Uncooperative car trader

Mirkom

Here's the scenario, we need a car just until October, when we are getting a brand new one from the company I work for. In the interim we needed a cheap runaround, nothing flash, all we wanted was a car with an m.o.t and reliable. We found an Astra a trader was selling, 50 miles from where we lived, nothing flash but was advertised as quote unquote, very reliable with 4 months m.o.t.We went to have a look, and for the price it was being sold at it seemed good enough. Drove it home the 50 miles, no issues. Now on coming to start it up this morning, a full twenty hours after it was purchased, the engine turned over and started, then immediately cut out and would not turn over again. We contacted the trader and politely told him of the issues. To which his reply was "he couldn't make the car drive 50 miles and then not work, hope you get it sorted, thanks". No further correspondence was received. Any advise off some friendly experts would be appreciated.

susancs

Could it be a flat battery issue? If the car was sitting around and not used you may need to charge it or a new battery if it keeps happening. My daughters car had a similar problem when left at home whislt she was away in university and my husband used to charge the battery, but eventually had to get a new one.

Mirkom

Battery seems fine, and engine management lights and inspection are flashing away now

maninthestreet

You already have an identical thread for this issue - why start another one??

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5517256

Marktheshark

They are very prone to ECU failure.
However check the battery earth points, clip a jump lead from the negative terminal to the engine to check them .

Mirkom

The reason for a duplicate thread, being I was advised to post it into this forum, not the motoring forum, as people here may have more expertise here.

MothballsWallet

What about the alternator?

TadleyBaggie

Mirkom wrote: »

The reason for a duplicate thread, being I was advised to post it into this forum, not the motoring forum, as people here may have more expertise here.

You should have asked for the thread to be moved, not start a new one.

TadleyBaggie

MothballsWallet wrote: »

What about the alternator?

What about it? If the battery is fine, a faulty alternator will not stop the car from starting.

shaun_from_Africa

TadleyBaggie wrote: »

What about it? If the battery is fine, a faulty alternator will not stop the car from starting.

It can do.
If there is a shorted diode inside the alternator, there will be a path for the battery to discharge to ground.
Even if it's not a total short circuit, a diode that is breaking down can possibly allow enough current to flow to earth to prevent the car from starting.
It far from being a common occurrence but it can happen.

MothballsWallet

TadleyBaggie wrote: »

What about it? If the battery is fine, a faulty alternator will not stop the car from starting.

A faulty alternator won't charge the battery - you could drain the battery when starting the engine and be unable to keep it going.

The battery supplies voltage to the spark plugs via the distributor and high tension coils - if the battery has no charge and can't be recharged, the ignition system won't work.