Astra engine failure?

[maddar88]

Hello, had an astra die on me whilst trying to start. Dash lights and electrics are intermittent when turning key and sometimes NO electricity at all. i was turning the key throughout the day and sometimes i get odd messages about brake fluid level, stability messages. Also headlights come and go, basically the electrical side is all jumpy and random.

Now in thinking that there is a mechanical failure, I not long changed the oil and the dipstick is normal, a friend tried turning the crank but doesnt budge (seized?), with sufficient oil and the fact i had no warning at all ( the car drive smooth and normal), could it be timing chain issue? Any help would be appreciated

[Sheepshanks]

Have you tried jump starting it? Your description sounds like a failing battery, or a poor connection somewhere, possibly a corroded earth connection.

[Vintagejock]

If you can't turn the engine by hand then it's game over. I've no experience of recent vauxhall engines but the mechanical issues are basically all the same.

[maddar88]

Sheepshanks said:

Have you tried jump starting it? Your description sounds like a failing battery, or a poor connection somewhere, possibly a corroded earth connection.

i have but its with with your average leads, maybe needs a higher voltage one or the bateery is completely dead. thiugh when i checked it with the mutimeter hours after it went, it was 12.2v

[maddar88]

Vintagejock said:

If you can't turn the engine by hand then it's game over. I've no experience of recent vauxhall engines but the mechanical issues are basically all the same.

i will be towed to an indy as i havent got the tools, but my suspicion is why it would seize if the oil levels are fine? dipstick shows a good level. My only guess is that the timing broke as this only explains why a car would suddenly mechanically fail

[stevieturbo]

maddar88 said:

Hello, had an astra die on me whilst trying to start. Dash lights and electrics are intermittent when turning key and sometimes NO electricity at all. i was turning the key throughout the day and sometimes i get odd messages about brake fluid level, stability messages. Also headlights come and go, basically the electrical side is all jumpy and random.

Now in thinking that there is a mechanical failure, I not long changed the oil and the dipstick is normal, a friend tried turning the crank but doesnt budge (seized?), with sufficient oil and the fact i had no warning at all ( the car drive smooth and normal), could it be timing chain issue? Any help would be appreciated

Sounds more like a wiring issue or the battery is flat.

Either get a good fully charged battery/booster pack or proper jump leads.

You don't state what engine to even suggest a timing chain. Nor seemingly any history prior to this that would suggest sudden failure or seizure.

Just how did your friend try turning the crank ?

[maddar88]

stevieturbo said:

Sounds more like a wiring issue or the battery is flat.

Either get a good fully charged battery/booster pack or proper jump leads.

You don't state what engine to even suggest a timing chain. Nor seemingly any history prior to this that would suggest sudden failure or seizure.

Just how did your friend try turning the crank ?

So i had an indy come and have a look, the timing belt was perfectly fine and we rolled the car to see if the engine turns, and it did! we tried that several times to see if it can do a few revolutions and that was successful, so mechanically it looks alright.

NExt we looked at the battery, and it only read 5v but when using cheapo leads it only went to 8 and no more. He inspected the wiring and suspects some issues there as when the electrics were intermittent. Sorry for my lack of clarity buy also when he played with the jump leads and earth, dash lights were on and off, depending on where earth was placed.

I will be replacing the battery first and take it from there.

the car is an 2011 astra 1.6 a16xer

[Pit Pony]

That 1.6 petrol engine is usually very resilient.

[Jazoli]

Sounds like all it needs is a battery tbh.

[maddar88]

i hope it isnt nothing more than just some battery/starter wiring issues.

Just for my peace of mind, when we rolled the car and seen the engine physcially turn a few revolutions, that means it isnt seized right?

[stevieturbo]

if it can turn, clearly it is not seized. If there is zero reason for it t be seized, it is unlikely to be seized.

And hopefully you didn't turn it backwards, some engines don't like that.

[E-bmw]

from your first post it was evident that battery would be the likely cause.

Make sure it is FULLY charged before trying again, and you may well need to carry out some OBD resets if there are other warning lights.

FYI 12.6 or 7 volts is a fully charged battery & every 0.1 volt below that is around 20% charge lost so your 12.2 is pretty flat by any measure.

[Ryyy]

Sheepshanks said:

Have you tried jump starting it? Your description sounds like a failing battery, or a poor connection somewhere, possibly a corroded earth connection.

When my missus took on her sisters micra it had a not starting problem, the positive connection was loose been fine ever since tightening it up, the little things, eh?

ETA: I also read on here the 1.4t is known for dieing, is it this engine?

[Pit Pony]

Ryyy said:

ETA: I also read on here the 1.4t is known for dieing, is it this engine?

I hope not.
Mine seems quite strong. I do like to change the oil more regular than Vsuxhall state.