Hi,
I have an Astra 4-dr CDi that won't start - the starter motor spins up but the engine makes no attempt to fire. Prior to this, the engine suffered from occasionally cutting out and then re-starting while moving. This progressively got worse, the last time the engine cut out completely and only re-started after waiting a few minutes (there was a slight burning smell which persuaded me not to push my luck) so I drove the last few hundred yards home. There was never any warning as to when it might do this.
The car had a new alternator about 6 months ago, at which time the distributor cap, plug and HT leads were all replaced. I can't tell if the engine is getting any fuel (but as the engine is fuel-injected I'm not sure if I should be able to smell it.
Should I suspect the alternator, ignition coil (or the electronic pack that sits beneath it)? I'm not mechanically-minded but I do understand the concepts! I just need some idea of where to start looking...
If you guys can help, I'd really appreciate it.
Dave Hicks
I have an Astra 4-dr CDi that won't start - the starter motor spins up but the engine makes no attempt to fire. Prior to this, the engine suffered from occasionally cutting out and then re-starting while moving. This progressively got worse, the last time the engine cut out completely and only re-started after waiting a few minutes (there was a slight burning smell which persuaded me not to push my luck) so I drove the last few hundred yards home. There was never any warning as to when it might do this.
The car had a new alternator about 6 months ago, at which time the distributor cap, plug and HT leads were all replaced. I can't tell if the engine is getting any fuel (but as the engine is fuel-injected I'm not sure if I should be able to smell it.
Should I suspect the alternator, ignition coil (or the electronic pack that sits beneath it)? I'm not mechanically-minded but I do understand the concepts! I just need some idea of where to start looking...
If you guys can help, I'd really appreciate it.
Dave Hicks