Technical Will not start!

[edessex]

Hi guys, I bought a 1989 Panda 4x4 a few months ago, to replace my 1991 Panda Dance which was stolen and torched (RIP).

It was used quite heavily off-road, and just about everywhere is full of mud! It was apparently a runner when I agreed to buy, but when I went to collect the guy could not get it started, but we agreed on a lower price and I still bought it.

Its been sitting down the end of my drive, as I have not had the time so far to work on it properly.

I cannot get it started. The battery is not an issue, it is dead but I jump using another car, and I have changed the starter motor. I know the replacement starter motor works, but I did not connect the leads and then try it before fitting properly. However when I put a jump lead directly onto the positive (bypassing the solinoid) nothing happens. I'm sure the engine turned over by hand when I got it (not seized).

Any suggestions to what it could be, or what I should try?

I would love to get it running and on the road!

Cheers guys.

 

[panda1408]

I would bump start it to get it running. Then you know that everything else is ok. I'm not sure about the starter though sorry.

 

[the stig/130]

check the earth lead, body to engine, put a decent battery on, tighten the leads to the solenoid, is the switch lead connected? check for a spark at the plugs, petrol in the tank? you say the starter works? cambelt ok? firing order right?

 

[edessex]

Cheers guys, was a bad earth. Put a jump lead from the batt neg terminal to the engine yesterday and it fired up!

It was getting dark so I didn't have the chance to look around for the earth wire, but at least I know that is the problem!

I would have tried bumping it, but the gearbox linkages are worn really bad, I wasn't even sure if it could select gears!

It looks like I have some other wireing to do in the engine bay as well!

Hopefully I will get it on the road soon! Unfortunately I have to get rid of my crashed astra (just going on ebay now), and fix my Pug 205 (as it failed its MoT) first!

 

[panda1408]

Good to hear you got it going

 

[purple haze]

Always the simple things to fix a prob...

 

[urchin]

the lead runs from the battery to a bolt under the coil on the bulk head and then to one of the bell housing/ starter motor bolts it usuals breaks under the coil.

 

[Pandarus]

Dodgy earth seems to be a common fault for us Panda owners!