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[terry paget]

2008 Vectra 1,8 petrol manual saloon
This car has been off the road for 2 months with a minor coolant leak. all is now reassembled, ready to test start, but the starter does not crank. It may well be a faulty starter or solenoid, but it was starting fine before the strip down.
Battery has been recharged, showing 12.55 volts across the terminals. Turning the ignition key to start position, nothing happens, and the voltage at battery remains at 12.55. Similarly, headlights on are not dimmed on turning the key, and I hear no click from the starter.
Might it be an immobiliser problem, or a fuse?

[Andy B]

I'd still expect the engine to turn over if there was an immobiliser fault.

[Andy B]

Is the starter accessible?  Can you get access to short across the solenoid to operate the starter from under the bonnet? MAKE SURE IT'S OUT OF GEAR 

Not that I've ever done that ..... 

[Nick W]

Quickie diagnosis:


Bridge the terminals on the starter with a screwdriver.


 If it turns, you need to check the wiring with a mutimeter.
If it doesn't turn, the starter is poor. Give it a hefty whack and try again. If that works, you can now drive the car to your nearest supplier of replacement parts - don't buy one off Ebay as you'll probably endup with a Chinese Yak52 one. Which won't match the fittings on your car

[Sir Tigger KC]

Giving a dodgy starter a hefty whack is always the first thing I do! 

Can you bump start it Terry? 

Am I allowed to suggest bump starting on here?     

[Andy B]

If it's any consolation Terry, your Vectra's starter can't be as difficult to access as a Smart Roadster's starter is 

[Doctor Gollum]

Put it in gear, hand brake and ignition OFF, and roll the car forward and backward. Then out of gear and try to crank it again...

[Doctor Gollum]

If it's any consolation Terry, your Vectra's starter can't be as difficult to access as a Smart Roadster's starter is 

You say that...

[Andy B]

If it's any consolation Terry, your Vectra's starter can't be as difficult to access as a Smart Roadster's starter is 

You say that...

I've practical experience of the Smart's .... it took me about 5 hours to remove & similar to fit the new one. What a t**t 

[Doctor Gollum]

I don't recall ever seeing a Vectra one

[Andy B]

I don't recall ever seeing a Vectra one

I can now point out the starter on the Roadster as it has a nice white sticker on it still.  And besides, a Vectra has a huge bonnet to lift so you can see the engine ..... a Roadster has a tea tray sized inspection hatch instead. 
Still .... a Smart drives the correct wheels 

[Doctor Gollum]

I can get a hand on the Barge one from above. Which is nice 

[Andy B]

I can get a hand on the Barge one from above. Which is nice 

I'm embarrassed to say that I've never looked that hard under the bonnet of my ML to know where it is 

I know there's a big plastic ''don't touch'' cover over the engine! 

[BazaJT]

And no doubt the mechanics in the stealers obey that to the letter

[Doctor Gollum]

And no doubt the technicians in the stealers obey that to the letter

You assume that they can stop Snapchatting long enough to read the label...