tigra won't start

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Sat 8 Jan 2005 11:51
tigra won't start - richy
My Mum's 1995 Tigra 1.4 is refusing to start. She's been away over Christmas and the car has'nt moved in about 3 weeks. First time she went to start it and got the ignition lights on the dash but refused to turn over. I suggested she charge the battery, switched the ignition on trying to start it again after a few hours charging and she says it just "clicked" and no lights came on the dash at all. I suggested she check the fuses, one was out but it has been replaced but still nothing happens when turning the key.
She lives a long way away so I can't just pop down the road and give her a hand. Any ideas would be much appreciated.
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Sat 8 Jan 2005 13:18
tigra won't start - Dynamic Dave
Sounds like the battery has had it. Has your mum got a neighbour who can jump start the car for her? Once it's running she can see if the alternator light stays on - which would indicate that is the cause of the flat battery.

If your mum is a member of a breakdown service, ask her if she has homestart (or whatever it's called) on her policy. They'll then come out and *should* be able to diagnose the problem for her.
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Mon 10 Jan 2005 12:50
tigra won't start - richy
Thanks for your help dave.
Have tried to jump start but nothing happens, I'm thinking maybe the immobiliser needs resetting but not sure how to do this on Vauxhalls as the car does'nt have remote locking.
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Mon 10 Jan 2005 13:54
tigra won't start - Dynamic Dave
If the immobiliser is playing up (ie, not recognising the chip in the key), then the ecu light will flash when you try and start the car.

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Mon 10 Jan 2005 21:12
tigra won't start - John S
Plus the immobiliser on vauxhalls doesn't stop the starter motor operating, it just prevents the ECU from operating the ignition and fueling.


JS
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Mon 10 Jan 2005 23:38
tigra won't start - sails north
most likely the battery is bad. if not, its worth checking condition of main earth strap and engine fuses
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Tue 11 Jan 2005 00:18
tigra won't start - Civic8
If the battery is that low. it may prove impossible to recharge..Let alone try starting after recharge..though your point mentioned (A few hours on charge)A trickle charger needs around 12 hours plus to get close to recharging to correct levels.I would do this before worrying about anything else?
--
Steve
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Tue 11 Jan 2005 00:18
tigra won't start - Dynamic Dave
Plus the immobiliser on vauxhalls doesn't stop the starter motor operating,


Things have moved on John. On my Vectra-C the starter motor doesn't work if the wrong key is detected.

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Tue 11 Jan 2005 11:50
tigra won't start - John S
Thanks Dave - perhaps I should have said 'for Vauxhalls of that era'!

Regards

JS
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Tue 11 Jan 2005 12:02
tigra won't start - richy
Dave, John and all thanks again for your help.
She's away again untill Friday, got to borrow my Dad's Scenic for the mean time. Will get her to replace the battery when she gets back. If that fails to work then I have'nt got a clue. I did'nt think of the battery being duff at first cause it had been plugged into a charger for a few hours. Did'nt think a battery could go bad and refuse to charge after 3 weeks being left in a garage, but then the car only gets used on short trips. She does'nt really need it, only bought as a mid life crisis car. But it's a free world as they say...
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Tue 11 Jan 2005 12:33
tigra won't start - Dynamic Dave
Did'nt think a battery could go bad and refuse to charge after 3 weeks being left in a
garage,


It can happen overnight. Most places that sell batteries can also test them. Might be worth while before shelling out.

Talking of shelling out, consider getting a replacement battery from Vauxhall. Cheaper than a lot of people realise, and generally come with a 3 yr guarantee.
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