As the title suggests we have an original Panda Cross and the n/s rear light cluster has just stopped working completely. I started with the brake light but the bulb was OK then suddenly the whole lot packed up and I get a warning signal on the dash. Any ideas?
Technical Fiat Panda Cross n/s Rear Light Cluster not working
- Thread starter Toshi 975
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Technical Fiat Panda Cross n/s Rear Light Cluster not working
Lost earth in all probability
Worth unplugging from the loom plug and checking the metal of the connectors for oxidisation.
Common on the 199 puntos ;-)
Worth unplugging from the loom plug and checking the metal of the connectors for oxidisation.
Common on the 199 puntos ;-)
Clean up the light connector plug 1st..
The fact you had only 1 issue initially points to this..
Or all of that cluster would have died together ;-)
The fact you had only 1 issue initially points to this..
Or all of that cluster would have died together ;-)
The earth point is a bolt in the space behind the panel the boot light is in. I'll see if I can find a link to the fitting guide for tow bar wiring as it shows that earth point (edited - see image below).
But first - assuming you've not already done this - remove the whole light and check carefully for corrosion around the bulb holders, which will be an issue if any water's got in there. Undo the two screws securing the light to the car (best to use a hex socket rather than a cross head screwdriver as they are very tight), then pull the light straight backwards (away from the rear of the car). It is located in two lugs near the small side window and needs a good tug. Having removed the whole light, disconnect the plug from the back of it, then unscrew and remove the inner part with the bulbs in it. Take them all out and check for clean, shiny contacts. It's much more likely that the issue is in here than at the earth connection inside the car, as the latter is in the warm and dry.
Also, see this older post which seems to suggest the Cross version does suffer water ingress into the lights. (The regular Panda's rear light is one big moulding of red plastic. But for the Cross, it seems to be rather more separate pieces to allow for the black surround - and so many more chances of it leakin, and so corroding) https://www.fiatforum.com/threads/panda-cross-rear-lights.452751/
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Thank you for taking the time for your detailed explanation. i have had both rear light units out, mainly because my wife who alerted me to the problem told me the wrong side 
on our Panda cross the light units fix in with three of those hex head/Phillips screws and three more of those snap fasteners which are hard work. All very clean in there and no signs of any corrosion. Then you have five more Phillips head screws that hold a cover to reveal the bulb holders so a bit of a pain but good to know where that main earth is located. So it will all come out again to see if I can sort it
on our Panda cross the light units fix in with three of those hex head/Phillips screws and three more of those snap fasteners which are hard work. All very clean in there and no signs of any corrosion. Then you have five more Phillips head screws that hold a cover to reveal the bulb holders so a bit of a pain but good to know where that main earth is located. So it will all come out again to see if I can sort it
It's the bulb holders where you need to look for any corrosion (not the bodywork where the light units are), and on the metal 'can' at the base of each bulb. If any moisture has got in, there will be a layer of grey or white corrosion there which is enough to stop the bulbs working. Also (I think) there is an internal plug that connects onto the metal strips that act as wires to each bulb. Unplug that and check there too.
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