2006 Astra Starting Problem

Deank

So on Saturday I take the wife's 2006 Astra to the bottle bank to recycle glass, got to the bottle bank and turned off the ignition, got out of the car leaving drivers door open and took the bottles out of the boot, it must have taken me no more than 2/3 minutes to put the bottles into the bins.

When I went to restart the car nothing, all I got was a clunking noise, not a heavy noise more of a dull click.

I walked back to the house got my car and put the jump leads on the Astra and it started immediately and started fine after that all weekend.

My wife went to start the car this morning and nothing, we have a mains charger so she stuck the leads on and it started straight away.

She plans to drop it into the local garage today, has anyone any idea as to what the fault may be, the battery seems fine.

smurph10

New altinator needed, it's not charging the battery, happened in my old Astra..

Deank

smurph10 wrote: »

New altinator needed, it's not charging the battery, happened in my old Astra..

Thanks smurph, any idea of the cost of one?

smurph10

Not sure to be honest as it was a few years ago but I know u can get it new or a reconditioned 1. If I'm right I think it might a been round 160. Hopefully this isn't ur issue and it might be something smaller. Let me know how u get on.

Deank

smurph10 wrote: »

Not sure to be honest as it was a few years ago but I know u can get it new or a reconditioned 1. If I'm right I think it might a been round 160. Hopefully this isn't ur issue and it might be something smaller. Let me know how u get on.

Will do smurph, she's going to go to the garage shortly, will see what they have to say.

Could well be the battery, not the alternator.
I'd be thinking battery is more likely.

Deank

RoverJames wrote: »

Could well be the battery, not the alternator.
I'd be thinking battery is more likely.

Here's hoping it's the battery, I just went onto Mick's Garage to get a price for an alternator €246:eek:.

I just thought it was funny that the car started as soon as it had a charge on it.

smurph10

Ill put a whole 5 euro on it bein the altinator..

Deank

smurph10 wrote: »

Ill put a whole 5 euro on it bein the altinator..

I hope it isn't, it'll cost about €350ish including labour.

Mr.Fred

I'd be wiling to bet the battery, does she use the car often?

The cold weather we've been having the last while and a car sitting idle, the battery won't hold a charge for long if not used regularly.

Hope it's not your alternator op that'd suck.

Deank

Mr.Fred wrote: »

I'd be wiling to bet the battery, does she use the car often?

The cold weather we've been having the last while and a car sitting idle, the battery won't hold a charge for long if not used regularly.

Hope it's not your alternator op that'd suck.

She uses the car every day, the same thing happened to her when she was shopping a year or so ago, she was sitting in the car and with the keys in the ignition and radio on for about 10 mins, then went to start the car and nothing.

This happened in Liffey Valley so she went to find the security guards so they could jump start the car for her, when she got back 10 mins later the car started with out needing a jump. Very confusing.

biko

When was the battery last changed?
You can test it yourself with a cheapish volt meter
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair-questions/4221215

Mr.Fred

Strange that she's still managing to drive it if it was the alternator this would probably happen every day. does she get a few days of no issues?

Deank

Deank wrote: »

I hope it isn't, it'll cost about €350ish including labour.

An auto spark would sort most alternator issues for under €100.
Rarely a need to get a new/recon'd one. Usually just a regualtor or diode pack issue.

As you have not mentioned the alternator light remaining on on the instrument cluster and the car starts off a jump and runs fine without any lights dimming etc I am thinking its the battery.

smurph10 wrote: »

Ill put a whole 5 euro on it bein the altinator..

I'll take that bet

Deank

biko wrote: »

When was the battery last changed?
You can test it yourself with a cheapish volt meter
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/how-to/repair-questions/4221215

I don't think the battery has been changed since she got it, really hoping it's just the battery.

Deank

Mr.Fred wrote: »

Strange that she's still managing to drive it if it was the alternator this would probably happen every day. does she get a few days of no issues?

Up until Saturday this has only happened once before a year or so ago as previously mentioned, I thought leaving the door open and radio on for max of 3 mins drained an already low battery, but found it strange it drained in such a short space of time.

Deank

Car in the garage now, waiting from an update from my wife as to what the problem is.

How is the €5 going to be exchanged?:)

MidlandsM

an 2006 astra.......probably due a battery........and this cold weather kicks the sh!t out of batteries

Mr.Fred

Deank wrote: »

Car in the garage now, waiting from an update from my wife as to what the problem is.

How is the €5 going to be exchanged?:)

Charity box will do

smurph10

Any sign of the wife yet???

Mr.Fred

smurph10 wrote: »

Any sign of the wife yet???

Gettin nervous

Deank

smurph10 wrote: »

Any sign of the wife yet???

Nah, she's dropped it around to the local garage near where she works, she hasn't heard back from them yet, should here soon though.

As soon as I know what it is I'll let you know.

smurph10

Well for Deank sake lets hope ur right Fred on the battery, curiosity got the better of me there...

Deank

smurph10 wrote: »

Well for Deank sake lets hope ur right Fred on the battery, curiosity got the better of me there...

Agreed fingers crossed it is too....

Deank

Update lads, apparently it is the alternator, not quite sure I believe the garage as they may be playing my wife as a woman who knows nothing about cars and are trying to maximize the money they can make out of her.

The garage are coming back with prices on a new and reconditioned part tomorrow, funny thing is they said she'd need to leave the car there for a couple of days for the reconditioned part.

smurph10

Is it to early to say it......

Sorry to hear that, hopefully it won't come in too expensive...

Bpmull

Nearly every astra from 2005-2009 had a reconditioned alternator or new alternator at some stage. It was a common fault on them if you google it. My 2008 astra had a recon alternator when it was only a few years old. You shouldn't have any more trouble with it once its done.

Deank

smurph10 wrote: »

Is it to early to say it......

Sorry to hear that, hopefully it won't come in too expensive...

Thanks smurph hopefully it won't, but I've never heard of having to leave a car in for 2 days for a reconditioned alternator, smells of BS to me.

smurph10

Fred , Fred, are u there Fred.. My charity of choice is Trocaire..ha.. ill await our next battle.. 2 days does seem a bit extreme Dean, I think I went with a new alternator as the price between that and the reconditioned one wasn't all that much

Deank

smurph10 wrote: »

Fred , Fred, are u there Fred.. My charity of choice is Trocaire..ha.. ill await our next battle.. 2 days does seem a bit extreme Dean, I think I went with a new alternator as the price between that and the reconditioned one wasn't all that much

Well lets see what prices the garage come back with, like us all I'm sure we could do without the expense.

My wife just checked service receipts too and I had forgotten but shortly after she got the car about 4 years ago she had the alternator changed after something similar happened. Old age has caught up with me I'd completely forgotten about it.

Mr.Fred

Haha all's fair in love and war. I'd prefer one of the childrens hospitals but if Trocaire is you thing consider them €5 richer. Doh!! :eek:

Me and my big trap.. haha :pac:

Sorry to hear it's the alternator man that's underpants. Hopefully you get away on the cheap.

Now where to find a Trocaire box.. Hmm..

Deank

Mr.Fred wrote: »

Haha all's fair in love and war. I'd prefer one of the childrens hospitals but if Trocaire is you thing consider them €5 richer. Doh!! :eek:

Me and my big trap.. haha :pac:

Sorry to hear it's the alternator man that's underpants. Hopefully you get away on the cheap.

Now where to find a Trocaire box.. Hmm..

Well if it was my preference on charity it would be the Irish Cancer Society, having lost my sister in law to it at a very young age, I'll leave it up to yourself and smurph though.

Does 2 days seem excessive to leave a car in for a recon unit Fred and considering it was changed 4 years ago, something doesn't seem right

smurph10

Irish cancer society it is...worthy cause

Mr.Fred

Deank wrote: »

Well if it was my preference on charity it would be the Irish Cancer Society, having lost my sister in law to it at a very young age, I'll leave it up to yourself and smurph though.

Does 2 days seem excessive to leave a car in for a recon unit Fred and considering it was changed 4 years ago, something doesn't seem right

It'd be on the longer side of things but with small garages they're usually out the door and tend to have cars waiting on them rather than mechanics waiting on a car that may not arrive.

Do you know someone who can give you a second opinion and maybe somebody who could test the battery. Usually if the alternator is shagged you'll be having to jump start it all the time as the batter on't be charging whilst driving. It may be a case of it being on it's last legs but usually I'd rule out the cheaper items first.

If you're any good with a spanner you may well be able to whip it out yourself I'm not 100% how accessible it is though tbh.

I lost a good friend to cancer myself last year only 33 years old it's ruthless.

Mr.Fred

smurph10 wrote: »

Irish cancer society it is...worthy cause

We'll settle on that so.

Deank

Mr.Fred wrote: »

We'll settle on that so.

Thanks guys, I'm really not that good with engines so would rather not do more damage long term by messing around with something I'm not overly comfortable with, seems odd though 2 alternators could go in 4 years.

Mr.Fred

Deank wrote: »

Thanks guys, I'm really not that good with engines so would rather not do more damage long term by messing around with something I'm not overly comfortable with, seems odd though 2 alternators could go in 4 years.

It does alright. 4 years ago did you have a new one fitted on a recon?

I'd be dubious myself to be honest. Have you no multi meter or a mate who's a spark?

Deank

Mr.Fred wrote: »

It does alright. 4 years ago did you have a new one fitted on a recon?

I'd be dubious myself to be honest. Have you no multi meter or a mate who's a spark?

No mates that are that handy, they're may be one who has a multimeter, I will ask him tomorrow evening of he'd know what he was looking at.

Am pretty sure she got a brand new one last time.

BTW I'm going to stick a fiver into the next cancer society box I come across too for all the help and advice you guys have given me.

xzid

Same thing happened with my Corolla. Took it to the garage and apparently "all the fuses were blown". Got new fuses for €60 and brought it back home. The next day it wouldn't start again so instead of bringing it back to the garage I got a battery charger from Halfords and charged the battery overnight. The car is running again with no problems so I'd suggest you to charge the battery fully before buying a new alternator.

Deank

xzid wrote: »

Same thing happened with my Corolla. Took it to the garage and apparently "all the fuses were blown". Got new fuses for €60 and brought it back home. The next day it wouldn't start again so instead of bringing it back to the garage I got a battery charger from Halfords and charged the battery overnight. The car is running again with no problems so I'd suggest you to charge the battery fully before buying a new alternator.

The garage ran diagnostics on it an it showed up as an alternator fault, will mention to my wife when she brings it in tomorrow and get them to check the fuses.

jamescd

RoverJames wrote: »

I'll take that bet

Rover took the bet as well. More money for said charity, fair play lads :P

nmacc

While the alternator may indeed be faulty, the symptions you describe would also fit worn starter motor brushes.

'Twould be a shame to spend all that money on a shiny new alternator & have the fault re-appear in a day or two.

You say the diagnostic reported a faulty alternator? in what way?

Intermittent brush contact? Worn slip rings? Faulty regulator? Open circuit rotor or stator? Worn bearings? etc, etc, etc.

It's always worth asking the important little questions. I would presume that it most likely failed under load, but there are a variety of reasons why that could have happened. You need the professional opinion of an Auto Electrician, not a mechanic.

Oh, and it's not the battery. Leaving the radio on and the door open for a while would not result in the symptoms you describe.

smurph10

smurph10 wrote: »

Irish cancer society it is...worthy cause

jamescd wrote: »

Rover took the bet as well. More money for said charity, fair play lads :P

I very much doubt it's the alternator, if the alternator wasn't charging the battery the battery wouldn't be at all inclined to jump start immediately imo.

smurph10

Cud get a trend going on boards with these small fun wagers, charity benefits all the way.. As it is the first one I too shall donate the 5euro to said charity..

Deank

Right so my wife just got a call from the garage, here's the deal.

New Alternator €460.00 (incl parts fitting vat) Robbery IMO, Micks Garage are €246

(The cost for the Part itself is €356.70 (inc vat) If parts ordered today/tomorrow, they can do this for me on Monday.)

Recon €345.00 (incl fitting vat) Looks like they just pulled that number out of the sky

(Recon part work only €200.00; This will take 2 days and I've asked for a FOC replacement car...no response yet.)

What you think? And BTW the car started fine this morning and no issues since yesterday morning.

smurph10

Wat part of Ireland u in dean, mine was nowhere near that original quote u received..

Deank

smurph10 wrote: »

Wat part of Ireland u in dean, mine was nowhere near that original quote u received..

Naas area smurph, my wife is going to another garage in Naas, she basically told the to F off, don't want to name and shame...

smurph10

Well as look would hv it, I work in naas and got mine done there in a private garage about 6 miles from Sallins, ill try to get u the number..

Deank

smurph10 wrote: »

Well as look would hv it, I work in naas and got mine done there in a private garage about 6 miles from Sallins, ill try to get u the number..

Nice one smurph, how much did yours set you back?

TBH I am not convinced it is the alternator, the car started fine this morning and she has had no issues with it since yesterday, the fact that when a charge goes on it when it is dead that it starts straight away is weird, I'm far from an expert but I'm thinking it's an electrical fault.

Philip82

Second hand altenator is about 50 odd euro from breakers yard, I would prob go that way if it were me. Replacing an altenator would be a straight forward job to any kind of competent mechanic Id imagine as long as access isnt too bad. Shouldnt take much more than an hour or two Id say. Ring around a few yards you might be surprised to hear how cheap it can be done for!!! That price you got is mad but thats main dealers for ya, 80 an hour where do they think they are?? Monte Carlo:p