General Dashboard Problem!

[ottiian]

hi

I have a Seat Marbella 900cc '93, which I believe is nearly identical to the original panda.
The thing is, in the dashboard there is a buzzer that is constantly on and emits a v. loud high pitched sound. I think that it is a warning device for either oil pressure, temp or manual choke on with norm temp. However, my pressure is fine, the car has never overheated and the choke is obv. in at normal temp.

Does the panda have such a 'feature' and has anyone had problems with it as well? if so, how do I cure it, bar opening the dash and smashing it!

Apart from this the car is v. good, brakes are suprisingly good when unloaded, but completely ineffective when I have 4 ppl in the car! Scary stuff. fun cornering tho!

thanks in advance

 

[John H]

AFAIK

No such thing exists on a UK spec Panda.

If you can find out the things which should cause the buzzer to go off, you can check to see if one of switches, or sensors is faulty.

For example - oil pressure switch...
( There is a picture in Haynes on the 903 engine, unfortunately it's such a close-up I couldn't say where exactly it is, and my Pandas are the other engine Perhaps Paul could enlighten us all )
If you find out where the switch is, pull the lead off and see if the noise stops
( the oil pressure switches I'm used to "open" when they have sufficient pressure - I'm assuming yours is the same )
It's possible the sense of your switch is opposite though, in which case try shorting the lead to the engine block [:0]

FWIW the oil pressure switch on the CL was stuck open when we got it - the oil light never came on.
New switch sorted it, but it was expensive for what it was - about 15 UKP ISTR.

Regards


John H

 

[custard]

sounds like a lights on/door open buzzer.i bought a car that had an aftermarket one that didnt work(didnt know it was there)until it slipped inside the door piller and earthed on the bodywork,just an idea

The Fiat Cinquecento
Fun While It Runs

 

[ottiian]

thanks guys,

I forgot to add, that it always turns off at high speed (75+) and when after idling, setting a very small bit of gas.

Its definately not a light on/door open buzzer or a handbrake warning buzzer or anything like that.

if uve any more ideas based on that, pls help!

 

[John H]

I can't add anything further

I did a google search, and found the same question a few years ago - with no reply

The current SEAT enthusiasts site seems to cover everything, except the Marbella.

Further searching turned up the unlikely "facts" that from '93 it was virtually the only car to have a carb and a catalyser, and some peculiar mechanical arrangement to adjust the carb for mixture.
Which is odd, as you claim to have a choke knob[:0]
(There is also a warning on this site not to buy one with a catalytic converter (ie post '93) which is no help at all if you have one...)

I wonder if your buzzer is a warning of an unhappy lambda sensor? Assuming it has such a thing (a sensor screwed into the exhaust pipe, with 1, 2,or 3 wires coming out of it).

Sorry I can't help.

John H

 

[Steven]

I went to look at a car advertised as a Panda and it turned out to be a Marbella with the badges removed. Irrevevant to this thread I know, but interesting none the less.

<h5>Click here for pictures of my Uno
Click here for pictures of my Brava

 

[PandaManPaul]

Originally posted by John H
For example - oil pressure switch...
( There is a picture in Haynes on the 903 engine, unfortunately it's such a close-up I couldn't say where exactly it is, and my Pandas are the other engine Perhaps Paul could enlighten us all )
If you find out where the switch is, pull the lead off and see if the noise stops

Well, I've had a look, but I've no idea where the oil pressure switch is. Seems to be hidden out of sight

 

[John H]

Thanks for looking Paul.

It's most likely to be low down, very near the oil filter:
size about three or so cm long, and between one and two wide, with a single lead plugged onto the top.
You might need to torch if it's at the back of the engine.

 

[PandaManPaul]

I'll look again tonight.

Need to renew the road tax by the end of the month, so I'll be in and around my garage later to put in my new shiny £110 paper disc.

 

[PandaManPaul]

Well, I had a look again last night. Got down on my hands and knees with a torch (I'm quite old for a young person ) but I'm afraid I still can't see it. [V]

There is a lead somewhere near the oil filter, but I've no idea where it goes :I

On a different note, I now have my shiny new tax disc - and it's pink! [:0] Clashes somewhat chronic with a red car!

 

[John H]

Thanks for looking anyway