Astra wont start ?
Discussion
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
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
Check battery voltage. Ignition on, hold the settings button until you hear a beep, now press BC button to cycle through information, voltage will be one of them. Watch when attempting to start too. Wouldn't be surprised if its a dead battery.
You could check with a multimeter too of course.
ETA: just saw last message, worth checking the voltage anyway, past that its going to be a case of getting it to a garage
You could check with a multimeter too of course.
ETA: just saw last message, worth checking the voltage anyway, past that its going to be a case of getting it to a garage
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.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.
Never assume that just because a battery isn't that old that it isn't the problem. Especially with modern electronically complex cars.
Fully charge the battery with a battery charger & see what happens. Rules it out if nothing else.
If that doesn't produce an improvement try connecting a jump lead from battery earth terminal to a good clean point on the engine. See what happens.
Fully charge the battery with a battery charger & see what happens. Rules it out if nothing else.
If that doesn't produce an improvement try connecting a jump lead from battery earth terminal to a good clean point on the engine. See what happens.
Edited by paintman on Sunday 21st May 18:36
Still could be a flat battery. Lights left on?
More importantly, if he has left something in the cigarette lighter, it will continue to draw power. The cigarette lighter in the Astra H is always live, even when the key is out of the ignition and the car is locked. A day with a phone charger or similar could have flattened it enough that the dash will light up but it won't turn over
More importantly, if he has left something in the cigarette lighter, it will continue to draw power. The cigarette lighter in the Astra H is always live, even when the key is out of the ignition and the car is locked. A day with a phone charger or similar could have flattened it enough that the dash will light up but it won't turn over
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.It's getting trailered back today and in Top Gear style he gets the C1 to use until it is fixed.
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