Slightly less than 2 years ago we had the ignition switch on our 1998 Felicia 1.3 replaced.

The key would turn but the stater motor would not work.

Now it's doing the same thing. Somtimes it'll start but other times it turns all the way but will not start the engine. Turn it back a little and she'll go. However, It sometimes takes 5 or 6 attempts.

My wife uses the car for work. She's avisiting care worker, so lots of stops and starts throughout the day.

Is there anything else likely to be at fault, or have I got to shell out another £240 to have it replaced at the local garage.

Should I budget for a new swicth every 2 years?

Yours, more than a little peeved.

Z.

Does the dash light up at stage 2?

If it does, you could consider a start button. I seem to recall a couple on here have mentioned doing this.

Yes, all the lights come on.

Given what you've said in the OP about the use pattern, does the starter motor turn over but the engine not do so?

If so, then what you probably need is a new ring gear rather than a new ignition switch.

Ken is right. You might need a new flywheel ring gear, or starter motor needs shimming, brushes, etc.

If there is a 'click' coming from the starter when turning key to crank, ignition key is Ok.

As for how long it lasts, a thumb rule says new parts last a lot less than factory parts. After all they are made in China and wrapped in fancy western packages.

There's no sound whatsoever. No clicking from the solenoid, nothing. Then when you fiddle with the key and get lucky she starts instantly as always. I donlt think it;s the strater motor or ring gear as the symptoms are exactly the same as last time.

I've bitten the bullet and booked her into the garage for tomorrow as my wife needs the car for work. Also, we're away for afew days next week. The last thing I want to do is worry about the car starting every time we come to use it.

I'd like to know about the push button starter though. The kits on ebay seem cheap enough and I might well fit one to give the

ignition switch an easier life. Especailly as Mrs Z must start the car 10-12 times a day for 4 days a week.

Anyone fitted one to their car. Do you have to remove the ignition switch to fit it, or can you link into the wiring somewhere

more accessable?

Thanks as always Z.

£240 sounds like the cost for a new ignition lock, which are generally replaced when they jam. You can get the electrical switch part separately for around £20 and it shouldn't take any more than an hour to fit.

About how long it should last: I guess a car lifetime. My ignition switch lasted 14 years on my previous Felicia. I suppose the ignition switch on my current Felicia is 13 years old.

Not sure about it, but does Felicia Immobilizer cut fuel injection, or whole power supply?

Maybe some bad contact could act randomly.

Not too sure by the way you've described it, but it COULD be the relay - worth checking anyway and they're cheap enough to replace.

If when you turn the key nothing happens at all, yet a few tries later it does, check the relay isn't getting too hot or anything. Not too sure though, because I broke down in a wagon at work... When you turned the key, nothing happened at all, but sometimes if you waited for a few minutes, it would fire into life as if nothing was ever wrong.

The fitters had it to bits endless amounts of times and couldn't find anything wrong.

We were sat in Seaham for a about 2&1/2 hours when the bloke from DAF come out, changed the relay and it's never happened since.

Edited 10 September, 201213 yr by Jonesy92

mine has started to play up over the last couple of days, turn the key to start it and sometimes it just makes a clicking noise so i have to get it into the right place before it starts, anyone know what its likely to be?

Most probably is the solenoid switch of the starter.

Of course, if all cables and contacts are good, battery too.

mine has started to play up over the last couple of days, turn the key to start it and sometimes it just makes a clicking noise so i have to get it into the right place before it starts, anyone know what its likely to be?

Most probably is the solenoid switch of the starter.

Of course, if all cables and contacts are good, battery too.

Yep; if it just goes "click", the solonoid is the most likely suspect.

Otherwise see other discussion in this thread about the ring gear and starter relay.

Thanks, can the solenoid be relplaced on its own or would i have to get a new starter motor?

There are separate parts.

See ETKA exploded view and codes below.

This video should help too (except step 3).

Edited 14 September, 201213 yr by adurer