Hi there!

Sorry that my first Post is a tech help one:(

I have a 1998 (Chromegrille goodness) Felicia 1.3i which is having issues starting.

Turn the ignition on and get dash lights, but no go..

Car will start with a push, so i'm thinking starter motor BUT, the steering lock doesnt go on anymore and the barrel feels different -no "clunk" when you take the keys out..

any ideas?

Thanks

Neil

The barrel has started coming apart, very common problem. Requires a new ignition barrel.

The barrel has started coming apart, very common problem. Requires a new ignition barrel.

oh bugger:thumbdwn: thanks for that-that was our initial conclusion-

dealer said

Scrap yard maybe? If you could get the whole column would make life easier. But could well be in the same boat a few months down the line. Plus you would have a different key and still need to get it coded.

Scrap yard maybe? If you could get the whole column would make life easier. But could well be in the same boat a few months down the line. Plus you would have a different key and still need to get it coded.

yeah I had toyed with that Idea, but as you say-a scrapyard barrel is an unknown quantity...

I just cant believe its that expensive for fitting- I mean, the car cost

It depends on the labour rate. Its not hard to work out. We charge £89 + VAT per hour (very expensive in my view). But if the job takes an hour and a half to remove the column, chisel off the shear bolts, replce the barrel and lock assy, refit and then code after getting the security code from Skoda then thats how its worked out.

yeah I know what you're saying, and main dealer prices for labour are always higher than independant, just trying to justify whether spending the cash is worth it...

Pity I just cant fit it myself really.

Well, wouldnt ya know it...

The dealer mis diagnosed the problem! They wanted either £154 for a new starte motor, or £254 for an new Ignition barrel and fitting, but...

the local auto electrician I use did some tests and discovered a break in the wire linking the ignition barrel to the starter-

one new wire and another (not wonky:-)) earth for the fusebox, and she starts off the key again!

total cost?

£25.

So what about the fact the steering lock wasnt working and the key felt odd?

So what about the fact the steering lock wasnt working and the key felt odd?

those things still exist, but car starts of its own free will now-so can put up with the lack of steering lock:)

I had a ignition barrel go on mine, and by the looks it is atleast the 2nd one on this car to be fitted, my steering colum will not lock.... never has from new, i am interested into this now as I fear the lock may bust again, also the airbag is faulty again for the second time in the 3 years i have had it.... again this to me now say BIG PROBLEM.... if Lummox could shed some light on this i will be greatful

Also I had to pay

airbag lights usually relate to battery charging issues

ignition locks are problematic, leave them inop at your peril. Sooner or later the whole thing will collapse meaning you cant start the car.

My mate put the vagcom kit on it, cleared the light and I went on my merry way after the MOT Got 2 miles away just getting onto the A303 and the light came back on.... it has been like it for 6 months now (VAGCOM was done 1 week ago), will this still idicate battery issues, if so what is the best course of action??? If it is the airbag I will take the light out, as I can not justify

What was the fault?

I will have him check it again and give code to me, I will tell ya then Thanks

Q

:eek: I'd be very worried about driving a car with a steering lock fault......imagine the consequences of the lock jamming up while driving along. I daresay a locked up steering column when driving is bad for your health!!!

I was about to post a thread on a very similar topic, so I'll tag onto the end of this one as it's so similar. About a week ago, my ignition barrel (P plate Felicia, so security code or anything) apparently had a spring go in it, because when I turn to start the engine, it will just keep running the starter motor unless I manually turn it back to the normal driving position.

The reason I found it similar to this thread is the strange feel of the lock (sort of loose), and that once (only once) the steering lock didn't engage. Putting the key back in and taking it straight back out sorted it, so it looks like something fairly minor.