Vauxhall/Vectra starting problems

[Aussie Vectra]

Hey guys,
I am having issues with my 2003 Vectra 3.2L 6 cyl. The car was intermittently not starting, particularly in cold weather. My duaghter was throwing hot water on the engine (advised by a mechanic...). This worked for a while and as long as the car was driven daily it worked fine. I thought the starter might be on it's way out and because of the position I organised a mechanic to replace it. When I spoke to him about the issue remaining he told me he tested the wiring to make sure the starter was getting the right amount of power. I am concernes that the hot water has damaged the ECU. Any thoughts?

[Zak33]

get a new mechanic for advice to your daughter?

[Zak33]

starter motor - does it turn? is it turning slowly? does it work like a dream with jump leads on from a running car?

what I am getting at is- a starter motor is normally relatively clear... it turns or is doesn't turn.

Starting issues are more often related to ignition/fuel supply when the starter is turning.

I hate to be stating the bleeding obvious but it might need a new battery?

[circuitmonkey]

I hate to be stating the bleeding obvious but it might need a new battery?

This

9 times out of 10 starting issues when its cold means that battery isn't able to provide enough power to cold crank. There's a reason why certain car parts resellers buy in batteries in bulk in the autumn

[Zak33]

especially on the V6 .. it's a heavy engine to crank over

[Jonj1611]

New battery

[MrNeil]

I had the same issue with my Signum ! All the same symptoms you had ! I got it jump started and took it to a garage where before i replaced the battery they gave it a test only to find all was okay with it .
Never replaced the battery and only gave it a run around for half an hour . Not a problem ever since and that was two weeks ago !

Good luck anyway matey!

[Xlucine]

Have you tried upgrading the RAM?

[ik9000]

Have you tried upgrading the RAM?

oh ho ho chuckles. Go back to your PC thread. Sounds like battery to me. As for pouring hot water over the engine. W.T.F.???

[chinf]

Perhaps they're in Ireland and it's holy water?

[Jace007]

Tried Ctrl+Alt+Delete Some times does the trick lol

When you do get it started & drive it does it shake/judder if so its the alternator, ifs the issue is only on starting most likely its the battery.

Five Warning Signs Your Battery Is Dead or Dying

1) Your engine cranks but doesn't start.
2) No crank, no start, no lights!
3) One day it starts fine, then next day it won't.
4) Cold cranking is hard work.
5) You've jumped it a lot already.

Another thing during the Cold times Check your battery Connections, if they are loose, corroded, The cable connections you should not be able to move them if they are properly connected to the battery.

[ik9000]

Tried Ctrl+Alt+Delete Some times does the trick lol

When you do get it started & drive it does it shake/judder if so its the alternator, ifs the issue is only on starting most likely its the battery.

Five Warning Signs Your Battery Is Dead or Dying

1) Your engine cranks but doesn't start.
2) No crank, no start, no lights!
3) One day it starts fine, then next day it won't.
4) Cold cranking is hard work.
5) You've jumped it a lot already.

Another thing during the Cold times Check your battery Connections, if they are loose, corroded, The cable connections you should not be able to move them if they are properly connected to the battery.

that is a good little summary.

[Aussie Vectra]

I got a mechanic to check the warning codes before it stopped working and he found some errors but did not tell me what it was. I also had a mechanic try to start it using a battery pack and no turn over of the starter. I also now changed the battery in case that was a problem. I bought an ECU blue tooth reader and it could not find the ECU despite trying several programs. I then got a mechanic to try his ECU tester and could not find it. Really wanting to know if the hot water has likely damaged it I can't seem to find another reason unless wiring is buggered....

[Aussie Vectra]

So I have taken it to a mechanic while it still started and they found some errors from the ECU, but did not go into detail, they cleared the errors and advised after it stops again to bring it in and they can check what new errors there are. Unfortunately that was the last time it started. I had a mobile mechanic come round (the one who replaced the starter motor) and I hooked up a blue tooth ECU reader and went through about 10 apps and could not connect to the ECU, so I hooked it up to another car and it worked straight away. The mechanic tried hooking his battery pack to the car and it would not turn over at all. He said that he checked the voltage going to the starter when he changed it and it was fine and the car started straight away once he previously replaced the starter. He then hooked up his ECU tester and it could not find the ECU. I have checked all of the fuses and changed the starter relay. The difference is that after he replaced the starter we had a few cold days and then it seems the ECU would no longer engage and the car would not crank. All you get is a single clicking sound when you turn the key and the starter does not even engage. Also bought a new battery just in case.

[Macman]

If you have bought a new battery. I would just replace it and see if you get different results. I had that very same issue, turn the key and you get a clink sort of noise to turn the car over then silence.

Replaced battery and turned key, car fired up. Drove round the block just to get the oil running, starter/alternator going.

[Jonj1611]

All you get is a single clicking sound when you turn the key and the starter does not even engage. Also bought a new battery just in case.

Have you changed the battery in your key lately? Battery maybe on its way out and causing the immobiliser to kick in.