General Clueless

[Clueless]

I'm clueless by name and clueless by nature. I admit I'm a feeble minded lady who doesn't seem to have done very well with any of my cars but my latest addition a Fiat Panda Fire 740cc. which I've had just two weeks has already cost me £177 and rising if I let it. Would be grateful for any useful suggestions and comments. So far, I've had the throttle cable replaced cos it was fraying, new speedo cable, trouble with the choke. After these jobs were done, the fan stopped working as did the windscreen wipers, earthing had to be sorted. Latest tragedy was Christmas Eve stuck in an McDonalds car park ready to pick up my teenager at 9 p.m. from working with a five year old in car, finding the car had little power wouldn't rev. Tried starting several times. Eventually deado!!! Went to move car today, after pushing it tried starting - first time, was able to drive it home 12 miles but still cutting out at junctions. On drive, started once after putting in lst gear and rocking it now that doesn't even work.....Anybody have any idea how much starter motors cost and having read some of the threads already seem to be a lot of common problems. Have wondered if work on throttle has disturbed starter motor?? By the way I was told common fault on handbrakes with these cars that they don't hold and can't be resolved. Should I spend anymore on it!!! Happy Christmas!!

 

[black_cinq]

I hope it was cheap.

Welcome to the forum and merry christmas!

 

[Harllequin]

If you be in the UK and clost to me I'll come and have a look.

I'm in the Uk in the County Durham end of the world. Consett to be exact.

Hope you are close.

Merry crimbo

Darren

 

[pandafan]

Hello 'Clueless' (?)....I think not...........,

To have purchased a 'Panda', you must have been at least a little aware of what you were buying into (?),
The original Fiat Panda is my favourite car of all time.............and have driven the 'best'.
However, there are certain facts that you must accept:
Namely:
1. Fiat (still) can't 'do' handbrakes......Our next-door neighbour bought a new Stilo. The handbrake gave way on her drive. The car rolled down the road and wrote-off a Mondeo....not a bad thing...but...quite costly.
2. Electrics......aaaahhhhhh.
If only somebody who had been to (at least) primary school had explained 'how to' earth electrical systems to Fiat my life would have been considerably less interesting !
3. Body-rot. (?)
4. You must be patient with the 'independantly-minded' Panda gearbox which will, inevitably, decide FOR you which gear you REALLY wanted; irrespective of the one you actually selected.

Welcome to the wonderful world of the Fiat Panda !

If you need any help, just ask.

 

[Clueless]

Thanks for all your replies, actually I was 'given' the car!!! - Harllequin I'm the other end, well nearly, thank you for your offer.....looks like this car may be more than I can handle. On the positive side, if I'd spent the money on my volvo I would never have found all of you!! Does anybody know how much a new starter motor might likely to be? Oh yes, is the carb. temperamental, cos I have a sneaking feeling the cars power dropped whilst driving becos of it. By the way, I have been told their is an air leak around carb. which they can't find...The poor thing is stuck on my drive now....

 

[John H]

It might be worth seeing if the battery has any charge left in it - if the drive belt for the alternator is slack it won't charge the battery enough to replace the energy used in starting, or using running lights and blower... then it won't turn over enough to start without pushing, and finally not at all, when the battery is virtually flat.
That may not be your problem, but it is an avenue worth exploring.

The starter motor is an expensive object - make sure it is faulty before it's replaced.

A common place for an air leak is the vacuum advance unit - it's a little cartridge on the distributor, with a small pipe which goes to the inlet manifold.
Persuade somebody to unplug this pipe at the manifold end and see if they can blow through it - if they can, the cartridge is broken (and leaking air).
As a temporary measure you could unplug the pipe at the distributor end, and plug it with a small bolt or similar sized object.
But to run properly it should be replaced.

The handbrake is marginal for efficiency at MOT time - the 17% mine manages is on the limit.
When it gets a bit warmer I intend to see if it will improve with new slave cylinders, lithium gease on the back plate in positions described in "Porter", new shoes, and to "de-glaze" the inside of the drums too.

 

[Sacan]

Whats this i hear about bad handbrakes?
Mines gr8! Best handbrake i have ever seen!

And electrics, well, okey.... After i fitted my Stereo, something is a miss....
But it works! (Bosh made)

rust? where? havent seen any what so ever!

 

[pandafan]

Sacan !!!!!!!!

I'll buy it !

How much !

 

[Sacan]

hmm, 15grand, and u pick it up!
Have a nice flight!

 

[pandafan]

I have no recolection of the last posting..............must be the medication...........