HelpI have a ‘97 1.9 Felicia Diesel. For a while now I've been having problems with starting my Felicia. The ignition light doesnt always come on - it does sometimes and then the car starts fine but is not reliable. Someone said it might be a problem with the glow plug relay or modulator. I replaced the relay and this did not help. A VW garage quoted me £200+ for the modulator (which I cant afford and is worth more than the car I think!). So I got a modulator from a scrap Felicia for £20. All was OK for a week or so and then the problem started again. The glow plugs were replaced about 5 years ago. Would replacing them again help? Not sure what to do ….Any advice ???

What do you mean by ignition light? Battery light? Does the car turn over or do you get nothing? Are the glowplugs getting power?

Hi thereby ignition light I mean the glow plug light that should come on then go off before it starts...Yes the car turns over. I dont actually know if the glow plugs are getting power...Thanks

Actually I assume the glow plugs are getting power as it does start sometimes...

is there any power to the glowplugs when it wont start?

change then engine temp sensor, it really sounds like a "hot start " problem i had the same prob, cost bout £10 and i'm using a 1.3 petrol sensor as it works better, also used a diesel treatment and i was away! try it sounds very very very much like it!, leme know what happens

OK, I just read up about "hot starting" and I dont think this is the problem, as the car hot starts OK (when the engine is warm and in this instance the glow plug light doesnt come on). The problem is when the car is cold - the glow plug light doesnt always come on and the car doesnt start.

How do I check if the glow plugs are getting power when this happens?

Hi, My glow plug light doesnt always come on, I sometimes have to turn the ignition on and off two or three times to get it to activate. I also had the warm start issue. I now have a temp sensor bypass switch fitted - a bodge, but solved the problem for £2. Try with the temp sensor wiring plug disconnected, it will cost nothing.

....for checking if the glow plugs are getting power you can use a multimeter / 12v test bulb, or 1st just see if they are hot - a drop of water will tell you if any of the individual plugs are duff. If they are all cold you will need at least test light to confirm the issue is no power is getting through.

http://briskoda.net/forums/felicia-fun-forman/intermittant-diesel-pre-heat-light/96389/

Thanks Mr Butter! I wil try the temp sensor bypass switch - a mechanic did suggest that but my garage said they would not do it. I shall DI myself! Thanks!

sounds to me like your car dont like being cold, an if i recall correctly alot of members felicia didnt like the cold in the winter. mine used to do exactly what your sayin but now its warmed up starts every time so it could be something simple like battery or alternator?(not sayin alternator simple problem but least you would know what was wrong ) i dont always trust some garages. some make problems out of nothin just to get money out of you ( i get it all the time)

good luck cheers