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[andyiow]

MY 2.5TD which has been performing without any major problems since I brought it has, this morning, decided to play up in a big way.

Symptoms.
Started fine at home drove to Tesco's to get some bits for lunch today. Switched off ignition took keys out but engine still running, took a little while to twig that. Ignition lights on but no key fitted.

Stalled engine by putting into gear and raising clutch. All lights still on restarted engine fine so switched off again, lights on engine running still. Stalled car did shopping and returned to car.

Ignition lights on as well as gearbox with lightning though it on as well. Engine turns fine just will not start up.

Went to work, about a 1/2 mile walk away, got a spanner and returned to disconnect battery. A clicking type sound was heard in engine bay before battery was disconnected. Left it off for 5 minutes and tried to reconnec battery. Alarm sounds which I have never heard before when the battery has been disconnected before (not good at just after 6 am in a car park). Left battery disconnected and returned to work to ask this question on here (when they reconnected internet service at work just now).

So my questions are:-
1, What might have gone wrong, I am think ECU decided to play up or could it be the immobilser.
2, Will leaving battery disconnected for a while help.
3, How do you turn alarm off when reconnecting battery.
4, If it still plays up will it be a visit to  the Vauxhall dealer   whom I hate as they tend to take thier sweet time and not really fix the problems when I have taken my car in before.

[Jimbob]

Had similar with a faulty alternator before now.

To stop the alarm, disconnect the battery within 15 seconds of turning off the ignition.

[andyiow]

Had similar with a faulty alternator before now.

To stop the alarm, disconnect the battery within 15 seconds of turning off the ignition.

Jimbob, which bit was similar and all the ignition lights are still on when ignition switched off. The battery will have been disconnected for about 4 hrs by the time I get back to the car.

[shyboy]

Faulty ignition switch?
If the alarm goes off when disconnecting/connecting battery, turning the ignition on normally stops it, I think, but if the fault is in the switch that may not work.

[feeutfo]

my alternator failed, while driving. poor tick over, high tick over while driving,i stopped for traffic, engine slowly dieing battery light on managed to limp to a a side rd, radio turned itself off, engine cut out. crank car, no fire. now the weird bit. took keys out, battery light still on, eml light and some other dash lights still on radio turned itself back on.  

my bet. alternator gone, but wait for some other opinions, i not the most experienced.
 if so vx do exchange service wich i found to be cheepest option, and a factors will want to know pulley size and output vx will know from reg. :-/

guide to repair a v6(did not note your engine size, oops)on here, replaced myn (v6) on drive pig of a job, 3 hours to do 2 bolts, and 2 wires with help of a mate

[feeutfo]

ar td, yours is worse to replace i hear,  

[andyiow]

Just been 'soft' towed home which I believe you should not do as it must be a rigid tow now. Good to have friendly neighbours. Now roll on the weekend so the pair of us can have a look and find the problem. If not jus remembered a mechanic mate has just got one of those car electronic readers so I might ask for a home visit.

Any other suggestions might help such as where to sounder is so we can temporary disconnect it.

ar td, yours is worse to replace i hear

Just about the same with any engine bay job it seems on the TD.

[feeutfo]

sounder on myn under scuttle drivers side near drain hole.
wish you luck with it

[Omegatoy]

my bet is ignition switch has fell apart!!!

[Marks DTM Calib]

my bet is ignition switch has fell apart!!!

Good, somebody who thinks the same as me!

[Andy B]

Just been 'soft' towed home which I believe you should not do as it must be a rigid tow now. .....

I think it's just recovery garages that insist on rigid tow (or their insurers) As far as I'm aware it's still perfectly legal to use a rope. The only exception I'm aware of is, that you can only use a rope to tow someone off the motorway ie to the next junction. If you're planning to go any further you must then use a rigid bar.

[andyiow]

Right thought I would go with the majority here and look at the ignition switch itself.

Do I really have to take the steering wheel off just to remove the covers to get at the switch? A bit of an iffy way to do it. Decided to wait until the weekend now.

[philhoward]

Despite the electronic wizadry, so these still have the old fashioned stop solenoid?  Can't think of any other reason for engine running and ignition light on...

[philhoward]

Right thought I would go with the majority here and look at the ignition switch itself.

Do I really have to take the steering wheel off just to remove the covers to get at the switch? A bit of an iffy way to do it. Decided to wait until the weekend now.

On mine, you do need to turn the wheel to 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock to get the two screws behind the wheel (hidden by covers - just flick off)- but it doesn't have to come off.  I think its then 3 screws from underneath

[andyiow]

Right thought I would go with the majority here and look at the ignition switch itself.

Do I really have to take the steering wheel off just to remove the covers to get at the switch? A bit of an iffy way to do it. Decided to wait until the weekend now.

On mine, you do need to turn the wheel to 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock to get the two screws behind the wheel (hidden by covers - just flick off)- but it doesn't have to come off.  I think its then 3 screws from underneath

Cheers Phil will give that a go, might jack car up at front to make it easier to turn though driving a 'dead' car with power assist steering or braking made me loose a few lbs in sweat this morning in fear (braking) and exersion (steering).