Vauxhall astra van diesel 01

[Mi fatlip]

My astravan wont start. I turn the key nothing there, charge in battery because dash lights work as well as headlights and interior lights works, but nothing there when turning key not even usual click when alternator goes

[GreenV8S]

Doubt the alternator has anything to do with it.

If the battery is OK I'd suspect a problem with the starter solenoid, or the wiring to it. (If you have an alarm fitted, that would be a good place to start looking.)

[Mi fatlip]

I meant starter motor, I will check wiring.
when it happened I parked up and only went in to shop, when I came out turned key nothing

[battered]

OK, usual checks. Do you have a multitester to check the battery is giving 13V or better?

[S0 What]

A well charged battery will show 12.6 to 12.8, not 13v and deffo not over 13v unless the engine is running, you need to make sure you get 12V at the starter exciter wire on the solenoid when the key is in the cranking pos and there is 12V at the thick wire on the starter, if yes to both the starter is borked or there is an issue with the main earth, if no live is found at the exciter wire i would check for the same at the ign switch, if no at the ign switch the switch is borked, if yes then you have a wiring issue probably.
try those and get back to us

[Mi fatlip]

bought battery brand new February, hope it is, it has 3yrs warranty.
all lights work, headlights etc. I've not yet had time to check wiring to and from starter motor, it was dark when I got home

[Petrolhead_Rich]

GreenV8S said:

Doubt the alternator has anything to do with it.

If the battery is OK I'd suspect a problem with the starter solenoid, or the wiring to it. (If you have an alarm fitted, that would be a good place to start looking.)

unlikely to be the issue here as his lights work, but I have had an alternator fail with a dead short resulting in an instant total loss of power, so although the OP meant starter motor, an alternator CAN cause a dead car!