Technical Fiat Panda 2005 Active

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Technical Fiat Panda 2005 Active

Sounds like you need to sell the car and buy another! Sell it to me and I will fix it myself using the info already given in this thread.

Or, continue to drive it if the fault has gone away. It ain’t going to leave you stranded.

Seriously, get another quote from a different garage. Sounds like your garage are trying to have your pants down. That quote is about twice what the car is worth!

Main dealer be quote for a brand new column fitted
As others have said you get get a refurbished one for a few £100 and likely about the same again for fitting from a independent
 
Main dealers don't want these jobs so they ask silly prices to make it worth their while bothering. Good local garages will be familiar with such things and do the work for reasonable costs.

I'm sure a professional will soon be along to confirm the time needed but the work to fit a new steering column can't be more than 2 hours. Lets say £100.

A service exchange steering column is less than £174.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FIAT-PANDA-ELECTRIC-POWER-STEERING-COLUMN-TORQUE-POSITION-SENSOR-EXCHANGE-UNIT/201027966831?fits=Car+Make%3AFiat%7CModel%3APanda&epid=1334318921&hash=item2ece33576f:g:L6gAAOSwDw9bLjVv

You buy an overhauled to as new condition steering column and pay a deposit that's returned when you return your old parts. Even with delivery you should have change from £200.


BUT -
If you still have an old battery and/or your alternator is not charging properly the problem will still happen. Both need to be properly tested and ruled out.
 
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As Dave said, check the battery first! If in any doubt or it is 4 or more years old, change it. Even if it "passes" a Halfords test (or similar).
Then, if the problem still appears, go the refurbished unit route.

First timers may take 90mins or so to remove, and an hour to replace. (Usual hold ups are releasing the airbag, disconnecting various electrical connectors and working out the correct order to undo things).

Once you've done one the whole lot (out and back in) should take less than an hour, including leaving the battery disconnected for 15 mins before touching airbag (use the time to remove the shroud, remove the UJ bolt, check over the replacement part, and have a cup of tea).

Well within the scope of a DIY-er, let alone an moderately capable local mechanic.
 
A new EPS power steering unit has been installed. I pick up the car today, Monday and pay for this with help from a freind who I will repay over a period of months.


I will be getting an Interim service done later in October, along with a coolant change, battery check and a new battery if require. Current battery is 4 years old I think, if we are in for another cold winter like last winter then a new battery might be a good idea. Servicing will be carried out by a small independant garage, I will try and keep away from Main Dealers as they are too expensive.


Next Full service will be done in the Autumn of 2019 prior to that winter.
 
A new EPS power steering unit has been installed. I pick up the car today, Monday and pay for this with help from a freind who I will repay over a period of months.


I will be getting an Interim service done later in October, along with a coolant change, battery check and a new battery if require. Current battery is 4 years old I think, if we are in for another cold winter like last winter then a new battery might be a good idea. Servicing will be carried out by a small independant garage, I will try and keep away from Main Dealers as they are too expensive.


Next Full service will be done in the Autumn of 2019 prior to that winter.
What did you pay for the new unit in the end?
 
In the end, I was given 47.37 Percent Discount on the diagnostics which I had originally been quoted £95-00 for. I paid £50-00 for this.


I was charged £250-00 for Steering column and shear bolt, again a 47.37 Percentdiscount, probably this was for labour.



The Electric Steering Column as a 'No Franchise' quote on the bill and this was £726-00.


VAT was £205-20. Bill total was = £1,231-20 - much less than the orignal quote of £1,873-14.. Which I ahve to be thankful for. However I will be using an independant garage for MOT, servcing etc. Main dealers tend to ahve greater overheads than smaller independants.



At least i have my car back after nearly 3 months of saving up the Shekels to pay for these repairs. I have had to chase buses like other folks or walk a:eek:(y) bit more.
 
Fiat Pand has been driven now for over 2 weeks, no problems and steering is fine. An Interim service is due in a few weeks, including battery condition check and coolant change.
 
I need to replace the rear silencer box (blowing), however this has not affected the MOT over several years. What is the average costs/laboy/VAT for the rear silencer box and support bracket for a Fiat panda.

I am intending to have replaced done at a local ATS place as it will be cheaper than a Main Dealer or a Fiat Main Dealer?

Also to replace the Sump of the Fiat Panda, as I have somehow kerbed/damaged the current one, which has resulted in the discovery of a slow 'weep' of oil on a recent Interm Service.
 
ATS quoted me "At least £200 plus VAT" for a new exhaust on a Panda 1200.

A full system (from the catalyst to back end) on eBay costs around £70 and not even 30 minutes for them to fit it. They were clearly having a laugh.

Frankly I don't trust them or Quickfit or any of the fast fit ripoffs.

PS

ATS (at a different site) messed me about some years ago when I specified Bridgestone Potenza tyres for an Audi and waited for delivery. The tyres came in and I had them fitted. Except they had fitted Goodyear F1s which I had specifically asked them not to get. I was then over a barrel because the old rubber was knackered and they had done the job. The noisy F1s spoiled the car.
 
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Go to a small local garage that survives on reputation. They might even let you supply the exhaust but even with their margin they will be a lot less money than ATS.
 
Fiat Panda rear nearside light cluster - possible short or bad earth on this side. Rear indicator sometimes speeds up the flashing and rear ligh also flashes; this only occurs when engone is running

I have been advised this is caused by a bad earth. Will taking apart the light cluster and giving it a clean up with WD40 sort this out. I have also been advised there is a small printed circuit in the light cluster might be the cause of the problem, also changing the bulbs...??
 
That's just a bit of corrosion. Clean connector with a file and then use proper contact cleaner as WD40 not much use for that.
 
I felt sad reading this thread.
Yes, the OP has got his car fixed, but even though he came to this forum seeking advice, he chose to ignore all the helpful and expert suggestions and paid through the nose for the fix instead.

This forum is a library of knowledge and has a bunch of good guys who freely contribute their expertise. To come here for help and then ignore it all seems self-defeating to me. Regrettably, the old saying, 'Penny wise and pound foolish' comes to mind.

Glad your car is up and running again, but mystified by the expensive route you took to get it fixed.
 
The OP might be upset to hear me say this but this example is not dissimilar to the power steering problem quoted at three times what it should be for a worst case warrantied repair when all along it could just be the battery.

They have gone quiet so it's anyone's guess if sensible option was taken.
 
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