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[Ossimies]

Hello, I have a standard Opel Omega 2.2 Saloon with Z22XE, 4-speed automatic

My main issue is that the car wont crank. Issue appeared few years ago in wintertime when temperatures below -10C. Battery has power but when turning the key, nothing happens, car wont crank. Issue disappeared briefly for a year after a new battery swap but issue has come back. Battery is ok and charging it doesn't make a difference. No indications that starter would have failed. Maybe grounding issue?

Does anyone have electric diagrams for this enginetype? Ideas how the ignition switch is wired? Any relays to watch out for?

[TheBoy]

So when you attempt to crank, nothing happens (ie, no lights dimming etc).

That would imply the starter solenoid ir the solenoid's feed.

First point of call would be to get a meter on the starter solenoid feed, as check for voltage when an assistant tries to crank.

[RallyArde]

I would check that battery connectors/cables are still ok, especially the narrow one that is the positive to starter motor.

[Ossimies]

I investigated the ingnition switch, seemed fine. After that I checked the small cable cable at the battery, connecting to the starter. Fiddling the cable and assistant trying the starter, headlights were coming on randomly. Short while after that that the car started. Checked the cable connections but couldn't find any problems. Connections with multimeter flawless. My guess is that there is a loose/bad relay at the battery box.

[Doctor Gollum]

Sounds like that cable or it's connection to the battery are failing.

Also there's a collection of grounds on the chassis leg below the battery tray that might be heavily corroded.

[TheBoy]

Additionally, the +ve crimp at the battery connector can be suspect on 2.2s, but its usually warm when problematic, and leads to slow (not no) cranking, and headlights dimming when trying to crank.

[Ossimies]

Issue has once again disappeared for a while, so it is difficult to diagnose. This has been going on every once in a while, always during the winter months. I will post here later once the weather warms up and I dig deeper, if I discover anything new.

[Steveh]

I had similar problem the bolts holding the starter motor on were not very tight and causing a poor earth sometimes.

[Steveh]

I found if it wont crank a long implement like a broom handle will reach starter from inside wheel arch to give the starter motor a tap (its hard to get to from above) as a get you home mine worked ok for a while after that until I got around to getting underneath to sort it out.