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Technical Lose of Power

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Technical Lose of Power

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Neogeta

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Jan 24, 2016
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Hi all, I am needing some help/advice as a new(ish) Panda owner.

I have a 2006 1.2 petrol Dynamic and have stated to have an issue over the past few weeks which appears to be becoming more regular.

When I am driving along the electrics appear to 'go'. My fuel gauge drops to empty, the mile counter is on but just displays dashers and my head lights flicker on and off (if on). Also, the power falls away and the car stutters.

This used to happen for a second or two but now it is on longer and the engine warning light has started to come on (amber) and the warning light to say my key isn't synced (or something along those lines) comes on also.

Turning the engine off and on again doesn't appear to make any difference either.

Any advice/help would be greatly received before I have to bite the bullet and take it in to the garage to have my pants pulled down.
 
Neogeta said:
Hi all,

When I am driving along the electrics appear to 'go'. My fuel gauge drops to empty, the mile counter is on but just displays dashers and my head lights flicker on and off (if on). Also, the power falls away and the car stutters.

Turning the engine off and on again doesn't appear to make any difference either.

Any advice/help would be greatly received .
Click to expand...

Hi, and welcome, :)
basically a power supply issue on the 12 Volt side;:(

a dodgy earth is a possibility..and easy to deal with,:cool:

next in line is a failing battery.., the fact it starts the car is no longer a sign of it's ability to provide a steady electrical supply to the Myriad of sensors on a modern vehicle..
our panda conked out completely..no fault could be found..:eek:
we fitted a new battery as a test.., and no repeat issue in the 6 years since.., :worship:

Charlie - Oxford
 
The earth straps (engine and chassis ones) are known to cause issue, there's a guide in the 500 section about replacing them.

Though this does sound like a ignition power feed issue, and I've seen a similar problem before. Most ignition power failed (all dash clocks and lights except ABS) but the starter still cranked.
Turned out it was the alternator.
 
The type of use your car gets can help pinpoint the problem. If you use your car frequently for long journeys, especially including some night time driving, then the alternator is not the culprit. If you use it infrequently for short journeys then it may be to blame. Using a simple voltmeter, you can check the battery itself, and the alternator. If you're not sure how, just ask.

As well as checking the tightness of battery connections, also check the earthing straps on the car body and the engine. These all need to have clean connections and be tight. Feel along the battery leads, looking for any weakness or break under the plastic covering, especially at the ends.

If everything above checks out fine, then you have narrowed down your search to a fault elsewhere with the car's electronics. Unplug and replug the connections to your ecu, using electrical contact spray as you do it. In fact, do this to every small electrical plug you can see - it can only do good.

An intermittent fault like this is hard to isolate, and often requires a lot of patience as you eliminate possible culprits. Report back please, because your findings will help others.
 
Neogeta said:
Hi all, I am needing some help/advice as a new(ish) Panda owner.

I have a 2006 1.2 petrol Dynamic and have stated to have an issue over the past few weeks which appears to be becoming more regular.

When I am driving along the electrics appear to 'go'. My fuel gauge drops to empty, the mile counter is on but just displays dashers and my head lights flicker on and off (if on). Also, the power falls away and the car stutters.

This used to happen for a second or two but now it is on longer and the engine warning light has started to come on (amber) and the warning light to say my key isn't synced (or something along those lines) comes on also.

Turning the engine off and on again doesn't appear to make any difference either.

Any advice/help would be greatly received before I have to bite the bullet and take it in to the garage to have my pants pulled down.
Click to expand...
No mention of PAS warning light..usually the first thing to show with an electrical power issue..??
 
Thank you to everyone for the replies so far. I'll be trying to isolate the problem over the weekend and will feedback once I've done this.

I mainly do short journeys with the occasional blast up the motorway to the in-laws. But I do use the car midst days. So I may need to consider the alternator by the sounds of it too.
How would I check this is working properly using a voltmeter?

And thank you for being gentle with a virgin poster.
 
Last edited:
Update:

I've checked the battery and the alternator today and they appear to be in good working order.
All earth connections appear to secure and no obvious signs of broken wires.
Checked fuses are in securely, which they are. Also checked all connections I see and they appeared secure.

Got a feeling it may be an ECU issue.
 
Neogeta said:
Update:

I've checked the battery and the alternator today and they appear to be in good working order.
All earth connections appear to secure and no obvious signs of broken wires.
Checked fuses are in securely, which they are. Also checked all connections I see and they appeared secure.

Got a feeling it may be an ECU issue.
Click to expand...

hi, well done for getting through your tests, (y)
12 volt at battery terminals, and 14+Volts at bettery with engine running,;)

VERY unusual to have a faulty ECU..almost certainly an issue where the ECU isn't getting TRUE READINGS from the engine sensors:eek: - either wiring, or a poor battery,
unless the battery has served you well for 6 months to 18 months I'd change it for a known good one,
honestly the cheapest test.., :)
Charlie - 1.1 panda's - Oxford
 
Thanks again for all the advice, very much appreciated and nice to see such an active, friendly forum.

Looking like a trip to the garage for me tomorrow though. Had to use the car today and on top of the original fault I also had the ABS, power steering and handbrake light flashing on and off intermittently. ?
 
Neogeta said:
Thanks again for all the advice, very much appreciated and nice to see such an active, friendly forum.

Looking like a trip to the garage for me tomorrow though. Had to use the car today and on top of the original fault I also had the ABS, power steering and handbrake light flashing on and off intermittently.
Click to expand...

battery.. how old is it, :confused: https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/432820-help-power-steering-light-came-my-panda-today.html
for @£50 I'd change it anyway, cheaper than the 1st garage visit.. and possibly a LOT more useful:rolleyes:

lots of next day delivery Bosch S4 batteries for panda's on the 'Web..that's what I tend to use on my FIAT fleet.(y)

Charlie - Oxford
 
Last edited:
varesecrazy said:
battery.. how old is it, :confused:
for @£50 I'd change it anyway, cheaper than the 1st garage visit.. and possibly a LOT more useful:rolleyes:

lots of next day delivery Bosch S4 batteries for panda's on the 'Web..that's what I tend to use on my FIAT fleet.(y)

Charlie - Oxford
Click to expand...

Hi Charlie,

I have just checked through the paper work I have and it appears the battery was last changed in July 2010. So looking at 5.5yrs old.
I think I'll have a look at the S4 you suggested and try that first as it appears I'm due a battery change anyway.

Thanks again and I'll keep updating and will hopefully help someone else out in the future! (y)
 
Well, finally I have got to the bottom of the issue and it wasn't anything simple, or cheap, unfortunately.

I bought a new battery and this made no difference so I took it in for a diagnostic and 7 fault codes were stored in the computer. To quote my bill the issue was:

"Found ECU faulty, causing unstable voltage being sent to ignition coil packs. Also Found ignition coil packs split and arcing out on side of ECU.
Found burnt wiring on main wiring harness"

Apparently, this is the 3rd Panda they've had in with this same issue over the last year according to the mechanic and he knows of a few other garages that have come across this same issue.

Just wanted to thank everyone again for all the advice offered. It is very much appreciated. Glad the issue is now solved as the car drives the best it ever has, just wish it didn't cost as much as it did to sort out!!
 
Neogeta said:
Well, finally I have got to the bottom of the issue and it wasn't anything simple, or cheap, unfortunately.

I bought a new battery and this made no difference so I took it in for a diagnostic and 7 fault codes were stored in the computer. To quote my bill the issue was:

"Found ECU faulty, causing unstable voltage being sent to ignition coil packs. Also Found ignition coil packs split and arcing out on side of ECU.
Found burnt wiring on main wiring harness"

Apparently, this is the 3rd Panda they've had in with this same issue over the last year according to the mechanic and he knows of a few other garages that have come across this same issue.

Just wanted to thank everyone again for all the advice offered. It is very much appreciated. Glad the issue is now solved as the car drives the best it ever has, just wish it didn't cost as much as it did to sort out!!
Click to expand...

ouch..(n)

common in the punto 2/b section,( same engine set-up):eek:

poor (worn)plugs , make the coil packs work really hard, this can put big strain on the fairly lightweight parts of the ECU that control this stuff ..:(

how long had the plugs been in there..??:confused:
not heard of split coil packs though..??

Charlie
 
varesecrazy said:
poor (worn)plugs , make the coil packs work really hard, this can put big strain on the fairly lightweight parts of the ECU that control this stuff ..:(
Click to expand...

That's why I recommend fitting iridium plugs at the first opportunity. Apart from remaining servicable for much longer, they run with a reduced gap, which puts less stress on the (rather fragile) coil packs.
 
varesecrazy said:
ouch..(n)

common in the punto 2/b section,( same engine set-up):eek:

poor (worn)plugs , make the coil packs work really hard, this can put big strain on the fairly lightweight parts of the ECU that control this stuff ..:(

how long had the plugs been in there..??:confused:
not heard of split coil packs though..??

Charlie
Click to expand...

Just had a quick look and the plugs were last changed in June 2013 (I've owned the car since Aug'15) by the looks of it. I'm not sure how often the plugs should be changed?
But I'd of thought they would last 2 years without any issue?
 
Neogeta said:
Just had a quick look and the plugs were last changed in June 2013 (I've owned the car since Aug'15) by the looks of it. I'm not sure how often the plugs should be changed?
But I'd of thought they would last 2 years without any issue?
Click to expand...

normally, but it's probably down to brand /quality.., and the use of the car..,

TBH my panda 1.1 has only had 3 sets in 80K / 11 years.

did coil packs @50k as a service item.
 
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