[rimzadera]

Hi guys..

Im here on behalf of my fren who owns Opel Vectra 1.8 year 96-97.
His car have a problem with starting matters. The engine can't be cranked
whenever the key in on "start" position. At the meter panel all lights
(ignition, battery, parking brake..etc) is "on".. however the starter is
not working. according to mech the starter is ok but it is not being
triggered.

This problem occur intermitently.. it may happen today then no problem
tomorrow.. next day it happen again...

those sifu out there pls help my fren.

thanks

rimzadera

[Kiamtiap]

Begin by cleaning the electrical connections... positive wires and ground
wires between battery/alternator and the car. Remove one by one, sand with
high-grade sand paper, reattach, and smear some teflon grease (clear type)
over the surface to prevent corrosion.

Next, if problem still persist, check key ignition unit. A good wireman
could detect if this is the problem. Good luck.

BTW, I like the looks of Vectra... :)

[rimzadera]

kiamtiap..

thanx 4 ur reply.

if there's a posibility that any electronic device has been
deteriorated..? if thats the case, what cud it be..?

thanks again.

[amingo]

hi guys..
do u know any good Opel specialist workshop to do transplant
or could u pass any contact no.

[Kiamtiap]

If you're thinking along the possibility of an electronic device
deteriorated, I could only think of immobiliser or the electronic control
unit (ECU). Not all cars have an immobiliser and the ECU is very
expensive, not even sure if you can get an Opel ECU these days... but why
not try with the earlier suggestions, which cost little money / free to
get done. I have a good feeling it's the wires... between battery and
engine. My wife's previous car, a Renault, showed exactly that symptom
once. And I was new to such a problem... went on to change a battery
(first time since we got the car) and only found out later it was a bad
earth wire... assembled one myself... only cost RM20. But let me remind
you it could be the positive wire too.. had that once on a 3rd generation
Honda Accord... which gave the same symptom.

[rimzadera]

kiamtiap..

thanx 4 ur help..

it really works..! the cheapest solution.. just spray the ignition key
unit with WD40, clean all electronic socket with contact cleaner..then
everything works fine.. i think it is due to poor contact lah..

thanx again.

my location is in kedah.. where were u from..?

[Kiamtiap]

Haa... good for you and your friend. Yes, most likely it's the poor
contacts. Your friend just saved some money and learned something.

You ought to be careful spraying fluid into the ignition. Although it
works, dust and grime may collect within the ignition later on and cause
failures. Once, during my early 20s, my friend dropped some cooking oil
(yes, that fellow used cooking oil) into the ignition and got it working.
However, he soon had to replace the ignition when he failed to start the
car a few days down the road. But in this case, I hope WD40 is ok for use
on ignition.

I'm in Shah Alam.

[rimzadera]

hi Kiamtiap

the problem happened again..actually the car can be started after
spraying WD40 into the ignition key.. but after few days the thing
reoccur..

anyone pls gimme me some idea what cud cause this problem besides
ignition key or poor contact..

thanks..

[johanbrian]

try getting a negative jumper cable and connect one end to the negative
terminal and the other end to the body. then try to start the car. if the
engine cranks and runs, that means its the starter. before u go changing
or repairing them costly starters, try changing the battery terminal
heads first. cost u a few bucks.......if it works then it was cheap
investment. if it doesnt, then your starter really needs sorting out.

[ZZRPilot]

A-ha! Opel owners are back in AW!

Me driving Vectra B X18XE.