Wont start

Tiny
TOMO 076
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 VAUXHALL MERIVA
  • 80,000 MILES
Hi
My problem started with the left hand indicators not working, car was running fine then when I tried to start it in morning it wouldn't start, the fuel light was flashing I was on a bit of a slope so I got it on level ground and it still didn't start even though it has got fuel in.
Got friend to put hand held OBD on it but it failed to link to the car. I have replaced the crankcase sensor still nothing, but have since noticed that the engine management light does NOT come on when I put ignition on. Am I missing something really obvious or do I need an overdraft?
Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013 AT 3:16 PM

23 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Check for a blown ECM fuse, also check that the globe for the check light has not blown, start here

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start
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Saturday, September 7th, 2013 AT 4:13 PM
Tiny
DUSTY DAVE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 VAUXHALL MERIVA
  • 72,000 MILES
Falt code no 1 injector circuit open. Changed injector same result. Check for fuel pressure at rail plenty of fuel. Plugs dry after much winding. Fitted from ebay used ECU, Body computer, speedo and chip in key, all security functions work ie cent locking etc reset codes sam problem! Any ideas?
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Check for broken circuit between injector and ECU.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DUSTY DAVE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Tested all injectors with a test lamp no power when cranked how about crank sensor although it does not register as a fault.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
You mentioned cylinder # 1 is not firing, how can the engine run without any power to the injectors?

Our database does not have any information on your vehicle but generally most injectors have power supply to them with ignition on and while cranking. The PCM would ground the circuit according to signals from the cam position sensor.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DUSTY DAVE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Yes fixed it it was the cam sensor thanks.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOMEOFCHROME
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 2004 VAUXHALL MERIVA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 70,000 MILES
After 10 mins running, the alternator warning light comes on, my rev counter and speedo drop to zero and intermittently come back on again, (alt light stays on) then if I stop engine, car wont start again, (although turns over fine) until engine is cold again. My battery voltage is 14, 4 volts when running and 12, 5 ish when engine off. Any ideas?
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
Try replacing the alternator, it may be faulty when hot and not chargeing. But chargeing the battery again once cooled down !
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RIVERMIKERAT
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,110 POSTS
You're very welcome Dusty Dave. Glad we could be of help.

Closing thread.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOMEOFCHROME
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks for your reply, I was sort of disregarding the alternator as when Ive got the fault on running engine Im getting a higher battery voltage than when the engine is stopped. Is it possible for this if alternator isn`t charging?
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVE H
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,383 POSTS
14.4 volts with engine running is a good alternator. If the battery/alternator light is
ON and you are still getting 14.4 volts at the battery then you must have a bad wire somewhere? Does the car show the MIL (malfunction indicator light) on the dash display ! Have you checked for any fault codes?
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOMEOFCHROME
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
No other lights showing and no faults have been registered or stored. What I find strange is fact that car wont start for about 3 hours after the fault shows.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SONIACALDWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
My car had exactly the same problem with the speed dial and battery warning light, also the traction control light was on too.
Went to the Vauxhall dealer, non of these things were actually faults (happened to find an oil leak while doing this though) they reset the fault codes and it was fine for about a week. Then the oil light came on, apparently related to not resetting a fault code when fixing the leak, which was then sorted. Now, a day later the battery and traction control lights are on (intermittantly) again, but this time (so far) the speedo's ok.
Did you ever get to the bottom of this problem? It would be nice to be able to trust the warning lights again.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOMEOFCHROME
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Thanks for your reply, Im still not at the bottom of the problem and car has been in and out of Vauxhall garage over the past month. Now waiting on new ECU - engine control unit (for last 2 weeks) to see if problem is solved.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DAVID STACEYSTACEY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 VAUXHALL MERIVA
  • 1.6L
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 76,578 MILES
I have been struggling to start my car. When I put the key in the engine ticks over but I have to give it gas to properly start it. When it does start it runs okay. I have changed the spark plugs that did not help, then I changed the air filter that also did not help. It normally takes two or three attempt before it start properly, but the engine is starting.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOMEOFCHROME
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Sonia, Car now OK after REPAIR of my ECU as Vauxhall dealer couldnt get new ECU. Car now traded in.
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
We have no information on this car as it is not sold in US, but check fuel pressure with a gauge may be low. See link.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MNS MOTORS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 VAUXHALL MERIVA
The battary light comes on then when it gets warm the speed plays up and it doesnt start
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Has Batt been checked out? And has ALT output been tested? If not that is a good place to start
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MNS MOTORS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes tested them thay seem ok, strange how it dnt want to start wen it's warm?
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Thursday, June 6th, 2019 AT 6:00 PM (Merged)

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