General Urgent, please help! Panda won't start!

[edessex]

I've got a 1991 Panda 903cc Dance.

The temperature sensor in the radiator stopped working the other day, I've still been using her but taking it easy with my eye on the temperature gauge. I got the new sensor through today, and fitted it after work. To make it easier to access it I unbolted and removed the radiator fan. I removed the old sensor, fitted the new one, bolted the fan back in, and plugged the two plugs back in. Pretty easy job really...

BUT, when I went to start the car, nothing happened! The lights, radio, windscreen wipers, etc all still work fine with the ignition on, but the battery light doesn't show (which it usually does), and nothing happens when I turn the key to start.

What have I managed to do?
Supposed to be going out this evening....

Any help will be appreciated!

 

[Alan.D]

The engine doesn't turn over at all?

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

I can't locally think of what you could have done. It's not as though you were working anywhere near the startermotor or anything like that. Have you check the fuses? Not that I can think of a fuse just for starting.

Hope someone comes up with what it could be and that you manage to sort it. The only otherthing your could do is call out the RAC or AA if you've got cover (and homestart).

Jon.

 

[petel]

Not fully familiar with the layout of the 903 engine but could you have disturbed/dislodged the low tension lead on the starter solenoid whilst changing the temp sensor?
Rgds.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Not fully familiar with the layout of the 903 engine but could you have disturbed/dislodged the low tension lead on the starter solenoid whilst changing the temp sensor?
Rgds.

, I forgot its not a FIRE engine. So what I said earlier is probably all wrong.

Jon.

 

[Chas Uno]

I've got a feeling that the alternator is at the front of a 903cc engine, near to the radiator and fan? Is it possible you knocked off one of the alternator leads, which may explain why the battery light doesn't come on?

 

[Alan.D]

Got the feeling he's already gone out......

 

[edessex]

It must be sonething eletrical, I'm sure of that much!

I have RAC, but not homestart, and I think if I towed it to down the road they would only tow me back!

The cables to the starter motor are still attached, and so are the cables to the alternator.... I did have a couple of blown fuses, replaced them anyway, still had nothing....

 

[Karmic_Nomad]

Hello
I used to have a 903 Dance.
The engine layout isn't a million miles from a lot of the FIREs arpart from the pancake airbox.
It is really hard to say what has happened (I have been there and feel for you)

If the starter motor doesn't even engage it has to be something on the ignition circuit. It is strange how the battery light does not come on.

May be worth replacing all the fuses even if they look ok.

There is an additional in-line fuse in a little white capsal. try that(see photo)

And checking the battery, Even though they should use more juice I have had lights and radio working but not enough to turn starter motor before due to low battery (but it did click when I tried to turn over)

Try unpluggin the sensor again and see if any different.

I had some problems with my Dance and parts of the electrical circuits failing (lights and horn) but I am afraid I had to get a bit voodoo to resolve the problem and really never found out the actual cause.

Anything that doesn't cost you money is worth a go at this stage, time to employ a liquid spanner

Sorry this is not overly helpful

 

[Chas Uno]

It must be sonething eletrical, I'm sure of that much!

I have RAC, but not homestart, and I think if I towed it to down the road they would only tow me back!

The cables to the starter motor are still attached, and so are the cables to the alternator.... I did have a couple of blown fuses, replaced them anyway, still had nothing....

Were the fuses blown before or after you changed the thermoswitch? And which fuses were they and did they blow again (or not) when you tried to start the car? Did you disconnect the battery before doing any work?

If the car was starting and running before you changed the switch then it must have been something you did during the thermoswitch changing process. Double check that you haven't dislodged any small leads to the starter motor, alternator or even the battery. Both the alternator and starter motor will have big leads going to them, but they also have smaller leads. The smaller lead on the starter motor supplies the solenoid, which is what is needed to make it work! The smaller lead on the alternator is normally used for illuminating the battery light on the dashboard, hence if it was dislodged then that would explain it not coming on.

Check, and double check for any dislodged leads around the starter motor and alternator areas!

 

[rustypanda]

Im thinking maybe a bad engine earth could cause all the problems described check all engine earth leads.
You can do this with a jump lead from the engine block to either the negative of the battery or to a good earth point on the car body


BE CAREFULL NOT TO PUT IT ON THE POSITIVE SIDE OF THE BATTERY

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

BE CAREFULL NOT TO PUT IT ON THE POSITIVE SIDE OF THE BATTERY

Big bada bom.

I have to make sure I don't do this on the Selecta as the battery sits the other way around to the batteries on the 750L and 1000CL.

Jon.

 

[edessex]

Thanks for all your help guys, to cut a very long and painful story short, the earth cable had sheared off the engine and the points stuck!

Meaning one positive charge engine and no chance of starting it!

Fiddled with the points and she now starts.

Pity we took all the electric off before finding out!

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

Yay, atleast she goes again.