Car won't start - is it the starter?

Paddy1234

Hi there,

For the last few weeks my car has been playing up - it's a 99 Opel Astra.

Basically sometimes when I go to start the car nothing happens - I turn the key and it's just silent. Then on the third or fourth try it might start. Or else if I leave it for a half an hour it might start when I come back.

Yesterday it didn't start at all. Haven't tried it yet today.

Anyone know what the problem is? Do you think it could be the starter?

Thanks for your help

irish bloke

Paddy1234 wrote: »

Hi there,

For the last few weeks my car has been playing up - it's a 99 Opel Astra.

Basically sometimes when I go to start the car nothing happens - I turn the key and it's just silent. Then on the third or fourth try it might start. Or else if I leave it for a half an hour it might start when I come back.

Yesterday it didn't start at all. Haven't tried it yet today.

Anyone know what the problem is? Do you think it could be the starter?

Thanks for your help

If it turns over like normal when is does start(I.e. Really quickly and not sluggish) then it could be starter. If it's sluggish it could be batt.

Can you hear clicking noise at starter when attempting to turn over? What is voltage of battery with car not running and running?

michael999999

Usually the fuel pump on them Astra's!

Greyfoot

****e battery or connection/earth. Also can be ignition barrel itself.

hi_im_fil

michael999999 wrote: »

Usually the fuel pump on them Astra's!

Fuel pump won't have anything to do with the engine not turning over though.

Can you hear the starter engaging when you try start it?

biko

Try jumping it, will it start first time then?

Paddy1234

Thanks guys

No can't hear the starter engaging it's pretty much silent.

Don't think it's the battery as the battery is only a couple of months old. Tried starting it again today and no joy.

Big C

Try tapping/hitting starter with a hammer, solenoid sticking is a common problem

Paddy1234

Big C wrote: »

Try tapping/hitting starter with a hammer, solenoid sticking is a common problem

Thanks but I forgot to mention I know nothing about cars so wouldn't know where to start looking for the starter

irish bloke

Paddy1234 wrote: »

Thanks but I forgot to mention I know nothing about cars so wouldn't know where to start looking for the starter

Take it to a mechanic then

Paddy1234

irish bloke wrote: »

Take it to a mechanic then

I would if I could start it.

biko

If car makes no sound whatsoever I'd look at the battery anyway.
Is there someone that can come over and jump it?

scottp68877

Had a similar problem with my car a few months ago. You check to see if the spark plugs are all working. If there not it could be the alternator or the coil for the spark plugs. It was the coil on mine.

irish bloke

scottp68877 wrote: »

Had a similar problem with my car a few months ago. You check to see if the spark plugs are all working. If there not it could be the alternator or the coil for the spark plugs. It was the coil on mine.

Spark plugs, coil packs won't stop the car from turning over.

Batt or starter or electrical issue with that circuit.
Batt could also be dead due to a faulty alternator.

It was suggested to try jump car, that's a good starting point.
Try get someone with a voltage meter to check battery now and if it starts with a jump check then also. It's a simple job to check.

rinsedpie

If it was the starter, you will get the usual noise of the car attempting to start when you twist on the ignition. My starter in Renault Megane 01 was making these noises for a few months (managed to get started after a few try each time) before finally packed in last week. EU120 for re-conditioned started, EU40 for the mechanics labour. He showed me the wheel/gear inside..missing few teeth.

colm_mcm

How did you even find this thread from 4 months ago.....