Hi everyone

I'm new to this forum, just found it by chance today on google , as i've got a problem with a 1997 1.3 LXi MPI Felicia.

Put the key in this morning and engine not starting , all usual lights come on on dash, all electrics work, but engine doesnt turn over, no clicking sound either from solenoid, but not sure weather its this or possibly a relay or something else as not experienced on ignition system on these cars.

Has any one any advice as to where to start ? i was going to go for the relay first ( cheapest option ) and go from there. My try bump starting the car when i get home to make sure i can get it to start ... what do you think ?

Hope someone can help ... sorry for introducing myself with a problem and not just a polite HELLO

By the way 'Hello Everyone'

Thanks

Kind Regards

Stuart

Ive seen batteries flat enough to not even click the solenoid but light up lights, might be very worthwhile bump starting it and giving it a drive round then see what happens. I would be checking battery \ chargeing related problems before I checked relays etc.

The actual Ignition switch on you Felicia is a high possibility, I have had one fail it gave symtoms like a starter motor/solenoid/battery issue i.e just a click or non at all from solenoid. after changing the starter motor the fault returned. It got worse until no click from solenoid when turning the key. Switch was High resistance and breaking down with current drawn by solenoid- burnt contacts inside.

Your issue is most likely to be either, wiring fault feeding solenoid (poor conection or lead drpped off), ignition switch, or starter solenoid (not a service part is part of starter motor)

The solenoid is fed direct from ignition switch.

Try turning the key a bit further round when trying to start- a bit more pressure when it hits the stop - (this was how mine ended up - i.e nothing on a normal turn a bit harder and contact was made)

Thanks for all your advice on what to check ...

Stopan1j ... i tried the ignition key trick but to no avail this , but one to remember for the future , thanks for your advice

ugluk ... thanks for your help too , it was indeed the battery that caused my problem like you said , i bumped started the car and left it running for about 30 mins and all ok now , BTW i did check the battery voltage when i first looked at the fault and it was reading 12.5 volts , so i guess this is no indication, i should have checked the current in the battery , but at the didnt have the time on initial investigation.

Thanks for the advice

Kind Regards

Stuart

a healthy charged battery gives out 14.5volts for future information 12.5 is dead as a door nail .

a healthy charged battery gives out 14.5volts for future information 12.5 is dead as a door nail .

A battery WILL NOT have 14.5v accross teh teminals without engine running and alternator "excited" - I believe you are talking about alternater charging voltage - A car battery accross the teminals will supply 12.5v ish (6 cells each supplying just a fraction over 2 volts). Voltage is not really an indication of battery condition its the current that its able to supply.

hello again

Further to my initial problem , it seems things are not quite what they seem...

Car still starts ok and runs fine , BUT last night was driving home when the head lights started flashing on and off ( dipped beam) , also the headlight indication on the instrument binacle flashed on and off at the same time, also heard a clicking or arcing sound coming from the passenger footwell area, like a rely clicking on and off but very very quickly, this got worse the higher the engine revved. I pulled over and stopped and the problem went away , even revving the engine in neutral didnt make the problem come back , but as soon as i set off again, it reoccured getting worse as i went along my journey, but as i coasted down hills etc ( ie no engine load ) the problem went away... Does this look like a problem with the alternator / charging circuitry ?

Sorry to ask for help again

Thanks in advance

Regards

Stuart

Passenger footwell - this is where the fuse box/ relay panel is fitted probably either a loose main feed nut securing the main battery lead to the board or printed circuit / relay connection fault

also forgot to mention ... shes not starting again !!.. same symptoms as before

will check the connections to the main board etc as advised ,

thanks again

Stuart

ps battery also on charge at the mo

I'd take it to a garage honey! My Felicia wouldn't start when I first bought it...gave the baby a service and they found the problem was inlet manifold pressure sensor terminals corroded. Cleaned up and it has sort of been ok, but still doesn't like damp weather and coughs & splutters if I go through a puddle. Think I'll just keep it for the summer, then get rid and someone else can have the joy of getting it to start....unless someone out there has some magic solutions..bit of a crap engine 0 to 60? in my dreams, makes me laugh that the speedo goes up to 120mph!! xx:cool:

Susie why didnt you repond sooner , since you did ... problem solved

I cant make the problem reoccur !!! and i havent done anything to the car

Thanks babe

Stu

Glad you're wagon's righted it's self, prehaps it's another car that likes the warmer weather!

Mine got me to Cornwall & back this weekend, I got it up to 80 mph & even over took a couple of cars..things are looking up!

Happy Easter

x

Fingers crossed all has been ok

Hope you had a good time in Cornwall Susie, over taking cars and doing 80mph !!

I'm impressed , bit of tweaking and that 120mph speedo may become useful LOL

Happy Easter to you too

Stu x