Technical New Member - Advice request for indicator replacement 2004 Panda

[billysally208]

Hi everyone - Newbie from Derbyshire - have owned and serviced a 2004 Panda Dynamic for over 12months but never had any problems with it, apart from finding which size/sort of oil filter was needed and replacing the front suspension arms which was straightforward enough.
Apologise for coming on straight away and asking questions - but I got the dreaded phone call from my daughter who uses the car to say that the indicator stalk had come off in her hand and she was stuck at work with no indicators. I intend replacing the stalk assembly myself, but would be grateful for any information on how to do the job. I have done some searching around but cannot see a full description anywhere. I understand that I need to remove the air bag/centre pad assembly from the steering wheel, which entails disconnecting the battery allowing the car to stand for half an hour to fully discharge the airbag, which then is unplugged and lifted out of the way. The steering wheel then has to be removed to allow access to the switch assembly underneath , which can then be changed.
My main questions are -
How is the steering wheel removed - is it a large nut holding it in place and is it easy to realign when replacing.
How is the switch assembly held in place - I'm hoping it will be obvious when I remove the steering wheel.
Looked on Eurocarparts for a relacement and they list two for our car - as far as I can see the difference being that one has a computer button (which I need) and the other doesn't.
Finally can anyone suggest where I can source a new switch assembly other than Eurocarparts where it is out of stock - I need one urgently and am based in the Derby/Nottingham area - would prefer to go the new route as opposed to secondhand.

I do apologise again if I have missed the obvious in my search of this Forum but any help/advice would really be appreciated.
Thank you
Alan

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi,
semi-common..

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/287187-panda-dipped-lights.html

found using the SEARCH function

several factors give a decent FF member discount,

Shop4parts,
Eurocarcare

Charlie - Oxford ,1.1 Active - had a new stalk at 1 year old..

 

[billysally208]

Thanks for your reply - I had seen that link but it doesn't really help my problem. I know I need a new stalk assembly but could do with info re removing the steering wheel to gain access to the unit and any other info. I'm hoping all will be revealed when I take the airbag and cover off. I'll take a look at the traders you mentioned, Cheers

 

[bravo86gaz]

make sure front wheels are straight!!the wheel will be held on with a large maybe 22mm nut, iirc it was on a vauxhall I had the wheel off (i know its not the same but similar idea), once youve taken the bolt off put it back on a couple of turns, the amount of force needed to pull it off will be enough to give you a sore one, then its just a case of unplugging airbag and horn

 

[billysally208]

make sure front wheels are straight!!the wheel will be held on with a large maybe 22mm nut, iirc it was on a vauxhall I had the wheel off (i know its not the same but similar idea), once youve taken the bolt off put it back on a couple of turns, the amount of force needed to pull it off will be enough to give you a sore one, then its just a case of unplugging airbag and horn

Thanks for that - although I have read somewhere that the steering wheel will only go back in one position - funny enough I have taken steering wheels off one or two Vauxhalls and they have a large nut and are usually on a tapered spline.

 

[varesecrazy]

this has been covered a fair few times,

Most Easterly Pandas

has needed to do it IIRC,

not convinced it's a wheel-off job..,

Charlie

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

It will be a steering wheel off job, but is dead easy. You're best just replacing the the entire assembly and clock spring unit

These should help, with some pic's to show how to remove the bag

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/343705-horn-not-working-airbag-light-2.html?p=3420405

https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/338097-panda-airbag-removal.html?p=3363589

 

[portland_bill]

Recently changed my top column/torque sensor, so had to remove wheel and switches.

Airbag releases with a screwdriver into the holes in back of wheel. Spring clips let go easily enough, once you've found it. Flat blade of driver towards wheel centre, push clip outwards, airbag pops up. With third one it will lift off, then gently release connector.

Put airbag, face up, in a safe place. Dealers have a "safe cupboard", I put mine in the boot. If it goes off, it is contained, but this is very unlikely.

Wheel held on with 24mm nut. Master spline on column, so can only go back in one place.

Once wheel off, remove column cowl. Screws are ok, but two halves clip together and fight. Some swearing is necessary.

Once cowl off, switch is held on by a clamp bolt, left of column, vertical, 5mm (I think) hex key, then pull off complete switch unit. Wriggle a little and it lets go.

Make sure new switch is pressed on fully, tighten clamp, then fight the cowls back on. Replace wheel and test. Then disconnect battery again before replacing airbag.

Update your location, there may be someone nearby who can help or has done it before.

 

[A3jeroen]

Won't the car throw a tantrum if you test without the airbag?
For some makes it's off to the dealer for a reset after doing this.

gr J

 

[billysally208]

Recently changed my top column/torque sensor, so had to remove wheel and switches.

Airbag releases with a screwdriver into the holes in back of wheel. Spring clips let go easily enough, once you've found it. Flat blade of driver towards wheel centre, push clip outwards, airbag pops up. With third one it will lift off, then gently release connector.

Put airbag, face up, in a safe place. Dealers have a "safe cupboard", I put mine in the boot. If it goes off, it is contained, but this is very unlikely.

Wheel held on with 24mm nut. Master spline on column, so can only go back in one place.

Once wheel off, remove column cowl. Screws are ok, but two halves clip together and fight. Some swearing is necessary.

Once cowl off, switch is held on by a clamp bolt, left of column, vertical, 5mm (I think) hex key, then pull off complete switch unit. Wriggle a little and it lets go.

Make sure new switch is pressed on fully, tighten clamp, then fight the cowls back on. Replace wheel and test. Then disconnect battery again before replacing airbag.

Update your location, there may be someone nearby who can help or has done it before.

Thank you for your post - did the job this morning - had a few problems sourcing a replacement even Valeo have none in stock until the 8th April - but eventually managed to get one from a local independent who got me one the same day Euro Car Care at Derby thanks to a heads up from @varesecrazy, Excellent service and helpful advice.

There are a few variations available depending mainly on whether or not you have a rear wiper, tachometer, remote radio controls, on board computer - so you need to be very careful, as mine still came up with 2 options even with the engine and chasis number as well as registration number.

Disconnected the battery the previous day, airbag unclipped using a flat ended screwdriver in the three holes around the steering wheel trim and gently turning them. Trim and airbag lifts up and two multiplugs disconnected, remove plastic cover from steering wheel centre nut (24mm), The steering wheel boss on mine had an arrow stamped on it that lines up with a dot on the steering column shaft. Wheel came off easily enough and just need to thread the wiring through the hole in the wheel boss.

Once wheel out the way remove the lower cowling three small screws and then the upper one that has two s/tapping screws. This gives access to the main switch body itself. the switch is clamped to the steering column by a collar that it tightened using a small allen screw which you access from underneath - undo this and the switch assembly pulls off the column, after unplugging the three multi plugs that are connected to the switch.

The new switch assembly comes with a red tab that holds the 'clock spring' mechanism in the correct position. Replace the new switch on the column making sure it is correctly seated and them clamp it in place. Re - connect the three multiplugs. Replace the upper and lower cowls at this stage as the upper is difficult to do with the wheel on. At this point, before replacing the steering wheel you need to snap off the red tab. Thread the two cables through the steering wheel and then replace it and the nut ensuring the two marks line up, and then replace the plastic cover on the nut. Connect the two multiplugs to the airbag and replace it and the centre pad in the steering wheel. I didn't replace the battery connections until I had completely reassembled it and the airbag was back in place and all was well.

The only thing I would say is that the steering wheel nut is very tight - DON'T rely on the vehicles steering lock to hold it in place while undoing or re tightening it, as you may break the mechanism and have major problems. I had someone hold the wheel in place when undoing and tightening - also watch that you use a well fitting socket - if it slips off the nut it is easy to damage the electrical plugs.

I do appreciate that a lot of the above has already been described and mentioned by other members, whose advice is appreciated, but thought it would'nt hurt to summarise it in one post. Thanks again everyone for their help.

That's one job out the way - only thing now is sat in car to move it out of the garage and the gear knob came off in my hand..................

 

[portland_bill]

Won't the car throw a tantrum if you test without the airbag?
For some makes it's off to the dealer for a reset after doing this.

gr J

I fitted mine all up without the airbag and tested the ignition switch, indicators, wipers, trip etc. This of course showed the airbag warning lamp for the duration of the test, then disconnected the battery again, fitted the airbag and switched on. Airbag light was then off, so no issues. No faults stored in the ECU, so this is useful to check everything works before fitting the airbag, just in case there are problems.

 

[A3jeroen]

Thanks for clearing that up.

gr J

 

[varesecrazy]

Thank you for your post -

I do appreciate that a lot of the above has already been described and mentioned by other members, whose advice is appreciated, but thought it would'nt hurt to summarise it in one post. Thanks again everyone for their help.

That's one job out the way - only thing now is sat in car to move it out of the garage and the gear knob came off in my hand..................

Absolutely no problem,
glad it went o.k.,

gear knob..
https://www.fiatforum.com/panda-gui...moval-info-gear-change-too.html#content_start

the araldite has lasted 2 years without issue..

Charlie