Friend's Astra Won't Start

Peanut Butter Jelly

Hi all. My friends 2000 Opel Astra (Petrol) would not start this evening. When we turned the key there was no noise at all from the engine bay. The radio and lights are working so I'm thinking the battery is ok. The fuel light was on last night and apparently it was pretty low but there was no suggestion that it was running on fumes, but he put more fuel in it this afternoon with a water bottle and it's showing up on the fuel metre. Any suggestions?

eurokev

jump start it

toastedpickles

Peanut Butter Jelly wrote: »

Hi all. My friends 2000 Opel Astra (Petrol) would not start this evening. When we turned the key there was no noise at all from the engine bay. The radio and lights are working so I'm thinking the battery is ok. The fuel light was on last night and apparently it was pretty low but there was no suggestion that it was running on fumes, but he put more fuel in it this afternoon with a water bottle and it's showing up on the fuel metre. Any suggestions?

You need a new battery, similar happened to mine when i had it

apoeiguq3094y

I was helping someone who ran out of fuel - it wouldn't start after adding one can of petrol. When we added the second 5L can it started. If it has run out of fuel then it might take more than a water bottle to get it going.

If you beep the horn does it sound as loud as it usually does? there might be enough power to turn on the dash lights and radio but if the horn sounds weak then the battery might be the culprit.

Is there any noise from the engine bay when you turn the key to start it? A clicking sound can mean the solenoid on the starter is gone. (the solenoid engages the starter so it can turn the engine). If it is the starter, you might be able to push start it if you have some help and someone who knows what to do.

Try jumping it to make sure its not the battery, and add a decent amount (5L) of fuel. A booster pack can be easier than jumping it from another car.

Also - petrol in a water bottle is not recommended. You can get one of those red fuel cans pretty cheap.

Peanut Butter Jelly

apoeiguq3094y wrote: »

I was helping someone who ran out of fuel - it wouldn't start after adding one can of petrol. When we added the second 5L can it started. If it has run out of fuel then it might take more than a water bottle to get it going.

If you beep the horn does it sound as loud as it usually does? there might be enough power to turn on the dash lights and radio but if the horn sounds weak then the battery might be the culprit.

Is there any noise from the engine bay when you turn the key to start it? A clicking sound can mean the solenoid on the starter is gone. (the solenoid engages the starter so it can turn the engine). If it is the starter, you might be able to push start it if you have some help and someone who knows what to do.

Try jumping it to make sure its not the battery, and add a decent amount (5L) of fuel. A booster pack can be easier than jumping it from another car.

Also - petrol in a water bottle is not recommended. You can get one of those red fuel cans pretty cheap.

He's pretty sure that there was some fuel in the tank and that it wasn't completely empty. Anyways, we found a jerry can and put 5 or so litres in it but there still isn't any sound from the engine bay.

We haven't tried the horn thing yet so we'll probably have to leave it till the morning.

blackbox

If there is no noise from the engine bay it is nothing to do with the petrol. Even with no petrol the starter motor would turn over the engine.

It could be a dead battery, but it sounds to me more like a problem with the ignition switch.

If the battery was bad the dash lights should all go dim when you turn the key to start it, and unless it is completely flat I would expect to hear the solenoid clicking.

biko

The battery can sometimes have enough juice for lights but not to start car. As suggested jump it first.

Peanut Butter Jelly

Right so just an update to this, we jump-started it on Friday morning and the car started and has kept starting since but I just got a text from him there saying he's taking it to his mechanic tomorrow morning to get it checked for sure.

Thanks to everyone for the advice

Cerco

Did he call Claudia?

Peanut Butter Jelly

Cerco wrote: »

Did he call Claudia?

PukkaStukka

Peanut Butter Jelly wrote: »

She said Astra's never break down.

vienne86

PukkaStukka wrote: »

She said Astra's never break down.

Don't think that ad is for the 2000 model!