Astra wont start ?

[J4CKO]

My eldest just called me from the depth of North Wales where he is at college, his car, a 2008 Astra SRi is not starting, battery ok, dash lights up but just gibberish, any ideas that dont involve smart arse comments about Vauxhalls ?

RAC due soon but just after some ideas of what it may be, I told him to try disconnecting the battery which he did to no avail ? I work in IT so it was worth a try

[J4CKO]

Willy Nilly said:

Won't turn over or won't fire?

Wont turn over or do anything, seems electrical.

[J4CKO]

It had a new battery last year when he got it as it was marginal.

[J4CKO]

Mercury00 said:

J4CKO said:

It had a new battery last year when he got it as it was marginal.

That doesn't mean it isn't flat.

True but it started fine when he drove back to college from Wilmslow, a 45 mile drive on a warm day so unless its an Alternator problem it should be fine.

Always something, the washer conked out today as well, up to my elbows in soapy water and worn carbon brushes, £7.95 and all should be well on that one though !

Merc diags at the end of the week, hopefully only the air suspension pump.

[J4CKO]

RAC saying it is an ECU problem, tried all the usual stuff, battery ok apparently.

[J4CKO]

angels95 said:

It doesn't have the Easytronic gearbox, does it? They tend to do this a lot.

Nope, just a slightly obstructive manual !

[J4CKO]

Mr2Mike said:

J4CKO said:

RAC saying it is an ECU problem, tried all the usual stuff, battery ok apparently.

Unlikely, unless it's become self aware and is suffering from depression.

Having done some reading it does sound possible it is the ECU as it seems it sits on top of the engine and gets slowly roasted over the years.

It's getting trailered back today and in Top Gear style he gets the C1 to use until it is fixed.

[J4CKO]

Well, RAC couldnt start it, it arrives back on a low loader and sure enough, dead as a doornail.

Not sure what we did but it started,

Battery off for 5 mins.
Tried the spare key
Removed the ECU connectors and re-seated

Starts on the next turn of the key,

Had got my eldest to try the battery thing, but maybe leaving it off helped.

Reseating things often helps in computers so I thought why not.

No stored codes to go on.

Now starts on both keys ?

He is away until Friday so will go and try it, take it round the block and just see if it re-occurs.

Edited by J4CKO on Monday 22 May 19:45

[J4CKO]

morgrp said:

Get rid while the going is good

That subject has arisen

I actually quite like the thing but he is now aiming for a change, he was anyway but he now can justify it to his mum a bit more easily.

[J4CKO]

Started fine this morning, have used it for work, actually quite good fun, feels pretty old school, only 140 bhp but goes ok, handles pretty well, feels like late nineties rather than 2008.

[J4CKO]

Got a mobile mechanic out who read the codes with his Delphi system, U2105 CAN-Bus No Communication with ECM (Engine Control Module)

So, any suggestions ? send the ECU away to get redone ?

[J4CKO]

Blerk, ECU sent off for repair, no fault found !

So, back to square one, what else can it be, suggestions please ?

Am thinking earths ?

What else can it ?