Hi all;

I've seen some similar posts but nothing exactly like the problems I am having-

I have a 2000 felicia 1.3 classic. Last week, a headlamp blew and I replaced it. After this, the lights would flicker- only the headlamps- particularly when slowing down. This was intermittantly, and sometimes it would sometimes they wouldn't. The green headlamp indicator also flickered. I could hear the relay clicking on and off too.

As the week went on, a couple of times, I'd turn the key and nothing- the idiot lights would light up but the starter wouldn't turn. I banged on the fusebox, and it started (trick I learned from owning Ladas).

On Friday, I parked it up, turned it off. Turned it on again just to make sure and it started fine. This morning, nothing. I've switched relays around in the fuse box, and it doesn't seem to make a difference. This afternoon, I've played around with it to no avail.

Also, I have had a rather leaky windscreen, although this is primarily on the drivers side and at the back- not near the fusebox. When I pulled out the relays and fuses, they didn't look overly corroded. The foam under the dash was damp, but not soaking- but it hasn't rained since Friday.

Any thoughts??

Thanks,

Brian

Possibly the voltage regulator playing up, could have caused the original bulb to blow and the flickering.

I hope if it is the regulator that the ecu has not been damaged and thats why the car will not start.

hmmm;

Thanks.... that's kind of what I was thinking but hoping it might be something else. It makes sense though. At least there are tons at the breakers.

Cheers,

Brian

I'm very much afraid I'm thinking regulator, or wet fusebox, too. On the positive side, I suspect the regulator has failed and cut the charge rather than overcharging, for once.

Thanks- I just bought a regulator from ebay- fingers crossed it fixes it.

Cheers,

Brian

Could be two (unrelated) explanations for flicker and start trouble - that the starter occasionally doesn't turn when turning the key could be Felicia's well-known ignition lock/barrell problem. It happens to me say once a month - a second try after removing/reinserting key usually works - and some Felicia owners can testify that the ignition lock can give up completely.

Best long-term solution for leaky windscreen is to fit a new rubber seal.

Hey everyone- here's an update for others that have had the same problem!!

Thanks by the way for the tips-

Today, I received my 18 quid voltage regulator from Jorily and set out to change it- When I took the old one off, the magnets had worn down 1/2". Took all of 90 seconds. (make sure you disconnect the battery first!!!)

Started it up first time- headlamps now work too- before they wouldn't come on.

So, if you have these problems: flickering headlamps- particularly when deceleraing, occasional difficulty starting (no voltage to starter- no click no nothing- just like if you forget to plip the immobiliser)..

... check the voltage regulator- the magnets should be 3/4 inch long and springy. It should 'pop' off when you undo the screws under the tension of the springs. If magnets are too short it won't charge.

....next job is a head gasket methinks- I think the header tank is rather too frothy for my liking.

Thanks again,

Brian

Glad the regulator sorted the problem for you.

Just an update-

Although now it started for a while, the relay kept clicking and the headlamps still flickered after the relay. Then it wouldn't start (again).

I had a poke around the engine wiring harness thinking it must be a bad earth or something.

On the starter, the yellow wire between the harness and the solenoid broke free from the spade connector when I tried to remove it. With a new 10p connector crimped on, the problem went away- started up and no clicking! I don't know why that would affect the headlamps and entire electrical system everything else, but there ya go.

Hopefully the problem is solved for good now.

Just thought I'd share for others with similar issues. It seems its the smallest thing that causes the biggest headache.

-Brian

I had the exact same problem with whole electric thing flickering. I took the regulator off the alternator, cleaned it with electric cleaner spray. Put it back on, and problems are gone! It's sunday, so i can't buy a new one today, but as soon it will start to flicker again, I'll go to a shop and buy a new regulator. Before that I tought the relay will end up in smoke. It was turning on and off like mad.
Thank you wartburg353 WROOOOM!!!

On the starter, the yellow wire between the harness and the solenoid broke free from the spade connector when I tried to remove it. With a new 10p connector crimped on, the problem went away- started up and no clicking! I don't know why that would affect the headlamps and entire electrical system everything else, but there ya go.

The yellow wire connector for the solenoid of the starter is exposed to the elements. It starts to corrode then at one point, from dirt, water and corrosion, the yellow wire gets almost shorted to ground. Relay R7 (X contact relief) is in turn energized due to that short. This relay is responsible for disconnecting all major electric loads (headlights included) at cranking time to protect the battery from overloading. So there you go, no more mystery..

 

The moral is: clean regularly the yellow wire connector. Disconnect it, clean corrosion deposits on both sides with a pick or similar, spray liberaly with WD40 then reconnect.