2010 Vauxhall Zafira 1.7 CDTI won't start!

firemansam4

I was just wondering if anyone had any ideas on this??

The other day when driving the car the ABS warning light started flickering on and off, at this point I stopped the car and then restarted the engine again.
The problem persisted for a while then things started to get worse...

Soon the Spedo and rev counter started flickering up and down, and I noticed the turbo started to get very jumpy and kicking in and out, at this point the EML and battery warning light came on.
After a while the EML, battery and ABS warning lights just stayed on constant and the spedo, rev counter and fuel gauge all stopped working. The car was still driving but was very underpowered as if the turbo was not kicking in at all.

So I was able to get home ok with the car but as soon as I stopped and took the keys out and tried to start the engine again nothing happens at all, I just hear a small click when I try.
A mechanic suggested it could be the alternator and suggested trying to charge the battery using jump leads, I did this for nearly 20 minutes with the engine running in another large sized car, but it made no difference and it still wont even attempt to start.

Im fearing the issue might be the ECU unit, but im not really sure. Its parked up in my drive at the moment and looking like I will have to hire a tow truck and get it down to a mechanic or opel dealers to look into.

martyc5674

Id first be looking at earths...check the connections to your battery are sound...and check connections from alternator to battery and also earth straps to chassis.
It may well be your alternator is no longer working and not charging your battery, or your battery may have died...these are the few things i would be checking.
Did you check the battery??

firemansam4

martyc5674 wrote: »

Id first be looking at earths...check the connections to your battery are sound...and check connections from alternator to battery and also earth straps to chassis.
It may well be your alternator is no longer working and not charging your battery, or your battery may have died...these are the few things i would be checking.
Did you check the battery??

All connections seem to be ok as far as I can see.
I dissconnected the battery and the voltage is reading 12.46 V, when I have it back connected and turn on the ignition it drops to about 11.9 V. If I try and start the car the voltage doesnt seem to drop at all, as if it doesnt attempt to start at all. I wonder is the imobilizer kicking in for some reason?

Also The car I was jumping from had the exact same battery as whats in my car and the exact same thing happens while its connected and the other cars engine is running.

martyc5674

firemansam4 wrote: »

All connections seem to be ok as far as I can see.
I dissconnected the battery and the voltage is reading 12.46 V, when I have it back connected and turn on the ignition it drops to about 11.9 V. If I try and start the car the voltage doesnt seem to drop at all, as if it doesnt attempt to start at all. I wonder is the imobilizer kicking in for some reason?

Also The car I was jumping from had the exact same battery as whats in my car and the exact same thing happens while its connected and the other cars engine is running.

Have you access to a battery charger?
Also connections might look fine but if there's corrosion at mating points (with the chassis for example) there will be high resistance for current flow.
If you can try jumping it again maybe put the earth cable on your car chassis rather than the earth terminal on the battery..might highlight a poor earth to chassis.
It could be a Miriad of things but you've to start at the start...make sure your battery is good...voltage won't tell you everything.. 8 AA BATTERIES will give you 12v but they won't satart your car...
Wiggle cables...particularly cables to chassis, usually weaved cable...wiggle these,disconnect them if you can clean the contact areas up etc.
Marty.

firemansam4

martyc5674 wrote: »

Have you access to a battery charger?
Also connections might look fine but if there's corrosion at mating points (with the chassis for example) there will be high resistance for current flow.
If you can try jumping it again maybe put the earth cable on your car chassis rather than the earth terminal on the battery..might highlight a poor earth to chassis.
It could be a Miriad of things but you've to start at the start...make sure your battery is good...voltage won't tell you everything.. 8 AA BATTERIES will give you 12v but they won't satart your car...
Wiggle cables...particularly cables to chassis, usually weaved cable...wiggle these,disconnect them if you can clean the contact areas up etc.
Marty.

Ive dissconnected and checked and reconnected both battery connections, I will try the jump start again tomorrow and like you said connect the earth cable to the car chasis, and check the earth cables.
Thanks for the advice so far....

markest

Had same problem last year with 1.9 Zaf was thae alternator. Common fault with Zafira's apparently. Had mine refurbished instead of replaced.. still going touch wood.

firemansam4

Just to update on this.
I had a local mechanic look at the car, he thought it may have been an Ecu related problem and advised me to get it to an Opel Dealers, so I did that but had to wait until this week when they where able to look at it. Today they told me it was the front fuse box that had gone, states it's a common fault with them.