I had fun on Saturday. I thought I would take my car down to the garage I had the exhaust fitted, as I thought it was blowing. I went to start my car, and all that happened was the ignition lights came on - nothing at all, the same when I did it again, and the third time it started. Fine I thought, went to the garage, and they were too busy to look at the car. By that point I thought it was ok - as it didn't seem to be so loud

I did a few other jobs, and then another time I went to start the car it did the same again, except this time I held the key and then it started! I spoke to another garage and they reckoned it was the ignition switch.

I got home, and decided to check the water level as it had dropped a few weeks ago. I opened the bonnet, and there was nothing in the expansion tank. I had a look around the engine, and couldn't see anything at all, which made me think about the head gasket. My dad then said have a look at the radiator and sure enough there was a damp patch at the bottom! I tried contacting my usual garage but they too were too busy - so dad said put some Rad Weld in. So I went off, put some in (only cost £4.49) when I was thinking I needed a new radiator! I took it for a run, and sure enough, no water loss

Later I realised the right speaker at the front wasn't working :(. I checked the connections at the head unit and the speaker, which were all ok. I tried it on the radio and it worked fine, so it was just the cd changer not working right. Turns out its the cable, so I m chasing one up with a parts shop in town. I ripped the old one out of the car (which I had laid under the interior)

By the time I finished this lot it was dark, and I was cold! What a great way to spend Saturday! Im trying to save for something new as it is, so was a bit annoyed when all of this went wrong!

I believe that the ignition barrel is quite a common thing to fail on the felicia.

The contacts wear out i think... could be a new barrel jobbie!! But try and get access to it and have a look... i believe there was a bodge fix that was succesful by another user...

I believe that the ignition barrel is quite a common thing to fail on the felicia.

The contacts wear out i think... could be a new barrel jobbie!! But try and get access to it and have a look... i believe there was a bodge fix that was succesful by another user...

The barrel with key is just shy of £60 from the dealer calibrated. Roadside rescue cars dismantled by skospares.com for all your skospares will get you a secondhand one with key for £30ish i believe but you will need to calibrate it.

The ignition barrel is something that is a particular issue on the 1.6 for some reason.

The switch part is availabe separatley from the lock part, it is held on with two grub screws. You could try rigging a test lamp to the starter solenoid wire and get an assistant to operate the switch, if it lights up each and every time and on some occasions the starter doesn't work, then the fault is likely to be the starter motor.

I believe that the ignition barrel is quite a common thing to fail on the felicia.

The contacts wear out i think... could be a new barrel jobbie!! But try and get access to it and have a look... i believe there was a bodge fix that was succesful by another user...

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/felicia-fun-forman/felicia-ignition-switch/89459/#post1026847

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/felicia-fun-forman/felicia-ignition-switch/89459/#post1038630

Ive just lately had the same symptoms as you.

And yours Maybe a flat battery, Ive just got a new one after renewing the alternator belt:O, which yours may may just need tightening &/or renewing, mine was getting tatty looking:eek:.

Cold frosty weather and on with the heater fan full blast and the back window demister ,which will certainly take the battery juice.

You need a good battery to take it and a good charge from the alternator.

Cheers for the replies - I am going to see how the ignition switch goes. If it starts playing up on a regular basis then I will look into replacing / or alternatives.

As for the radiator, again its going to be a test of time. If any one is scrapping a 1.6 Felly and wants to sell me a radiator first - I would be very grateful.

You should be able to get a new radiator from a motor factor for £40-50 i would have thought

I m trying not to shell out too much on mine now, I am saving hard for a new car - Octavia probably (no offence everyone with Felicia's including me!) though I fancy more poke, and something bigger to tow with. I spent about £1000 in all running the car last year, so I think its time to move on. I will see how well the radiator does with this rad weld stuff in it - if it does go before spring time then I will need to replace, otherwise I will try and get away with it!

Skoda Felicia 1.6 Radiator-BRAND NEW!! on eBay, also, Skoda, Car Parts, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 16-Jan-08 16:31:59 GMT)

tempting?

You can even get an ac model if you look hard enough

On a slightly related note a girl I know is having similar starting issues on her 02 plate Clio

I dont know how much I've spent on my car but most has been on fuel and insurance.

Thanks guys, I might consider that radiator on Ebay. I will see how mine goes over the next few weeks, all being well it might be alright until I trade in the car.

The starting issue - so far - has been ok, and hasn't reared its ugly head. Intermittent problems are the worst!!