Car won't start after fitting new radio :(

SparkZ

Hi guys, I have a very strange issue I was wondering if you can help me with.

I've got an Astra 2.2 and just fitted a brand new Pioneer DEH-P7000UB head unit. It was all working perfectly until I pressed one of the buttons on the steering wheel. There is no adapter for the steering controls so I assumed it wouldn't do anything. Next thing the ABS warning light comes on and a strange buzzing noise coming from under the bonnet. I was like "WTF????!!" So I pressed another button on the head unit and then the airbag warning light came on. EH?!! Then the fuel gauge started moving randomly. I turned everything off, ripped out the head unit and Pioneer to ISO loom that came with it, then tried to start the car. It died instantly the moment you try to fire up with the engine not turning and all the lights on the dash go out. 🙁 The battery seems to be flattened as well as the power windows have slowed right down. This was only after four 10 second turnovers. Could it be the strange noise was heavily draining the battery?

Thought it might be something to do with the ECU so I took the negative off the battery for 3 hours then reconnected. The dash lights went out as normal and the engine did turn over but didn't start and it was lumpy as hell. The ABS and airbag lights came straight back on again but NOT the engine or spanner lights. Now the battery has been flattened and it won't even start off a booster battery!!

Next thing to try was my fault code reader. Hooked the laptop up to my ELM327 which has worked in the past and it can't connect to the ECU- just times out. I hope this hasn't somehow killed the ECU otherwise I'm in trouble. So with the car stuck on the drive I really don't want to empty my wallet at the Vauxhall dealer.

Sorry for the long post, any comments would be appreciated. Cheers

Mark_Dj

Strange one that. I know the Vectra C has a different wiring system to the older Vecs, so you may have wired something up a little wrong? Or was it a straight plug in job? Take the battery lead off for 30 mins to re set the Ecu and them see what happens.

robo22sri

check the radio loom, sounds like the radio is still on when the ignition is off ts case of swappin 2 wires round, and check for trapped wires they may be earthing out no metal work

SparkZ

Yeah it was a straight plug in job and the radio was straight out of the car as soon as I noticed the problem. I've also tried the battery off trick as well.
I wonder if it was a dodgy head unit as it was off Ebay, but it looked brand new (as it should have been) and was still in the original packaging.
Anyhow, I'm off to check all the fuses....

vocky

sounds like a duff battery ?

robo22sri

you had any luck yet mate? is the fuses ok?

robo

deano1

id say a duff battery maybe flattend it while playing with the stereo warning lights will come on if there isnt enough charge in the battery try jump starting it.

SparkZ

Fuses all OK. The battery is very low but the engine will turn over on a booster battery and not start. It's got to be something more complicated because the central locking isn't working either notsure.gif
I've deduced the whirring noise is the ABS pump running constantly, which I believe is what has drained the battery. This is sounding expensive. I'm gonna have to ring the dealer on Monday to see if a Tech 2 will reveal anything. My fault code reader says the ECU isn't responding.

MikeS

suggest u start looking at the wiring to see if anything is fried especially around the ecu

what i would do is get a haynes manual and find out a bit more concerning the wires you were hooked up to and what else they are connected too

my guess is that some wires have fried and fused together behind your dash caused by a bad earth

vxhall will prob quote you for a new wiring loom if any damage to existing one and then charge you labour to take dash out - i would get an auto electrical place and get them to check it over

SparkZ

Finally sorted it!! Hooked up the booster battery again this afternoon and the strange noise from under the bonnet disappeared. Also the lights on the dash looked all normal. It took a good few attempts at cranking over but eventually fired up. My fault code reader can now detect the ECU so thankfully that hasn't been damaged, and also shows no fault codes. I've no idea what caused this but just happy that I can drive to work tomorrow!

Plugged the head unit back in and it seems to be working fine. As a few of you mentioned I've double checked all of the wiring and taped up all the connectors to make sure none come loose.

Thanks again guys for all your suggestions!