Panda (Classic) Godiva -- the blue 750L (L is for "Low mileage")

[homeward]

I think I'd still report the accident to cover yourself. As it was clearly the lorry at fault you might find the transport company will just throw a few hundred quid at you to keep it away from the insurers if you can trace them. :idea:

Thank you for your sanity and sagacity. :worship:

As a result, just spoke to a very nice Traffic WPC at Thames Valley Police: and now have an incident number; and confirmation that I did the right thing. Just need to pop into the local nick, tomorrow, to fill in a "non-stop report" and wave my driving licence at them (which usually results in them saying: "Ooh, you look like a member of the Baader Meinhoff, Mr Ward... -- I'm just going to check with Interpol...").

Time for a stiff whisky.... ("Have you been drinking Mr Ward? Blow into this until I collapse in a fit of giggles.")

Panda Interceptors -- slow, but thorough. We always get our man(ifold gaskets seen to). (Panto! looks a bit like a police Panda-car: just needs a light on top!) :nutter:

PS: Insurance database (according to both my insurers and the police) shows the lorry is fully insured. Fingers crossed.

 

[VmanC]

I thought your trip down was bad enough! Given that the driver that hit you had already annoyed other drivers beforehand I'd report him. It might not help your claim but at least he may get a load of grief from his employers, or the police if he owns the truck. I don't think he should be left to think he can drive like that and suffer no consequences whatsoever.

The only trouble I had with Pippin not starting was caused by the starter motor, fitting the new one sorted that. When you say the dash lights do you mean the ign. warning light etc?

The fuel pump is mechanical so won't affect the electrics. I would have a look at the wires to the alternator, if they are ok then check the ign. switch. It may also be worth checking the hedgehogs, I did connect to the one behind the n/s headlight and it seemed fine.

Give me a call if you need any further guidance.

 

[panda1408]

I thought you were going to say Betty had been written off at first At least you are ok and Betty can be put right, still pretty rubbish though

The fuel pump is mechanical by the way so if it is drawing too many amps you have a serious problem somewhere Sounds like you have an intermittent feed to all of the igntion switched electrics, could be a connection somewhere or possibly the igntion switch is at fault. The hazards will work regardless as they have a permanent live feed.

 

[homeward]

Got to VmanC's to find him heavily modding Pippin...!

Because of all the dark country roads, locally -- and the way cars tend not to mix well with the indigenous hedgehogs, badgers, deer, p(h)easants, etc. -- I purloined a grille from purple haze.... :worship:



The lights have since been adjusted to be level; and Vernon and I think this may have originally been for an Uno (although it fits perfectly, with a couple of minor adjustments...). It even came with a Mk2 Punto roundel attached: but we thought it looked very silly.

Here's Pippin with 12 months tax, after a visit to The Baker's Arms (with integral PO) in Droxford -- looking very smart, I think.



And here he is 75 miles later -- looking very sad, I think.



And here he is 45 minutes later.... :bang:



Still the best car I've ever owned, though. :slayer:

 

[Didge3]

What terrible news! Especially after Betty's brand new makeover
Glad you're ok though, thats always the most important thing after an incident.
Hope Pippin' hasn't caught some sort of bug and will be easy to sort too

 

[AndyPanda4x4]

Re: PIPPIN -- the blue 750L (L is for "Low mileage")

Wahey that grille looks mint!! Don't worry about the rest, it's all history now

Glad you got sorted with the Police, and all being well it looks like the driver will be brought to justice, or atleast what he/she deserves.

 

[Palio]

Got to VmanC's to find him heavily modding Pippin...!

Because of all the dark country roads, locally -- and the way cars tend not to mix well with the indigenous hedgehogs, badgers, deer, p(h)easants, etc. -- I purloined a grille from purple haze.... :worship:



The lights have since been adjusted to be level; and Vernon and I think this may have originally been for an Uno (although it fits perfectly, with a couple of minor adjustments...). It even came with a Mk2 Punto roundel attached: but we thought it looked very silly.

Here's Pippin with 12 months tax, after a visit to The Baker's Arms (with integral PO) in Droxford -- looking very smart, I think.



And here he is 75 miles later -- looking very sad, I think.



And here he is 45 minutes later.... :bang:



Still the best car I've ever owned, though. :slayer:

Had a chuckle at the p(h)easant comment, then an out loud laugh at the "still the best car I've ever owned" :nutter::hug:

 

[homeward]

I thought your trip down was bad enough! Given that the driver that hit you had already annoyed other drivers beforehand I'd report him. It might not help your claim but at least he may get a load of grief from his employers, or the police if he owns the truck. I don't think he should be left to think he can drive like that and suffer no consequences whatsoever.

Agreed. Starting to emerge from my usual nice guy routine, and turn into Panda Avengerman! (Just loading the photos of the damage really p*ss*d me off, to be honest.)

The only trouble I had with Pippin not starting was caused by the starter motor, fitting the new one sorted that. When you say the dash lights do you mean the ign. warning light etc?

Yup. None of the usual warning lights came on. But, when they did, the starter was fine. The car then just wouldn't run for more than a couple of seconds -- which, as Palio says, feels like fuel starvation. I just can't see a connection (sorry) between one symptom and the other....

The fuel pump is mechanical so won't affect the electrics. I would have a look at the wires to the alternator, if they are ok then check the ign. switch. It may also be worth checking the hedgehogs, I did connect to the one behind the n/s headlight and it seemed fine.

This sounds like a very sensible plan of action. (You should do this for a living...!?!) May have to be Sunday, though: as tomorrow's forecast is... :yuck:

Might also check the connections to the starter, though, just in case... -- and that front, nearside hedgehog is obviously working, as you say; but the rear, offside one is a bit tarnished.

Give me a call if you need any further guidance.

You, sir, are my hero! :worship:

Perhaps we can start a League of Pandamen: and you can be Superpanda Man! :slayer:

(And I haven't had that whisky yet....)

 

[VmanC]

Unbelievable. :shakehead:

 

[VmanC]

You, sir, are my hero! :worship:

Perhaps we can start a League of Pandamen: and you can be Superpanda Man! :slayer:

(And I haven't had that whisky yet....)

Shall we check that the breakdown wasn't caused by something I did before I buy a cape?

 

[homeward]

Shall we check that the breakdown wasn't caused by something I did before I buy a cape?

Nah! The ignition lock looms large in my sights. I think the fuel problem is unrelated... -- I could be proved wrong, though.... :idea:

 

[onemanmade]

Re: PIPPIN -- the blue 750L (L is for "Low mileage")

Hope you are ok man!

 

[homeward]

Re: PIPPIN -- the blue 750L (L is for "Low mileage")

Nah! The ignition lock looms large in my sights. I think the fuel problem is unrelated... -- I could be proved wrong, though.... :idea:

Hope you are ok man!

I'm actually remarkably fine, thanks!

Just been out, and sat in Pippin -- and it's definitely looking like the ignition is not okay, though. Turn the key carefully, and the dash will light up, and everything work (including the blinding spotlights...!). Other times, nothing. Looks like something may not always be quite making contact. I shall have an investigate, and find out. Hopefully, it will be obvious....

 

[varesecrazy]

What terrible news! Especially after Betty's brand new makeover
Glad you're ok though, thats always the most important thing after an incident.
Hope Pippin' hasn't caught some sort of bug and will be easy to sort too

I second that..

missed all the previous stuff,
but glad you are o.k.,

the actual ignition LOCK should be fine.. but there is a DISC under it that makes all the connections , check that + the wiring onto it,

well worth swapping another battery too if possible..just to rule it out simply..


Charlie

 

[homeward]

Can a mod please change the title of this thread to pippin?!!

I second that..

missed all the previous stuff,
but glad you are o.k.,

the actual ignition LOCK should be fine.. but there is a DISC under it that makes all the connections , check that + the wiring onto it,

well worth swapping another battery too if possible..just to rule it out simply..

Thanks, Charlie.

Funnily enough, a red Punto TA went past me, as I was stood behind the crash barrier on the A34. You must have been wearing a long blonde wig, though...!

Will check the battery, later. I don't know how old it is (unless VmanC changed it: and it doesn't look that old... -- but my brain is a little fuzzy, this morning (for obvious reasons...)): but, until yesterday evening, Pippin's always started (apart from a couple of blips -- which, as Vernon said, was caused by an errant starter (must have caught it from Panto!)) -- really easily. However, I know that appearances can be deceptive, and these things die easily and quickly, sometimes (the Punto one went virtually overnight...).

Looking at the Haynes, I presume, as always, that it's talking rubbish about having to remove the steering wheel to get to the ignition barrel. (It says this about the dashboard cluster, too....)

As far as I remember from other discussions, I think that all I need to do is:

1. remove the shroud (one screw: just behind the stalk assembly, underneath the wheel);
2. take out the ignition barrel retaining screw;
3. put the key in, and "depress the small spring-loaded plunger" (not so sure where this is; or what the Haynes manual is describing -- but I'm sure it'll make sense once I'm sat there...);
4. turn the key to the 'start' position (I take it disconnecting the battery earth would be a good idea, first...?!); and
5. ease the whole lot out.

Have I missed owt...?!

I'm hoping/guessing that there may be a loose connection, or some tarnishing on the contacts: so will clean everything up, thoroughly, before "refitting is a reversal of removal" (which I always thought sounded quite poetic, or said by Confucius...); and seeing if this solves it.. -- and then report back.

By the way, now that Pippin's nearly run in, he did 61.65 mpg on the previous tankful; and managed 75 miles, yesterday, without the fuel gauge dropping one iota...! (That should keep the homewardette's motoring costs down....) What a great car...! :worship:

 

[Didge3]

Re: Can a mod please change the title of this thread to pippin?!!

[*]put the key in, and "depress the small spring-loaded plunger" (not so sure where this is; or what the Haynes manual is describing -- but I'm sure it'll make sense once I'm sat there...);

That'll be the little black button immediately below the barrel I believe, never knew what it was for, now I do :idea:

By the way, now that Pippin's nearly run in, he did 61.65 mpg on the previous tankful; and managed 75 miles, yesterday, without the fuel gauge dropping one iota...!

750 powweerrrrrr :slayer:, I don't think I've ever had less than 45 back from Char' no matter how hard I drive, usually I get about 50 - 54mpg

 

[Palio]

Re: Can a mod please change the title of this thread to pippin?!!

By the way, now that Pippin's nearly run in, he did 61.65 mpg on the previous tankful; and managed 75 miles, yesterday, without the fuel gauge dropping one iota...! (That should keep the homewardette's motoring costs down....) What a great car...! :worship:

That's what you get for travelling 75 miles on the back of a low loader, though it's not very practical day to day! :devil:

 

[homeward]

Re: Can a mod please change the title of this thread to pippin?!!

That's what you get for travelling 75 miles on the back of a low loader, though it's not very practical day to day! :devil:

:nerner:

 

[VmanC]

Re: Can a mod please change the title of this thread to pippin?!!

Thanks, Charlie.

Funnily enough, a red Punto TA went past me, as I was stood behind the crash barrier on the A34. You must have been wearing a long blonde wig, though...!

Will check the battery, later. I don't know how old it is (unless VmanC changed it: and it doesn't look that old... -- but my brain is a little fuzzy, this morning (for obvious reasons...)): but, until yesterday evening, Pippin's always started (apart from a couple of blips -- which, as Vernon said, was caused by an errant starter (must have caught it from Panto!)) -- really easily. However, I know that appearances can be deceptive, and these things die easily and quickly, sometimes (the Punto one went virtually overnight...).

Looking at the Haynes, I presume, as always, that it's talking rubbish about having to remove the steering wheel to get to the ignition barrel. (It says this about the dashboard cluster, too....)

As far as I remember from other discussions, I think that all I need to do is:

1. remove the shroud (one screw: just behind the stalk assembly, underneath the wheel);
2. take out the ignition barrel retaining screw;
3. put the key in, and "depress the small spring-loaded plunger" (not so sure where this is; or what the Haynes manual is describing -- but I'm sure it'll make sense once I'm sat there...);
4. turn the key to the 'start' position (I take it disconnecting the battery earth would be a good idea, first...?!); and
5. ease the whole lot out.

Have I missed owt...?!

I'm hoping/guessing that there may be a loose connection, or some tarnishing on the contacts: so will clean everything up, thoroughly, before "refitting is a reversal of removal" (which I always thought sounded quite poetic, or said by Confucius...); and seeing if this solves it.. -- and then report back.

By the way, now that Pippin's nearly run in, he did 61.65 mpg on the previous tankful; and managed 75 miles, yesterday, without the fuel gauge dropping one iota...! (That should keep the homewardette's motoring costs down....) What a great car...! :worship:

Hold your horses there Stephen, you've got it all a little wrong I'm sorry to say.

What you're describing is the procedure for removing the steering lock barrel, that will not get you to the ign. switch, as varesecrazy suggested.

The ign. switch is at the back of the lock and is only accessible by taking off the steering column cowl, and as Haynes said, you will need to remove the steering wheel to do that. Once the wheel is out of the way you can remove the cowl in conjunction with the column switches. The cowl itself is held on by a screw at the bottom as well as the one under the steering wheel, and the clamp for the switch assy. can be undone through the access hole next to that screw.

 

[VmanC]

The starter motor has been playing up so that was replaced, and the battery was so flat that it wouldn't take a charge. I did try connecting the battery to the charger in parallel with another battery that I knew to be good and that seems to have worked, as after an hour I was then able to start charging the battery on it's own. I'll give it all day tomorrow and see how it is, I am hopeful but if it doesn't work I'll fit a new one.

Remembered this previous post about the battery. In the end it still wasn't any good so I fitted a spare I had. I'm sure it's a good one now but may be worth double checking it if you don't find anything else wrong.