Hi Helpers - My son bought an old Felicia to travel to uni. It won't start in the wet. The battery seems ok because it turns the engine over quite fast. Also it bump starts very easily. If I tow him it usually starts within a few yards. Also, it almost fires when you turn back from the starter position on the ignition key. We have fitted new plugs and ignition leads, cleaned dist cap. When it doesn't go there is usually a strong smell of fuel. He can't afford to take it in to a garage on his student loan, so anybody got any ideas to try? Thanks

Edited 18 November, 201015 yr by Lynn986

Welcome to Briskoda,

Not sure what the problem could be but sure someone will be able to help.

Hi and welcome aboard.

Hello and Welcome to Briskoda.

Free bump to help another student.

it almost starts when you TURN back from the start position??

It sounds like the ignition switch is the problem. They are a known weakness.

Does your son know anyone who can "Hot wire" a car? Get them to locate the ignition wires and try to start it for you. If it works, a new ignition switch is needed.

PS. For Christmas, buy him the Haynes Manual. it should be the best £20 gift he ever gets.

it almost starts when you TURN back from the start position??

It sounds like the ignition switch is the problem. They are a known weakness.

Does your son know anyone who can "Hot wire" a car? Get them to locate the ignition wires and try to start it for you. If it works, a new ignition switch is needed.

PS. For Christmas, buy him the Haynes Manual. it should be the best £20 gift he ever gets.

Possibly even less , and then a nice set of spanners to make up the difference .

Loads of ignition switch info here :

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/82070-felicia-ignition-switch

And here;

http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/144738-common-issues-and-solutions-with-feliciafavorit-based-vehicles/page__view__findpost__p__2118304

And my 'wedge bodge' is still working fine three plus years later ..

Edited 21 November, 201015 yr by iansmith

Thanks to everybody who responded. It was the ignition switch. He is starting the car with the aid of a screwdriver under the dashboard for now. Hope to do something more permanent when the weather clears a bit. At least I don't have to get up at 5.45 to tow him along the driveway anymore! Thanks again.

By the way I did get him the Haynes manual, a set of tools and a road atlas - nearly doubled the value of the car as he keeps them in the boot!