Lancia Motor Club

Been using the fulvia all week as usual without a problem, went to start it this morning and wondered why it wasn't firing then realised there were no dash lights on, I've checked fuses and had a look behind dash for loose wires and so on but can't find anything disconnected, any ideas what else to check ? It has never missed a beat during driving so it's suddenly gone while parked in the garage. 
Tony.

Generally one fuse (cant remember which one - No 7?) but it happened to me on my 1.3 after a run out to dinner in the country. I called the AA but then started thinking. Engine died but panel lights were also off.

Found the culprit and was on our way before AA man got to his van.....

Tim

Almost unbelievably my Zagato has started doing exactly the same thing!  I think it is something to do with the wiring circuit around the starter motor as it did it twice in the last week and a quick fiddle with the connections had it sorted I just need to sort exactly what it was.

The problem may well be the fuse #1 (first on the left) or its contacts. Try to replace it and carefully clean to bright metal the fuse metal housing, making sure the contacts are firm. Good luck, Andrea

If the No 1 fuse contacts are not the problem ( a common fault), the next thing to consider is the ignition switch. Often the little carbon contacts stick and although the starter turns there is no ignition circuit.
Give the key a good wiggle to try and free it before taking it apart.

Thanks for all the pointers, will have a go at it tonight and let you know how I get on.
Tony.

Well the saga continues, having left the car until this week when I decided to push it out of the garage to find the problem with one last try, the ignition light came on and it started, used it without fail half a dozen times got in it this morning and nothing ! checked all the fuses and connections, also given the ignition switch a good wobble and checked it's connections and still nothing, no ignition light, hanbrake light or dash instruments work yet the motor turns over ? I think it's time for the auto electrician !   

could the battery be completely dead this time by complete coincedence?went and had a new one fitted to Sachas car last week and having pulled up in halfords carpark turned the ignition back on and the old battery didnt even bring the dash warning lamps on.at least we got the last drop out of that one!

Just gone out again and it's all come on and started, the strange thing is the temperature has gone up and it has been hot the last couple of days, could be a contact expanding in the heat? The battery is fairly new.

Do you have a good connection on the battery?  I had a similar problem on the Lybra, where it would start ok for a while then nothing.  This was just after I had replaced the battery.  The AA came out and cleaned the battery terminals then put some petrolium jelly on them and tightened the connections.  I haven't had a problem since.

long shot this one;is there any chance that somebody in the past has fitted a concealed security device/iscolator switch which is playing up?

Look, if the engine is turning over, battery is fine.

My money is on the fuse or wiring related to it directly in the fuse box area.

Get a voltmeter to check for 12v either side of fuse 9 (left most) with ignition on. This feeds panel lights, gauges, and coil. Clean fuse contacts. do you have 12+volts - this could explain odd reading of temperature gauge.

Check all terminals on starter motor for a fracture of a thickish red feed wire.

Tim

tried it all day and came on every time, definatley problem with far left fuse and or wiring to and from, will check with voltmeter in morning to get to the bottom of this. Thanks for all your ideas.
Tony.

For what it is worth, I think the fuse is a common problem.

I had also experienced the problem with the ignition switch as described - intermittent and very annoying! So if not the fuse that would be my next most likely bet.

It's the ignition switch, do we send them away to get them refurbed, I dont want to put a secondhand one in and go through this again.



 

Try Omicron. Or put a call out in Spares wanted for a s/h ignition switch. Maybe another one will not have this problem but you will recognise it immediately should it happen again!

They also turn up on ebay....

Tim

8 years i have had my 1600HF, in all that time i have replaced the battery once. I have been reading about this ignition light problem, thinking the HF has always started after being in hibernation over various winters. i last used the car about 3 weeks ago no problems , put away in garage, went to collect car today , booked for MOT tomorrow, blow me no ignition light and failed to fire, spun over twice no problem, but failed to start. Ah Ha, me thinks, lets go for the fuse on the left, took out cleaned, still the same, but the next trick nearly caught me out, with ignition on the light came on as it should, but when key turned to the start position, it just went click, it had been turning over fine 15 mins before, playing around with various fuses etc, the electric pump was running slower than normal, then all of a sudden, the pump got faster and the ignition light got brighter,still would not turn over just the click, verdict, put the jump pack on and it started straight away. Battery failure in the matter of 15mins ,drove home the 4 miles no problems, switched off went to start again, click. so there you have it a battery can fail that quickly, and can send you round the houses looking for a not so obvious fault. Halfords tomorrow with the trade card. Strange things batteries!

Went to drive to work today, only 7 miles of great welsh roads ;) started car with jump pack started first turn as it always does, warmed and set off, got about 500 yards, then we had misfires no power, managed to find somewhere to pull off road, still kept it running but noticed pump was struggling to pump enough fuel to keep carbs full, anyway coaxed into work with lowish revs, put new battery on and drove to MOT with no problems, Passed again, with nothing needing doing ;D Sadly, next year i think we will be doing some long awaited bodywork  :( but the car deserves it, as its been so reliable over the 8 years of owning it, up and down motorways, to various Great Northen Weekends and AGMs, and just enjoying the car with the great Fulvia roads around here. 8), so there you have it,  battery it was  :)