No power and warning light

charlieja

Ok,

so, I was cruising on motorway just doing about 75, and without any warning the car just stoped working, no power from accelerator at all, and couple of warning lights came on, one was a triangle with a car in the middle that looks like its skidding, sorry cant remember the other. When I turn the key now, all the electrics turn on, but it wont start.

Anyone come across this, or any suggestions would be great!

vocky

does the engine crank over ?

if it cranks then possibly the chain has snapped 🙁

if not possibly the alternator has died dunno..

JohnnyN

What is it with alternators lately?? I replaced the Zafira alt at the weekend. 120 amp and to the tune of £205 +VAT!!

charlieja

Thanks for the reply,

Alternator was my first thought....Have to ask dumb question, but what exactly do you mean by if it 'cranks' ...think I know just making sure!
Also had crank sensor suggested?

JohnnyN

Cranks...Does the engine turn over when you turn the key?

charlieja

Hum, well, hard to explain, when I turn the key, its like the battery is flat it tries to fire for couple of seconds but then just dies, cant hear or feel the engine turn over, just the sounds like something is spinning for couple of seconds...really hope that chain hasnt snapped!

JohnnyN

The sound that you're hearing is probably the electric power steering motor. What if you try connecting up another battery (jump start)?

charlieja

ok, tried bumping it no luck, also put it in first gear and turned the key just to make sure it was cranking and it moves forward...can hear a buzz when I turn key so I think the fuel pump working ok and changed fuel filter about a month ago...

Back to alt then?

charlieja

OK,

so managed to get hold of a dianostic...Big list, but heres what came out

P0378
Timing ref high
Resolution Signal B
Intermitent eratic pulse Signal B
C3F83
U3111
Pressure Control P0778 PD
Solonoid B Electrical
B0387 PD
U1000

MikeS

none of it is relevant and i very much doubt has anything to do with your problems

p0378 does not exist on this engine and is ignored with proper readers - as your car is not running then obviously there is no crank signal - use to be a common misconception with the older type ecotec engines and code readers throwing out crank sensor faults

the rest is not engine related

start at mechanical

pull out plugs and crank over car - you should see fuel mist coming out of the spark plug holes - get someone to watch
make sure you are getting spark from the coil pack so pull out coil pack and put one of your spark plugs in the coil pack and make sure it is earthing against something metal and look for spark on crank over car

come back when you have done these m8

charlieja

Ok,

done that, the plug sparked ok, but when i checked for mist, three of them seemed ok, but the last one there were little black bits flying out into my eye!

Maybe nothing, but there was also oil on forth plug, the other just had bit of carbon on them.

Also, only checked one outlet on the coil pack, should I check all four?

MikeS

should still fire up on three cylinders imo

so u get spark & fuel and no relevant engine codes

are all the lights going out on your dash with ignition on ?

charlieja

only lights that stay on are...

Alternator light (Handbook says this should go off when car started)
Engine electronics (Tap looking warning light)
and one that isnt oin the handbook, its a square with a star in the middle, possibly aircon?

Just to check something, how much mist/spray should there be? should it be very obvious, its just couple im looking and thinking "is that spray im not sure lol"