Hi,

the lights aren't working on my 1.9d 2000 Felicia. A couple of days before they went I would have to switch them on a couple of times before they would come on. It's just the headlamps (and fog, I think - couldn't really check those). Main beam aslo gone, but it does flash, and hazards work. Had a very stressful journey back from work in the dark - had to drive with one hand holding the flash beam on and a little bit on the brakes to make the brake lights work ! (needless to say I got a fair few beeps and gestures).

Anyhow, I checked the fuses and they seem ok. I'm guessing it's either the light switch or the relay things near the fuses. Does anyone know how to check if it's a relay? or how to tell which one it is (there are about six in there).

If anyone has come across this before, I would be very grateful for any advice!

Thanks..

The pushbutton for the sidelights burns out on Felicias - I'd look at that as the first thing to check - once you can't turn them on, the rest of the lights won't work either.

It used to be a common well known fault when they were the current model before a lot of owners moved on to newer models.

When I owned mine I always carried a spare one and the few tools to change it as they had a habit of going at the most inoportune moments, such as a nice flowing B-road in the middle of no-where in Lincolnshire in the middle of the night when doing warp speed...

The pushbutton? I'm guessing that's the one in the middle of the instrument panel/fascia. Is it a fixable part, or do I need a new one.

Thanks for replying..!

Yes - the one with the side light bulb marked on it. To get at it you need to remove the black trim aorund the clocks, and the air vents. This brings out the buttons attached to it. To remove the trim you will find there are some hidden screws behind some blanking plates (either end of the switches, behind where the vents are opened and closed, and behind the end of where the fog light switches are on the right). Carefully prise these out with a flat bladed screwdriver, and then under the screws (I think they are philips heads from memory). You then have to carefully unclip the trim from around the rest of the dash. Its not as bad as it sounds. Disconnect the switch from the trim and disconnect the wires. Replace the switch.

If someone can confirm if a fog light switch is easily swappable with a side light switch, I have a spare Fog light switch you can have free of charge as long as you cover the postage. I have been trying to flog on ebay with no luck! The only thing is I don't know if its interchangeable with a sidelight or not??? The wiring might be different.

I don't have an actual foglight switch to hand but the wiring diagram is different to the sidelight switch, so I shouldn't think they are interchangeable. If need be I have a scruffy but functional sidelight switch (among others) going spare.

Following on from above, there is one more screw behind the little panel to the right of the clocks (prise it out from the top). You'll need to disconnect the speedo cable to get the panel fully out too - if you can't pull the panel out far enough to reach behind and unclip it, just undo the cable from the back of the gearbox. Or just yank the panel out really hard, that unclips it too . I can't speak for non-airbag models but if yours has one and like me you have difficulty getting the panel out over the steering column trim, then the steering wheel needs to come off so you can get at the screw that holds the trim on.

I think I'm making it sound harder to do than it really is, too!

Thats a good point Robin. Best not be using a fog light then!!

in terms of removing the dash, last time I did it has to be over 2 and 1/2 years ago (have since owned two Octavia's!) Best go by Robin's description as I'm obviously getting rusty!

Wow- thanks guys! I'll give it a go tomorrow. I'll check in any local scrap dealers to see if they have any Felicias, in internet search on switches seems to be drawing a blank. If there's no joy, I'll put in an offer for anything going spare!

I'm off to print the instructions out... thanks again

Hee hee, I always like the scrapyard option cause you get to practice pulling apart a car that isn't yours . However if you'd rather have a brand spanking new switch you can get one from Jorily for a tenner.

the sidelight switch for a felicia is only £8 from the skoda dealer.. as has already been said, they are well known to fail, i always keep a spare one on board

the sidelight switch for a felicia is only £8 from the skoda dealer.. as has already been said, they are well known to fail, i always keep a spare one on board

Ooh, score! Cheers for the info Tom, at that price I'll pick a new one up for spare myself next time. Part number is 6U0 941 503 for anyone who doesn't have as clued-up and helpful parts people as my local dealer.

I now have fully functioning lights!!

I got a spare from a local scrap dealer. They just handed me a screwdriver and said go and help yourself. Was very straightforeward (with the instructions!) except for getting the actual switch out (that took the brains and finger strength of 3 people).

Because the car was even older than mine, I'll expect the switch to go at any time. So I'll order in the switch - thanks for the advice, the instructions, and the part number.

Wow - I'm so amazed when it actually works!

Pleased to hear you got it working Felicia's are ace little cars - I would go back to one any day

In the year that I've owned my Felicia this has happened to me three times! The last time was after using the headlights only twice. Does anyone know what causes this burnout as something is blowing my light switches WAY too frequently. With your help, I would like to get to the source of the problem.

(FYI, I discovered in an emergency that the hazard warning light switch can replace the headlight switch as it has all the little metal connectors)

In the year that I've owned my Felicia this has happened to me three times! The last time was after using the headlights only twice. Does anyone know what causes this burnout as something is blowing my light switches WAY too frequently. With your help, I would like to get to the source of the problem.

First thing I'd check is that your bulbs are the right wattage - the sidelights, taillights and numberplate lights all draw their power directly through the sidelight switch, as do the dash and radio lighting feeds (do you have an aftermarket stereo?) and the headlight and front foglight relays. Any of these drawing too much current will hasten the demise of the switch contacts, especially since there is no fuse between the battery and the switch when it's in the on position.