Vauxhall Astra not starting?

Rovver125

2000 X reg Vauxhall Astra 1.6, just loaded it up for a dump run (cars always pick their moments!!) and it won't start.

Was working fine yesterday and I've had no recent problems with it. The ignition lights come on, radio, lights etc all working fine, but when I turn the key, nothing.

You usually hear a noise, a click or similar when turning the ignition on, I presume this is something to do with the starter motor or a solenoid, but right now it is silent, no sound at all when I turn the ignition on.

Can't get hold of either of my mechanics at the moment, guessing it will need to go into the garage, but just wondered if anyone on here had any idea what it could be?

Cheers!

Norman_Castle

Try jump leads. Lights etc will work with a nearly flat battery.

Retrogamer

Try starting it with the interior light on and see if it starts to dim when you turn the key.
If it doesn't then it means none of the power is getting to the starter motor so perhaps a faulty solenoid or plug / loom feeding to it.

Rovver125

Thank you both for the responses.

@Norman Castle - Waiting for a mate with jump leads to ring me back but I'm pretty sure that's not the problem although probably still be good to try it to rule it out.

@Retrogamer - Just tried this, interior light doesn't dim at all and likewise if I put the headlights on, they don't dim either. Having just had my head in the engine bay and my missus turning the key, the clicking noise I said about hearing from inside the car when it usually starts can still be heard, but it's a lot quieter then usual and doesn't sound right, like a relay or something sticking. It's difficult to describe but is leading me to think that your diagnosis is probably right!

Looks like I need to get it booked into the garage on Monday!

bizzybee

I have an R reg Astra and this happens to me every 6 months or so. I take the connector things off the battery and then put them back on. One of them works itself loose so I make sure I tighten them as much as I can.

Slowhand

Give the starter motor solenoid a tap or two with a hammer. It worked for me back in January and I have no problem since.

Rovver125

Thanks for all the replies. I live right behind my local mechanic and spoke to him when he got home, he came round to have a quick look and turns out it was just a loose connection to the starter motor. He gave it a wiggle and it started first time! I'm not great with cars and was struggling to find the starter motor, it's certainly well hidden in the engine bay!

£0 fix, perfect! Cheers all

Ratboy

Just like to add that a 10 yo car, the battery just goes mental, works one day, causes issues the next, so hope the OP fixed it, but surely a battery fail in future.

Rovver125

Ratboy wrote: »

Just like to add that a 10 yo car, the battery just goes mental, works one day, causes issues the next, so hope the OP fixed it, but surely a battery fail in future.

It's had a new battery at some point in the last few years, not 100% sure when as we've only had the car just over a year, but it's definitely not the original battery.

All sorted now though! Cheers