Vauxhall Corsa - Starting Problem

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Mon 31 Oct 2011 11:49
Vauxhall Corsa - Starting Problem - harrisman

I'm having an intermittent problem starting my 1999 Corsa 1.2. Occasionally, turning the ignition key produces nothing but silence but, several hours later, it'll start without a problem. Is it likely to be the ignition switch, or something else entirely? I'd appreciate any suggestions....

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Mon 31 Oct 2011 22:43
Vauxhall Corsa - Starting Problem - 1litregolfeater

I had exactly the same symptoms, but it was a 2001 Astra.

It would start after knocking the starter solenoid with a hammer so I pulled the starter motor apart, cleaned, regreased, refitted.

Then the starting problems returned just the same after a week and I only fixed it with an exchange starter motor, £60.

You might get a cheaper one from a scrapper but you won't know if it's any good.

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Tue 1 Nov 2011 08:00
Vauxhall Corsa - Starting Problem - harrisman

Interesting. Thanks. Local mechanic is baffled because it never refused to start for him when it was in the garage.

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Thu 10 Nov 2011 04:12
Vauxhall Corsa - Starting Problem - 1litregolfeater

Wait for the cold weather

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Thu 10 Nov 2011 10:39
Vauxhall Corsa - Starting Problem - injection doc

have you tried the spare key ? sometimes the micro chips fail to respond.

I think yours is too early but not sure, have you ever seen the engine line blink fast when you try to start it & it doesnt start ?

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Thu 10 Nov 2011 13:35
Vauxhall Corsa - Starting Problem - Peter.N.

When you turn the key and it doesn't start do the panel lights go out? If so its a dodgy battery connection somewhere.

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Thu 10 Nov 2011 14:13
Vauxhall Corsa - Starting Problem - madf

Simple test.

Swithc on side lights.. I assume they light up.

Try to start car. Do lights go out?

If yes, earth problem.. Remove battery earth leads and clean . Reattach.

If lights do not go out and car does not start, possible causes:

ignition switch

key

Starter motor relay.

When you try to start, does fuel pump start humming?

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Thu 24 Nov 2011 02:19
Vauxhall Corsa - Starting Problem - 1litregolfeater

Having recommended an exchange starter motor, I must withdraw my recommendation.

The re-manufactured unit failed within 10 months.

In exactly the same way as the original, makes you wonder.

The place I got it from in Salford swapped it for another that looks just the same.

So ten months from now I'll probably be renewing my intimate acquaintance with the undercarriage of a 1.7 DTI.

I am getting better and faster every time

Ain't life grand

I have actually noticed though that brand new starters are cheap now on a certain auction site, bet they're really good.

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