FiatPandaBlue
New member
Hello everyone,
I have been running my 2006 Fiat Panda (1.1) for around seven years, during which time it's been pretty faultless (only an easily remedied issue with the handbrake).
However, a few weeks ago, the car started to 'Kangaroo' or drop power momentarily when driving typically around 30-40 mph when I'm 3rd or 4th gear (it would happen in different gears and at different speeds but not as frequently). It was not dependent on whether I was accelerating and would happen both during acceleration and when travelling at a constant speed.
At first it was very intermittent, once or twice every couple of outings in the car (typically I drive a 25 mile round trip to work Monday to Friday). It got slightly worse, happening near enough every drive but only towards the end. However, the car didn't stall and there were no warning lights on the dashboard. I thought initially it might be something to do with a CV joint or something because the car idled fine and it didn't sound like it was misfiring. I took it to a mechanic friend who checked the CV joints out and also took it for a drive and didn't notice anything untoward (it didn't drop power during his test drive). He said the engine sounded like it was running fine, which I agree it was.
Fast forward a couple of weeks and I'm travelling home and sitting in traffic and all of a sudden the car starts badly kangarooing at all speeds in all gears, power coming and going. About half a mile from home the engine management light, battery light and oil light all erupt on the dash, and the car cuts out. I start it back up, no strange noises, its just idling, I go to pull off and it cuts out. Manage to get it to the side of the road and have it recovered.
Next morning I start it up, lights have gone of the dash and I take it for a little drive, no problems. After looking at google, one of the suggestions is HT leads. I have a quick tug at them to see if any are loose and the third one along from the driver's side seems to be moving a little too freely, so I buy a brand new set of HT leads thinking one of them has failed. Upon taking the air box off to fit them, I discover it's not the HT lead that's loose, it's the actual spark plug itself. I tighten the spark plug up and then order a new set to fit (last changed them about 5 years ago).
The car ran fine with the the old spark plug tightened and even better when I fitted the new ones. Nearly two weeks after I fitted the new spark plugs and HT leads, the issue has started again very intermittently. I have checked the new spark plugs are fitted correctly and are still tight, which they are.
It has begun lightly kangarooing again, with small power drops when driving around 30-40 mph in 3rd and 4th gear. Doesn't seem to be impacted by temperature of the engine, or whether it's under load or travelling at a constant speed. It runs spot on when idling, no misfiring or untoward noises. I'd say power feels slightly down, but it's not a quick car to begin with, so not really noticeable.
Does anybody have any ideas about what the issue might be?
Thanks
Mac
I have been running my 2006 Fiat Panda (1.1) for around seven years, during which time it's been pretty faultless (only an easily remedied issue with the handbrake).
However, a few weeks ago, the car started to 'Kangaroo' or drop power momentarily when driving typically around 30-40 mph when I'm 3rd or 4th gear (it would happen in different gears and at different speeds but not as frequently). It was not dependent on whether I was accelerating and would happen both during acceleration and when travelling at a constant speed.
At first it was very intermittent, once or twice every couple of outings in the car (typically I drive a 25 mile round trip to work Monday to Friday). It got slightly worse, happening near enough every drive but only towards the end. However, the car didn't stall and there were no warning lights on the dashboard. I thought initially it might be something to do with a CV joint or something because the car idled fine and it didn't sound like it was misfiring. I took it to a mechanic friend who checked the CV joints out and also took it for a drive and didn't notice anything untoward (it didn't drop power during his test drive). He said the engine sounded like it was running fine, which I agree it was.
Fast forward a couple of weeks and I'm travelling home and sitting in traffic and all of a sudden the car starts badly kangarooing at all speeds in all gears, power coming and going. About half a mile from home the engine management light, battery light and oil light all erupt on the dash, and the car cuts out. I start it back up, no strange noises, its just idling, I go to pull off and it cuts out. Manage to get it to the side of the road and have it recovered.
Next morning I start it up, lights have gone of the dash and I take it for a little drive, no problems. After looking at google, one of the suggestions is HT leads. I have a quick tug at them to see if any are loose and the third one along from the driver's side seems to be moving a little too freely, so I buy a brand new set of HT leads thinking one of them has failed. Upon taking the air box off to fit them, I discover it's not the HT lead that's loose, it's the actual spark plug itself. I tighten the spark plug up and then order a new set to fit (last changed them about 5 years ago).
The car ran fine with the the old spark plug tightened and even better when I fitted the new ones. Nearly two weeks after I fitted the new spark plugs and HT leads, the issue has started again very intermittently. I have checked the new spark plugs are fitted correctly and are still tight, which they are.
It has begun lightly kangarooing again, with small power drops when driving around 30-40 mph in 3rd and 4th gear. Doesn't seem to be impacted by temperature of the engine, or whether it's under load or travelling at a constant speed. It runs spot on when idling, no misfiring or untoward noises. I'd say power feels slightly down, but it's not a quick car to begin with, so not really noticeable.
Does anybody have any ideas about what the issue might be?
Thanks
Mac
