HELP NEEDED with Vauxhall Combo Starting Problems

[Ed]

Hi wondering if anyone can pool their experience together to help me out on this one.
Right so yesterday we had a Vauxhall Combo 1.7 DI recovered in. It is a non starter, the bloke parked it at a supermarket, and when he went back to it he couldn’t start it.
Initially I code read it and no DTCs were present. I checked the battery with a drop tester, checked appropriate fuses, however when I went to start it, it wouldn’t turn over. Firstly I checked the feed down to the starter motor, it was receiving 12 volts, but sporadically, presumably a bad earth somewhere, so I cleaned the earth connections and tried again, this time I could hear a clicking when I turn the key, presumably the starter trying to actuate. I gave the starter solenoid a tap and tried to start it. It turned over but would not start. After a few more attempts it became sluggish turning over, so I put the battery on charge.
After charging for a while I tried code reading it again, this time however the scanner wouldn’t connect with the engine. I am now at a stage of going round in circles. I have replaced the battery. I have been advised that the injection pump control unit can be faulty on this engine, and so have replaced that. I am in the process of replacing the starter motor (on a side note, how should the motor be removed? I have got it unbolted and unplugged, but cannot get it out of the space in which it sits), however I am not confident that this will cure it.
So does anyone have any experience of this, or any idea of a solution, or something to try?
To recap its a Vauxhall Combo 2003 plate 1.7 DI, engine code Y17DTL.

Any help is greatly appreciated and I will try to answer any questions as best I can.
Cheers GM92

Topic

[drthrift035]

I suggest that you use this process.

System(s) Electrical + Possibly the Engine

CHECK TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY SERVICE BULLETINS OUT ON YOUR VEHICLE.

Check the components in the system one by one then move on.

1) Battery – Check the CCA level of the battery even if you have to remove it.
Check the wiring that runs to and from the battery. Perhaps internally the wiring is burned out.
Clean off any corrosion that you may notice. Conduct a voltage drop test etc

2) Check the Alternator. See How much it is putting out under load.

3) Check your belts and pulleys for anything unusual. Also check the tensioner

4) Check you Starter to see if it is functioning properly. Take it out and check it internally.

5) Double check to see if your scanner is actually working. It could be malfunctioning.

6) See if you can turn the engine manually with the crank shaft. Internal damage to the engine will cause it not to start.

7) Get a Haynes Service Manual for this vehicle and see what they have to say.

8) Review the following videos for more background.

[Bill]

We don’t have those vehicles in North America as far as starter removal it’s hard to say.

Your best bet is to try and find a service manual. Everything else is basics other than anything electronic that it might have installed. A service manual would be helpful there too.

Until you get it cranking over reliably it’s a pain to diagnose. once it’s cranking you just need the basics for a diesel,fuel,air and compression.

[Author]

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