Is this the dreaded timing chain problem?

dazvin1966

Hello there - new to posting on this site though I have often viewed cars in the gallery and looked at the forums. I own a 51 plate 2.2 SRi 150 saloon, I drove over to my parent last night and everything was fine, however when I went to leave the ignition lights came on but the engine would not turn over - then all hell broke loose! the immobilisor was sounding, hazards were flashing and several warning lights on the dash were going very dim too - and when I popped the bonnet to see if anything was amiss the horn started going! I managed to stop all of these through a controlled panic of pressing the key fob several times and depressing the bonnet open/closed switch - I then removed the battery which resulted in everything sounding off again!! The battery was then checked and appeared to be ok but still I decided to put it on charge overnight. Replaced battery this morning and still nothing! All ignition lights and everything else electrical seems to work ok - lights, radio etc - when I tried to start the engine though this is what happens;
1- Ignition lights on, all lights, heater and radio etc turned off - slight buzzing sound for a few seconds from under bonnet - sounds like fuel pump pressurising?
2- Brake light test - ok.
3- With bonnet raised and looking into engine bay the ignition is cranked - all the I hear is a clicking sound similar to that of a starter motor solenoid trying to engage but more of an electrical sound rather than mechanical?

The car is now stood and I am waiting for a mobile auto electrician to see if he can shed any light on this - anyone on here have any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Darren.

l1ghtn1ng

Sounds more like the immobiliser isnt turning off. Chain problem is usually preceeded by lots of noise and bangs from the engine as the chain snaps and the pistons start chewing valves.

dazvin1966

I really hope that you are right - though is it possible for the chain to "snap" as the engine is stopped or started? I had a mate who's timing belt snapped in between him switching the engine off and then trying to restart it which was very confusing at the time as no-one even thought that the timing belt could have been the problem?

vocky

sounds like a duff starter motor

dazvin1966

I'm gonna have a go on the lottery this week cos my luck must be in - had an auto sparky have a look at my motor and the only problem he found was........................................... completely dead battery! apparently there was 12.4 ish volts there but as soon as a load (ignition) was applied to it then the voltage dropped to 0 volts. Got a new battery and she's as sweet and quiet as ever. Still I suppose that the chain could still go unless the modification has been carried out?
At the moment I have 2 Vaux dealer stamps and 1 non dealer stamp - how do I stand as an owner if I next take the car to a Vaux dealer? should they check and rectify the fault if found or do I need to ask them to look into it? The last 2 sevices were done under my ownership the first being the big service which was carried out by a Vaux dealer and was nearly £300, the second being at a non dealer but still a very good and trustworthy mechanic. Surely the car should have been checked over at Vaux when they serviced the car - though it was a few years ago now, do I have any rights to go back and make sure that the work was checked and made good if required?