I turn key on my zafira and nothing happens, all the lights come on, the AA checked all my fuses and battery, all are fine, the starter motor is not even trying to turn, nothing happens whatsoever, also the car will not jump start so i'm assuming that rules out a starter motor fault.

Stan., December 2010

Problem sorted, it was a corroded wire within the immobiliser sytem, so the wire was replaced. reconnected and a software update run to clear all faults and restore system. The garage were great spent about five hours trying to source the problem, and couldn't so brought in a mobile auto electric specialist, but garage only charged for one hours labour of £45 and the specialist was £135, which i thought was reasonable.

Stan, January 2011

Did the car break down as you were driving or did you park it as normal and it wouldn't start when you went back to it?

Try clipping one end of a jump lead to the battery negative and the other end to the engine to rule out an earthing problem.

laguna, December 2010

Cdc, many thanks again for your reply, yes the immobiliser light is acting normally, but that is how the car is behaving, as though it is immobilised, but thank you i really appreciate your help with this.

stan, December 2010

Hi Stan,without seeing the motor it is difficult to say what your problem is and would not want to doubt the AA bloke who are usually quite good at what they do,but think he should at least have checked the belt for you,but for some reason your starter isn`t cranking the engine over,if you have a test lamp or voltmeter check the small wire on the starter for a feed,on some motors there is a fusible link between the battery and starter but not sure on your motor,is there an immobiliser light on your dash behaving normally also,just some ideas but good luck anyway

cdc, December 2010

Fred, The AA guy tried to tow start me to no avail, to be honest he was very vague, checked fuses and battery, all ok, said it would be starter motor but after no luck with the tow start, just said he couldn't understand why it wouldn't jump and maybe there's a problem with the engine?? just as he was leaving he said maybe it was the timing belt, but never checked.

stan, December 2010

Just to clarify, did you try jump start (using leads and donor battery/boost pack) or bump start (Push or tow the car, put it in gear and dump the clutch)?

fred, December 2010

cdc, thanks,
If thats the case, would i not get anything, not even the starter trying to attempt to start?, also would the AA guy have been able to pick up on this, cause he was very vague, saying things like, "i cant understand why it wont jump" and "maybe you've done somthing to your engine" right at the end he said maybe it's the timing belt. Any firther help would be appreciated.

Stan, December 2010

check the small wire on the starter solenoid gets 12v when trying to crank over,if so as long as the connections are ok at starter and battery then replace the starter

cdc, December 2010