Help!!!

[aaronfenwick]

I have a Vectra 1.9 CDTI SXI (2005 model) with the following problems. I have already changed the Alternator and the Battery in that order.

All these problems started when the alternator failed, driving home from work on the A34. Car was obviously running on battery only, as the charge light came on. Then all other dash lights came on, finally power steering died along with the fuel pump and everything was over. Coasted into the hard shoulder and got the RAC out. He put a charged battery in to get me home, and advised that the alternator was probably knacked.

I had a brand new alternator fitted, and all was fine for a week or so, then started having massive starting problems, in that the car would sometimes turn and other times would cough and splutter and try until eventually the battery gives out and it gives up. Then i'd have to jump it off the wife's car in order to start it ! So i suspected a failed battery due to the previous alternator failure. Got a 750 Watt Bosch battery from Halfrauds, and fitted that (or rather they did on site as I had no tools and it was a part-ex deal).. Anyway - Still getting the random starting issues + I get random warning lights popup. The most common is after about 3-4 miles / 10 mins - battery warning light comes on even though it never has trouble starting. Weird.
Also, another funny was the low oil light (dot matrix) came up on the way home from work last friday. So I left it for the night, and thought i'd check the oil in the morning to let the sump settle and get a more accurate reading from the dipstick, and the oil level is fine. That one hasn't come back, so surely if it was 'really' low it would of. Another one was the power steering warning light (dot matrix) and power steering cut out, thankfully while reversing off the drive, not on the A34 this time!)

Sometimes I go to start it, and NOTHING at all, like the immobiliser has said "nope". Take the key out and try again, nope... repeat, repeat, repeat and eventually it starts as if to say to me "whats your problem?"

I read somewhere about cleaning up the ABS plug by the battery, so i'll try that on Saturday when I get home (away at the moment) but otherwise at a total loss, without wanting to get completely fleeced by an auto-electrician for hours of diags time its likely to take ... any ideas???

Thanks for reading my rant - appreciate it...TIA.

Aaron
2005 Vectra 1.9 CDTi 8V.

[aaronfenwick]

Oh, and the other thing is i've had all the glow plugs and glow plug controller done too....Grrr

[Rupster_69]

I had a similar issue to you with the car not starting - turn the key, everything primes but the car does not turn. Had the starter replaced and alls good. It gave no indication of the starter failing just stopped one time then came back then went again for good.