30 replies to this topic

[DanDare]

Yes, I have done a search but not really got a full answer. hoping someone can point me in th eright direction. tried starting car sunday, had to use a portable jump start unit. car turns over starts and then afer a few seconds cuts out. The car won't start now . Any ideas? Dan

[techieboy]

Does the engine management light on the dash illuminate? Sounds like it might be an immobiliser issue if the car does actually run for a few seconds before cutting out. Maybe the chip in the key has lost synch with the immobiliser.

[DanDare]

All the lights are fine no EML on turns over, but doesn't fire up now at all. Someone has mentioned starter relay in the past. I'm not sure where this is, anyone let me know? cheers Dan

[techieboy]

Starter relay is the larger yellow relay in the boot along with a couple of others - on top of the nearside rear wheel arch (may be covered by a black plastic cover). The fact it starts probably means it's okay, though it sounds like your battery might need a bit of help.

[DanDare]

The engine turns over but doesn't start, could it be a fuel problem? Found the yellow relay no luck getting started. Any other ideas.

[simsy]

Is it an NA? Has engine got rained on? (Coil pack)... Where abouts are u in Cheshire..

Edited by simsy, 27 April 2010 - 11:43 AM.

[LY_Scott]

You're not low on fuel and parked on a hill are you?

[Zoobeef]

As above the fuel may have moved to one side of the tank so either move the car or top the tank up.

[nicollow]

Mine (Turbo) was doing this a few weeks back. The EML light was on tho... It was traced to a cam position sensor and a fuel pump relay. Not much help really, but thats me in a nutshell!

[DanDare]

Is it an NA? Has engine got rained on? (Coil pack)... Where abouts are u in Cheshire..

I live in Ellesmere Port, No car is garaged and I have loads of fuel in it 23L. Haven't a clue where to start on this it's bugging me.

[simsy]

Normal proceedure is to see if it's sparking. Not that easy on a VX, but remove coil pack and put 4 plugs in it and with coil pack plugged in to the car loom, hold the 4 plugs onto the aluminium part of the engine at the same time. Have someone crank the engine over with the button and look for sparks on the plug tips.... If you have sparks the next thing is to press the valve on the fuel rail with a small tool (match stick)... The valve is like a tyre valve, and should have a cap on it... Fuel should squert out under high pressure, use a rag, and avoids your eyes.... (put your tab out first etc....) With this quick proceedure you can see if the car has fuel in the rail and / or is sparking.... 95% sure one or both will be missing.... Best to find 4 spare spark plugs for speed, but you can use your VX ones if you can remove them... Make sure battery is well charged. If it's too much hasle just check the fuel rail for pressure, takes just seconds... and no tools needed.

Edited by simsy, 28 April 2010 - 08:29 AM.

[DanDare]

Had a diagnostic on it and its code suggests there is a transponder problem, weird as car initially started ok but it seems that it had now lost signal from the transponder. Maybe a loose wire. Anyone got any other ideas, remember car initially started and then cut out?

[techieboy]

Told you it was the immobiliser. Think you'll find the chip in the key will need resynching with the immoboliser. Not sure whether that can be done by some combination of key in the ignition type arrangement or whether you'll need somebody with OP-COM or worse still, a dealer with a proper TECH-II diagnostic computer. The car will start and run for a few seconds before the immobiliser kicks in, that was the clue.

Edited by techieboy, 28 April 2010 - 11:22 AM.

[DanDare]

Told you it was the immobiliser. Think you'll find the chip in the key will need resynching with the immoboliser. Not sure whether that can be done by some combination of key in the ignition type arrangement or whether you'll need somebody with OP-COM or worse still, a dealer with a proper TECH-II diagnostic computer.

The car will start and run for a few seconds before the immobiliser kicks in, that was the clue.

I'm hoping it is the immobiliser as my mechanic has access to one of these and just needs security codes to reset.

fingers crossed I could be mobile later!

[simsy]

Do you think this has happened due to low battery voltage? My vx had a completely flat battery when I bought (bought as a non runner) it and would not run or turn over. After charging the battery the car turned over but did not start.. I suspected key chip issues as battery had been flat for weeks, but turned out to be a damp coil pack... (a very happy moment when it started for the first time at midnight, after drying the coil pack on a radiator all day). 3 years ago, still running on same battery and original coil pack....

Edited by simsy, 28 April 2010 - 12:22 PM.

[DanDare]

OK, car still sick, has been looked at and I'm told transponder not responding in anyway and may be the ECU which has gone so two questions. 1. Has anyone else had this happen? 2. What does it caost to replace? Dan

[smiley]

My new opel ecu was 1125 euro incl vat (ex built in costs)

[simsy]

Mechanic may say he has correct pc thingy to reset and reprogram the transponder system. But has he really? Do you have a spare key? Talk to an expert on the phone, like a good auto electrician... I assume you tried leaving it with no battery (or fuse out) for an hour or two. Then retrying. Good Luck...

Edited by simsy, 30 April 2010 - 11:06 AM.

[DanDare]

Mechanic may say he has correct pc thingy to reset and reprogram the transponder system. But has he really? Do you have a spare key?

Talk to an expert on the phone, like a good auto electrician...

I assume you tried leaving it with no battery (or fuse out) for an hour or two. Then retrying.

Good Luck...

Not tried fuse out for an hour or so. Is it fuse no 8. The garage has their own autoelectrician and I would say he's pretty knowledgeable as he is an approved dealer for vauxhall servicing. A friend too who has been doing my cars for over 20 years. Admittedly the VX is a different beast but he is an excellent mechanic and the autoelectrician has been with him for at least 10 years so i have to trust them, more so than local vauxhall dealer network....

[DanDare]

[quote name='DanDare' date='30 April 2010 - 12:11 PM' timestamp='1272625900' post='1030355']
[quote name='simsy' date='30 April 2010 - 12:05 PM' timestamp='1272625506' post='1030352']
Mechanic may say he has correct pc thingy to reset and reprogram the transponder system. But has he really? Do you have a spare key?

Talk to an expert on the phone, like a good auto electrician...

I assume you tried leaving it with no battery (or fuse out) for an hour or two. Then retrying.

Good Luck...



Not tried fuse out for an hour or so. Is it fuse no 8. The garage has their own autoelectrician and I would say he's pretty knowledgeable as he is an approved dealer for vauxhall servicing. A friend too who has been doing my cars for over 20 years. Admittedly the VX is a different beast but he is an excellent mechanic and the autoelectrician has been with him for at least 10 years so i have to trust them, more so than local vauxhall dealer network....

Just to add yes i have a spare key and that doesn't work either.