battery cutting out on Corsa B!

[-shorty-]

I have a 2000 reg 12v corsa b with a early xe in it, it has been running in the car for over a year now. the other day i was having problems with the starter, at first it was just clicking when i was trying to start it, my first thought was my batter was on its way with the cold weather affecting it, there was no dimming of the dash light just flickering, it started right up after 4 or 5 goes, the next morning it happened aegean but did not want to start, this time it was cutting all the electric's from the car, ignition was fine and as soon as i went to start the car, everything in the car cut out for 20/30 seconds, i gave it a jump and it started right up and ran fine.

so i was thinking i need a new batter because it might not have enough current to turn the engine, got a brand new bosch one and the same thing is happening, as soon as a go to start the car, it cuts everything out, i thought i would try the light and indicators so when i did, it is cutting the full car out as-well!! my head is in a real pickle as it just happened over night! nothing new has change to the car that i have done.

i am now thinking there is a ground problem some were, could that be right, any specific place to look, could it be a short circuit some were!? and anything off the top of your heads were it could be.

As much feed back as possible will be gate as at this time of the year the car is more needed than normal.

Thank you steven

[Dom]

If *everything* is cutting out when you try and start it then check the battery to body ground first.

You could also try running a live from the battery and touch it on the starter motor briefly to see if this kicks the engine over (leave ignition off).

[wkdkris]

check the main battery cables from the negative and trace them. one should come straight off and earth the body, and 1 should go the the engine. check they are tight and secure. check the cables going to the starter both positive and negative. if its just clicking the starter though, sounds like the solenoid or starter has failed. a failed motor will pull HUGE current and suck it from everything else

dont rush out for a motor or battery though as i learnt last week! (bought battery, alt, and motor for nothing!!!)

[-shorty-]

Is that the same as taking the live from the starter and bridging it to the switch live?

[Dom]

If you mean bridging both terminals on the starter (obviously not the ground if it has one) then yes.

This rules out a bad connection between the solenoid and the ignition switch.

[-shorty-]

NEW INFO!!! i for got to mention that my battery is in the boot, i have made a ground on the bottom of the passenger seat, bolted it were the seatbelt bolts in, and i have two grounds in the engine bay bolting to the bulk head,

interesting readings i got yesterday with the multimeter, i was doing a continuity test and connected it the the earth and the ign live and the the starter feed from the ign barrel, it showed i had a connection with them!!!not good i would think???

[Dom]

You need 3 connections to test the starter motor.

Big thick live to the starter motor from the battery live
Decent ground
Low current trigger for the solenoid (thin live wire).

If you use jumper wires from the battery to each of these in turn then you can elimitate which part of the system is causing issues.

I.e. if you run a jumper cable from the battery live to the starter motor large terminal and it all works then you can then trace the battery live to starter circuit and repair that.

Its just a process of elimination.

If you do a continuity test between ground and the starter solenoid wire you will get a reading - the solenoid is just a coil between the solenoid wire and ground.

[-shorty-]

i have narrowed it down to the loom that runs through the bulk head at the drivers foot well. there is a thick back wire that goes to my positive battery, when i disconnected that, the car started right up with no hick-ups, once i connect it, it trips the full car out, i have done a continuity test between the thick black live and ground, i am getting a reading that there is a connection.

This cant be right?

What am i up against!

[Dom]

Does the car have an aftermarket alarm / immobiliser ?

[-shorty-]

nope, it is just stock! i had rewired the ignition for a push start, this has all been tested and is eliminated from the equation.

[-shorty-]

Where does this wire lead to? Does this support the dash live?

[Dom]

Not a clue I'm afraid Not familiar with the Corsa wiring but black wires on Vauxhalls are generally switched ignition live wires