD player has a habit of running the CD function and killing batteries.

DaveMcT said:

The OEM CD player has a habit of running the CD function and killing batteries.

Click to expand...

Ah yes, I was assuming aftermarket.

Eklipze3k said:

Ah yes, I was assuming aftermarket.

Click to expand...

All we can do is guess about such "details"

Lights come on the dash but the starter motor doesn't turn?

Headlights on do they dim when you try and crank the engine ?

If they don't I would suspect the ignition switch or wiring to the starter

Simple fix.

If it's aftermarket - drive to an auto electrician to have it properly fitted.

If its OEM radio do the same but buy a half decent aftermarket while you are there.