After my 05 Panda MJ gave sterling service over 12 years and around 115,000 miles I had high hopes for its replacement, namely a late '13 Panda Easy with the 1.2 petrol motor. So far, despite its galactic mileage (OK, 36,000 isn't exactly worthy of an entry in the Guinness Book of Records) it's been fine, until now.

A few months ago during one of its (very) occasional forays into the upper reaches of the rev range, well over 4,000 anyway, I heard a strange engine speed related whine, or buzzing sound. It didn't crop up again for a couple of months, this time on start up. But then this afternoon as I was heading out to do some food shopping it did again, once more when starting.

Until after a few miles the charging light came on when the engine was idling, but went off as the revs picked up. This rang a slight bell.....until I got back home and just as I was pulling up outside Beard Mansions I seemed to be parking a 1967 Vauxhall Cresta. Yes the power steering had packed up.

I've had a quick butcher's around the forum but can't see anything, but this charge light coming on, followed by the steering failing rang a bell.

Just wondering if someone could point me in the right direction as I'm sure there's a thread on here about it.

Thanks chaps and chappesses

Hi

It needs full alternator output to keep the PAS functioning

Its probably the alternator..or belt.. making the noise

But Ive not seen mention of panda specific issues with the later stuff

Like you my 169 was great..
but I had a punto sporting that needed 3500 rpm on occasion to start charging.. would be fine for days then..

Hi.
I've heard of the same issue on Vauxhalls if the alternator packs up or the belt is loose the power steering fails to give assistance.

It's pretty common with electric power steering systems.
They are very power hungry and any blip or fault in the charging system or battery will cause the EPAS to throw a wobbly.

We're getting to the season where we'll see a whole host of similar posts, as these dark and cold days start to show up flaky batteries.

Get the belt checked/changed and the alternator output checked.
While you're at it, see if the garage can "voltage drop test" the battery, it's the way to test the real state of it, though if it the original from 2013, it's probably due a new one.

On the same subject, our lad's 1.2 Pop's steering always felt a bit tuggy or heavy, one way of the other.
As I didn't really drive it that often it, it never bothered me and he didn't complain.
It was only recently that I noticed a rather small, low amp, Halfords cheapo battery was fitted.

I swapped it out for a decent one of the right amps and the car steered like a dream after.

Thanks for your replies chaps. I knew it had something to do with the electrical system but couldn't remember what.

As it happened, I checked with the supplying dealer, Stoneacre in Hyde, and the extended warranty I purchased is still in force until next year so on Friday it has an appointment with a mechanic.....or at least what passes for one.

The Beard said:

As it happened, I checked with the supplying dealer, Stoneacre in Hyde.

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Hyde is my old town. Well nearly, Gee Cross just up the road.
'76 to '89, my tender years!

I also bought my first brand new car from Stoneacre Hyde.
51 plate metallic red Fiat Punto Active 3 door.

I went with my Dad as he wanted one (a horrid snot green metallic 5 door, they saw him coming with that one!) and the deal was so cheap, I bought one as well.

Hopefully they'll sort it, but if it requires a battery and belt, I don't think they will be under warranty, so you might have to cough up a little.

Ok chaps and/or chapesses, an update. The original response from Stoneacre was the expected "No fault found" but as it was a Friday they offered to hang onto the car and investigate further.

Come Monday I received a text update telling me the car was ready for collection. I turned up and was told it was fixed. After some delicate questioning, which admittedly involved me waterboarding the receptionist, I was finally told the fault was identified as being a loose battery lead.

After shelling out their standard £72 charge for a fault not found or covered under the warranty I was annoyed. Not just at the charge but because in 46 years of driving this was the first time I've ever had a battery lead come loose. As Stoneacre serviced the car in February so I would have thought this was something they would have had a quick check of.

But I'm also annoyed at myself as, after being a driving instructor for 33 years, this was one of the things I always told my pupils to check every week. Oil, water, screen wash, brake fluid, lights, wiper blades, plug leads, H/T lead and.....battery terminals.

D'oh!

Goudrons said:

Hyde is my old town. Well nearly, Gee Cross just up the road.
'76 to '89, my tender years!

I also bought my first brand new car from Stoneacre Hyde.
51 plate metallic red Fiat Punto Active 3 door.

I went with my Dad as he wanted one (a horrid snot green metallic 5 door, they saw him coming with that one!) and the deal was so cheap, I bought one as well.

Hopefully they'll sort it, but if it requires a battery and belt, I don't think they will be under warranty, so you might have to cough up a little.

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Funnily enough, 1989 was the year we moved to Denton. So you moved before we could bring the house prices crashing down.

We very nearly bought a house at the bottom of Joel Lane but it had a huge crack in the gable end wall and the Building Society wouldn't lend us the money even though the price reflected the amount that would need to be spent to bring it up to scratch.

Goudrons said:

.....though if it the original from 2013, it's probably due a new one.

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I've had it for almost three years now but the battery is a Lion so probably a replacement, although despite the fact that most components last longer than they did when I first started driving, car batteries don't seem to be among them, so I'm expecting to replace it this winter.

Hopefully it was just the loose terminal and that £72 taught you a leason to follow your own advice.

I used to deliver the MEN up Joel Lane, 6 afternoons a week as a kid. It wasn't just steep, it was vertical in some places.
I used to be able to ride up it with a bag full of papers on my Raleigh Grifter, which was the heaviest bike ever made.
I'm sweating now just thinking about driving up it!

Used to live down Apethorn Lane, down the side of Smith, Knight and Fay. Though that's now some swanky Audi Dealership.
I remember the forecourt full of aircooled VW's and the "new" Mk 1 Golf in the window of the showroom.
God I feel old!

The Beard said:

I've had it for almost three years now but the battery is a Lion so probably a replacement, although despite the fact that most components last longer than they did when I first started driving, car batteries don't seem to be among them, so I'm expecting to replace it this winter.

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You will have to replace it fairly soon if it s lion brand battery they are quite frankly trash
Stick to Bosch and varta and you won't go far wrong