<font color="black"></font id="black">

Sorry if this has been brought up before, i'm a noob here, but i have a problem with my Panda's wiper and heater fan.

They both don't want to work. Worked fine earlier today, but have given up the ghost since.

Does anybody have any suggestions of where i can look for the fault[?]


Lenny

I think you'll find they share an earth lead (black wire) back to the connector block on the inner wing, behind the headlight on the gearbox side of the car.

It a regular little nest of vipers, and it's responsible for lots of odd electrical problems.

The connectors to the block (assuming a pre '93 Panda) are a "spade" type push fit, but to remove them there is a little springy bit to press as you pull the connector off.

Your best course of action is to switch the heater on (with the ignition on) and have a gentle poke about the wires going to the block, and see if you get the heater to go.

If it is your problem, there are a number of possible fixes - some more drastic than others:
at the very least you need to unplug the offending lead, clean up the "spade" on the block with "wet and dry" or similar abrasive used dry, and possibly squeeze the connector gently with a pair of pliers to ensure a tighter grip.
If that works OK, remove it again and apply a liberal coating of petroleum jelly to the bits so they don't corrode up again.
Others have replaced the connectors, and even the earth block, in persuit of a reliable earth.
Some just cheat and give the wires a half turn so the connector is under tension[:0]

YMMV.

Let us know how you get on.

I found the block of earth wires you mentioned and it looked like a soot explosion had covered it!

Did as you suggested, though i took out the washer bottle to get easier access to the wires.

I may have to do something to seal the washer bottle a bit better as water was constanly dripping out of the top pump (rear washer pump?) around where the motor meets the pump itself.

Cleaned everything down, although i may replace the connectors at some point if it gives me any further grief.

Thanks for your help!!

Lenny

Glad it is sorted out

Thanks for the reply - it's nice when a good result comes back:
anyone searching the forum in future will find this as a fix for the same problem...

I've not had cause to work on the washer pumps - but I'd guess the best cheap fix is a trip to a breakers yard (if you can find one with a Panda in it) armed with the (10mm ?) box spanner.

Just to confirm John that it is indeed 10 mm.

For most casual FIAT Panda tasks all you generally need is 10mm and 13mm ...

My local scrapyard. Podders of Woodborough (about 4 miles north of Nottingham) usually has a couple of FIRE engined Pandas and Unos in stock.

I'm still gobsmacked from finding a complete Lumenition electronic ignition kit for my Skoda many years ago - at Podders.

Steve the geriatric Panda and Beagle freak

G781 TUT: White Panda 1000CL - currently off the road
J??? ???: Red Panda 1000CL - watch this space!
Y771 GNU - Silver Nissan Almera Tino (Penny's motor)