Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Phil.Thomson]

Hi,

Went to start the Omega 2.5V6 CD on Monday night and the engine nearly started on 1st turn of the ignition. Nothing strange there as it would 99% of the time then start on the 2nd turn. But on the 2nd turn of the ignition, nothing, the starter didn't even offer to turn the engine.
It was as if the electrical power to the ignition/starter subsystem was disabled, all the other electrical items were fine, lights, radio, windows, etc., so it's not the battery (confirmed by using jump leads from the girlfriend's car). I would liken it to when I had an MGB GT and the HT leads to the ignition coil were disconnected. I had been fumbling at the heater bypass valve on Saturday afternoon (after turning from hot to cold on the heater controls had a small leak of water coming from rear of engine bay). The car had since been running fine (after keeping heater at hot) Sat, Sun and Mon but could I have partially dislodged something that now means the ignition system is not getting any juice and therefore won't fire? or have I inadvertedly turned on the engine immobiliser as I remember the keyfob buttons being pressed as I first attempted to start the Omega on Mon night.
The Engine Management Light does not flash when the ignition is turned on, it stays on.  I have tried the paper clip test and codes 31 and 73 were blinked out. 31 No Engine RPM Signal I can understand as the engine is not running. 73 Mass Air Flow Sensor Voltage Low may be a reason but I don't know how to check.
The Vauxhall security information card that came with the car has an immobiliser code on it - why and how is this code used?
What should I try next?
Disconnect the battery and go for the big red button approach and hope that a reboot might do the trick?
Try and jump start the car by getting a push?

Thanks

[markey mark]

do a paper clip test and post results !

[Phil.Thomson]

Buried in my initial post are the results of the paper clip test
31  No Engine RPM Signal
73  Mass Air Flow Sensor Voltage Low

I can understand the 31 as the engine is not turning therefore no revs. Would the 73 code be the reason the ignition/starter won't fire?

Thanks

[vrba]

31 is normal when car is not running as i know

[vrba]

i think not cause if maf is just for regulating air so the engine should be running even if the with the maf failure

[Dazzler]

Check the big fuses in the box by the batterey.

[Phil.Thomson]

Checked the fuses in the boxes on top of and by the side of the battery - they all looked okay with none of them blown.  (Removing one of them set off the alarm and put the radio/cassette into safe mode - at least I know the radio code on the Vauxhall security information is correct).

One thing I did notice while the radio was quite was when attempting to start the car there was a clicking noise for the vicinity of the glove box compartment.

Thanks

[jules]

Ten will get you twenty your solenoid and or starter have left the vehicle.

But worth checking the earthing of the starter/solenoid.

[Phil.Thomson]

Update .. able to bump start the car after getting a push from a few friends and family.  

Took it to one garage hoping and pray not to stall (uphill) and they couldn't find out what the problem was - they thought it was electrical but did not have the auto electrical expertise to diagnose and fix.  

They pointed me in the direction of an Auto Electrician garage ... so another bump start and a journey across town (mostly uphill again) hoping/praying not to stall. They were able to diagnose the problem as a faulty starter.  They quoted some ridiculous price for a new starter so I got a working one off of ebay for £20 including postage.  However this is where it gets expensive at £65 per hour of labour + VAT, then they told me they had to fit a new engine mount at £64.50 + VAT as the old one had snapped. They said the engine mount must have be weak but looking at it there is only some superficial rust but not on the core of the bolt they snapped.  Have they been ham fisted or should they have been trying to slacken off the engine mount to remove and replace a starter motor?

Thanks

[MutantCav]

Cant imagine why they would have to loosen an engine mount...I have an engine hanging from an engine crane in my front garden (classy eh!) so will have a look at where the starter motor is and let you know...seems REALLY unlikely though...