Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh!

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Fri 15 Apr 2016 08:48
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Dano141
Hi Guys, first post.

I've read around similar problems on the forum along with other places but cannot conclude with myself what the problem is.

Scenario;

A few weeks ago my car started to sound an internal alarm which isnt very loud and cannot be heard from the outside, this happens when I turned on the ignition and when I turned the ignition off.

at first it sounds quite fast, high-low-high-low-high-low-high-low and repeated for approximately 10 seconds, every now and then I would have trouble turning the engine over, after waiting for a few seconds and trying again, it would turn over and I would be on my way, the starting failure was quite intermittent, few and far between.

This has now changed, 4 days ago the alarm changed from it speedy noise to a slower paces hiiiiiiigh-loooooooow etc which goes for approx 10 seconds.

The car now refuses to start, I can use the Radio/lights/wipers everything, it all feels like it is working fine, but it will not start, I am wondering if the power sounder battery being low would cease the car from starting?

when I turn the ignition, I can hear a faint click but nothing after it, which leads me on to either;

The battery not having enough power to kick it.

Bad earth.

Faulty Starter motor.

Faulty Transponder in the key.

Faulty Ignition Barrel?.

I've had a charger pack thing on the battery for 10 mins but this did not seem to do anything.

one thing I have noticed is that when my lights are off, the dash lights are quite bright, if I put on my side lights/beams then do dim a bit, but I do not feel its significant dimming.

Also, it is an automatic, can this be towed a mile or 2 safely?

I know jack about cars but I have a good understanding of what to look for, unless it is something not easily found!

Any help would be so very appreciated!

Thanks!
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Fri 15 Apr 2016 09:06
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - elekie&a/c doctor

Keep it simple,sounds like the battery is flat or dead

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Fri 15 Apr 2016 09:20
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Dano141

How long should I keep a portable power pack on the battery before trying to start?

Would a Jump start be better?

I can believe it could be the battery as I only drive short journeys as im in Portsmouth which is a relatively small island.

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Fri 15 Apr 2016 09:30
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - elekie&a/c doctor

Best option is to remove battery and charge it off car,How old is the battery?could be the original.If it is,then replace it.

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Fri 15 Apr 2016 13:25
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Dano141

Best option is to remove battery and charge it off car,How old is the battery?could be the original.If it is,then replace it.

I dont know how old it is, Ive had the car for 2.5 months, if the battery is the case then I should be able to jump start it?

Is there a way to determine if the battery is original or not? like an indication of when it was produced or something?

Edited by Dano141 on 15/04/2016 at 13:34

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Fri 15 Apr 2016 13:35
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Cyd

It sounds like your typical drive cycle is designed as a battery killer, so that's probably what it is.

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Fri 15 Apr 2016 13:49
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Dano141

Do you think I would be able to start it by jumping it then? at least id be able to get to halfords or something! :)

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Fri 15 Apr 2016 13:52
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Dano141

Ive been stuck at work since Wednesday! lol

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Sat 16 Apr 2016 12:38
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Dano141

Had a multimeter on the battery and read 12.3 is this alright?

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Sat 16 Apr 2016 13:36
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - RT

That's only about 40% charged.

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Sat 16 Apr 2016 14:38
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Dano141

Right. I've try jumping the starter motor and it kicks over and with Turning the key it does start.

So would you hazard a guess the battery is still the culprit?

Edited by Dano141 on 16/04/2016 at 14:39

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Sat 16 Apr 2016 16:10
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Cyd

So would you hazard a guess the battery is still the culprit?

yes, but check all the connections and earths. 12.3V oc really isn't great. But measuring the oc voltage really doesn't tell you anything about the battery's health other than it's state of charge.

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Sat 16 Apr 2016 18:57
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Dano141

The battery has a little light on it which has a legend that says green is good orange is bad and no light is dead. At the moment it's green.

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Sat 16 Apr 2016 19:44
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - RT

The battery has a little light on it which has a legend that says green is good orange is bad and no light is dead. At the moment it's green.

That's not a reliable guide. Take the car to a good auto electrician - they can carry out a "drop test" on the battery, usually free, which will tell you it's condition - they can also analyse the alternator performance when the engine is running and should be charging.

Edited by RT on 16/04/2016 at 19:46

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Sat 16 Apr 2016 22:34
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Fernando P

A 12v battery has 6 cells each of 2 volts. The green light gauge only functions on one cell and, in your case, it sounds like one of the other cells has shorted and the battery will not continue to operate as it should. You have to face up to getting a new battery if you want your engine to start when you need it to! When charging, a 12v alternator should give an output of ~13.8-14.2 volts, which can (easily) be tested with a multimeter.

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Sat 16 Apr 2016 22:58
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Ian D
Based on the above don't mess around getting the battery tested just replace it, Euro Car Parts click and collect their cheapest one (go to their website and type in your reg number and choose the right battery) and then see where you are, even a battery test will not always identify a duff one
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Sun 17 Apr 2016 07:49
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Dano141

THanks for all the advice so far guys. I can start the car if I bypass the solenoid on the starter. So at least I can get it where I need to.

I just hope it is the battery as I really cannot afford a guess at the moment. Should I try charging it first and getting the voltage right or just replace?

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Sun 17 Apr 2016 14:38
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Ian D
Check all the battery/Earth/solenoid connections and if they are all clean and tight I would change the battery, about £45 from ECP for a Lion one which will be fine. If the battery is the original it will have Vauxhall or AC Delco on it (although of course it could have been replaced with OE one at some point).
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Sun 17 Apr 2016 15:30
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - RT
Check all the battery/Earth/solenoid connections and if they are all clean and tight I would change the battery, about £45 from ECP for a Lion one which will be fine. If the battery is the original it will have Vauxhall or AC Delco on it (although of course it could have been replaced with OE one at some point).

The Vauxhall OE batteries have been variously labelled AC Delco, Delco, Delphi, Go, Vauxhall - all the same batteries underneath AFAIK just a brand change - excellent batteries, but they don't last forever - no lead-acid ones can.

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Mon 18 Apr 2016 14:15
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Dano141

Ive got it booked into a garage for the morning, hopefully its just the battery...

I read this on another forum and I am hoping this is the case lol

"Starter motor - needs high current and doesn't care much about voltage

Computer - needs correct voltage and doesn't draw much current

With a modern car and a weak battery you can get into a situation where the "voltage drop" during high drain cranking causes voltage to drop below a minimum acceptable level. Below this minimum acceptable level the computers can refuse to operate and throw up any number of error messages, even though the engine cranks and starts!!

Car electrics are a mysterious thing."

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Mon 18 Apr 2016 18:33
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Fernando P

"Car electrics are a mysterious thing" - not to those who have tried to help you here!

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Mon 18 Apr 2016 22:33
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Mr.G

hi, you say its an automatic?.. its worth checking the inhibitor switch, which in most vehicles is under the plastic cowling at the gear stick, try bridging that out .. its there to prevent u starting it while its in gear/drive..worth a check.. before you pay for it to diagnosed/repaired by garage.. hope that helps,

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Mon 18 Apr 2016 22:38
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Mr.G

P.s.. if it fails to turn, try pressing the brake pedal, knocking gear stick back n forth through the gears before returning to park keeping brake pedal depressed and then try cranking.. with a bit of luck, if it is a temperamental inhibitor switch, that might work.

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Tue 19 Apr 2016 11:08
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Dano141

I will have a look tonight, Ive put it in the garage for today just so I can get a clear answer (if that is at all possible!!).

His first impression was that it could be the immobiliser cutting the power to the starter motor, but he will hook it up to diagnose it, he is a decent guy ive heard and I only went to him on his reputation which is good I hear.

Once I have it back, if there is no end in sight! I will try your suggestion, its so weird though as when bypassing everything and starting the starter motor via direct feed to the battery, it starts and drives like a brand new car.

I believe this will be the last Automatic I buy as seems that every Automatic I've owned become riddled with problems lol.

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Tue 19 Apr 2016 21:09
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Mr.G

i,ve got a hunch its that. as u say putting ignition on and bridging starter motor out starts n runs it.. that rules out ya battery and starter motor .. if theres no engine light on when it is runningthat should rule out any sensors required for start up if theres no faults logged... If your car is in drive, it prevents u cranking engine as to prevent any accidents that may occur. So even if your gear stick is in park or neutral the switch may be faulty/jamming making the car think its in a gear thus preventing you from cranking engine.. Good luck anyway!!

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Wed 20 Apr 2016 08:22
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Dano141

Thanks for all of the advice guys, my mechanic had success.

After investigatory work, turns out it was the cable from the fuse box which is connected to the starter motor, seems it was old and in need of replacement as the immobiliser thats in the car was an aftermarket one, he changed the cable for it all and vroom away I went.

cost £96 does that sound reasonable?

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Fri 22 Apr 2016 04:04
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Ian D
Glad you got it sorted, £96 sounds reasonable, 1.5 hours labour plus a few quid for parts seems fine
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Fri 22 Apr 2016 08:07
Vauxhall Astra 2006 1.8 - Car will not start! argh! - Dano141
Glad you got it sorted, £96 sounds reasonable, 1.5 hours labour plus a few quid for parts seems fine

Ah good, he was highly recommended by a friend but I was unsure, the mechanic is quite a character, he is really like a hillbillycowboy looking guy who sells moonshine from the back of the garage lol.

and he laughs like one too... was brilliant, ill be using him from now on lol.

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