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[snackeroo]

 Hi Guys'
Nice to meet you all. Good to find out there is some dedicated practical experience out there.
This problem has been giving me grief for over a month now. When car does go you would never think there was a problem, no funny noises, missing, nothing, goes like a dream. Then she will just not start. Have called breakdown. They usually take about 2 hours to turn up then miraculously she starts straight away as soon as he opens the bonnet. Crankshaft sensor was replaced December 18th 2006 due to separate non starting period which turned out to be the fuel pump. This was renewed in January 2007.
This last week car refused to start all week. No spark. He couldn't start it either.Car was towed to the local main dealer. Breakdown mechanic suggested immobilisor problem with key fobs not reading code?Apparently only the main dealers can deal with this.
Guess what, car started first time next morning and they cannot find anything wrong. They are keeping it in for observation! Your comments greatly appreciated.

[hotel21]

Howdoo, and welcome.  Moved to gen help for a quicker response as not everyone looks in here!!  

[Markie]

has it been "paperclip" tested for known / stored fault codes?

[TheBoy]

Yes try paperclipping it, to check if ECU thinks there is a problem.

My gut feeling is you will have a code 19 stored...

Does it stall, or is it purely starting that sounds problematic?

[snackeroo]

Thanks Guys for replies. I have not personally done the paperclip test but it is in with the main Vauxhall dealer as we speak and i am pretty sure they have put it on their diagnostics kit. I phoned them yesterday for an update and as the car is running they have found no faults. They are asking me for more symptons ie did the eng management light come on. No. Car either starts or not. When running it does not stall, missfire or give any sign things are amiss.They like you also suspect the crankshaft sensor( which was replaced in December 06) or the air flow valve. Are there any tests on these items to eliminate them?. One thing i would like to mention is that before petrol pump was diagnosed as cause of starting problem back christmas time. it used to start first time on the button. After new pump fitted it takes 2 to 3 turns of the starter to get going and sometimes you get a knock as she tries to fire. I suspected fuel system maybe not pressurised but not sure.Anyway when car wouldn't start  recentlyi connected a simple timing light up and there was no spark. I will update you when i hear back from main dealer tuesday. In the meantime i apreciate your input.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Thanks Guys for replies. I have not personally done the paperclip test but it is in with the main Vauxhall dealer as we speak and i am pretty sure they have put it on their diagnostics kit. I phoned them yesterday for an update and as the car is running they have found no faults. They are asking me for more symptons ie did the eng management light come on. No. Car either starts or not. When running it does not stall, missfire or give any sign things are amiss.They like you also suspect the crankshaft sensor( which was replaced in December 06) or the air flow valve. Are there any tests on these items to eliminate them?. One thing i would like to mention is that before petrol pump was diagnosed as cause of starting problem back christmas time. it used to start first time on the button. After new pump fitted it takes 2 to 3 turns of the starter to get going and sometimes you get a knock as she tries to fire. I suspected fuel system maybe not pressurised but not sure.Anyway when car wouldn't start  recentlyi connected a simple timing light up and there was no spark. I will update you when i hear back from main dealer tuesday. In the meantime i apreciate your input.

What a bunch of muppets.....airflow valve....what the hell are they talking about. They are clearly not much cop as with Tech2 its easy to rule out many of the sensors by analysing live data and carrying out actuator tests plus, they should know dam well what sensors affect starting (which the likes of the MAF on the V6 do not).

With no crank signal, you get no injectors firing and no spark.

I suspect the sensor when replaced has been poorly routed and its failed prematurly, in our maintenance guide we recommend an alternative route to ensure the cable is not exposed to the level of heat soak it gets when its simply dropped down the back of the engine!

[JamesV6CDX]

Gloucester? I'm in Cheltenham, give me a shout if you want me to take a look

[theowletman]

Try this - Hold your ignition key in your hand with no key rings or stuff attached to it, shake it gently next to your ear and listen for a rattle. It is possible that the small black electronic chip has been dislodged inside your key, especially if it is a combined key and remote, i.e. no seperate remote. If the chip is not in the correct place the reader near the ignition barrel may not be able to read it. If you open the key ( carefully ) there should be a small black chip, looks like pencil lead, near the metal shank end of the key, held in place by plastic grooves. If this has worked its way loose you can hold it in place with ONE drop of superglue to prevent it happening again.

[JasonH]

Sounds very much like the crank sensor to me.

A mate had a crank sensor problem and the Vx main dealer couldn't find the fault.

Their 'solution' was to change the car battery.....and they fitted the wrong one....

[monza789]

Hi MATE.

I had a very similar problem......replaced the crank sensor again and hey presto its ok now.

These blooming crank sensors are crap m8 believe me......ive had 3 in 18 months.  I didnt think it would be that same item again so soon but it was...!!  I was told quite correctly that they are simply a piece of electrical equipment that can fail at any time.....and because these fail often you shouldnt rule it out. The diagnostics wont show the crank sensor up as a problem. It could even be your DIS Box faulting which allows it to start sometimes and then not other....!!!

I would plump for crank sensor first though.

cheers
Monza

[snackeroo]

Thanks again Guys, All good positive advice. Interesting point about the Chip in key fob. Both keys have been dropped regularly, well worth checking this out.
Thanks James in Cheltenham may take you up on your offer if Baylis don't deliver and i still have some dosh left.
The old crankshaft sensor keeps rearing its ugly head and i think i will have a go at that after Main dealers speak to me on Tuesday. Be interested to know the preferred route of cable?
Thanks for MAF info, At least something can be eliminated
Will post any update Tuesday after speaking to main dealers.(They are checking & holding car hoping she will fail to start and replicate fault)
Many thanks all.

[Dazzler]

Good luck with them Vauxhall main stealers matey..

[snackeroo]

 :)Hi, Got car back from main dealers and gotta say well done to all you guys who were convinced it was the crankshaft sensor. I have given it a good few runs since  picking her up Tuesday.
Car apparently failed to start friday PM and Saturday morning and Technician( who i think took it on as a personal challenge) diagnosed crank sensor. Changed it out and its been going ever since. I still haven't got my confidence back in her just yet , but its looking up
Surprisingly they didn't take me to the cleaners with the bill. They did a tech 2 diagnostic + providing and fitting the sensor and a free health check £146.00.
Not bad sice they had the car for nearly a week. Either that or they could see the despair in my face when i took it in.
Anyway they put a note on the health check comments " clicking noise from underneath rear of car when applying brakes" But did not elaborate as to what it might be. But thats another post.
Thanks again guys for the positive comments and getting the crank sensor right.It certainly helped me a lot after a month trying to sort it out.
Regards
Rod