Help! Bakkie won't start

I

ipodmusicman

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Hey folks,

The start of 2011 was not good. Already I had to have my geyser replaced and a leaky pipe fixed in my roof and number 3 on the list is my Opel 2004 Corsa bakkie 1.4i.

I just got back from a 3 week holiday and when I attempted to start it, it wouldn't start - only a click when I turned the key. This was a typical symtym of the battery beaing dead, so I replaced the battery. I then attempted to start the car and with no luck. At least I can hear the starter motor attempting, but the engine isn't kicking in. I knew I was low on fuel so I put 4 liters in and still no luck. I've run out of fuel before and was able to start the car with 2 litres.

I cannot get the car to a mechanic to check it out so I'm pretty stuck with one of two options. Get somebody to come around to check it out or have the car towed somewhere. I cannot imagine that this is a big issue, so getting somebody who is knowledgable on cars would be the best option at the moment.

Is there anybody here that will be able to help me out? I live in Parklands, Cape Town. I'm despirate!

Thanks
 
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Does the starter motor turn at all? Put the car in 5th and push it a little bit and then try starting it again.
 
The starter motor does turn. The engine just doesn't wanna kick in. There is nothing that suggests that the engine is even trying to kick in. I managed to find a guy who is coming to the house this evening to check it out - hopefully it is something that is easy to fix ... like pushstarting it or even checking the fuel pump to see if it is actually pumping fuel to the engine.
 
As ponder said, put the car in top gear and then rock it back and forward, that can very often get everything to lock into place. Give it a try.
 
In the first post you say that its making a click ??? .... that means the starter is not even turning.
Like the others said .... rock the car in 5th or 4th gear to loosen the starter ....
alternatively take a hammer and lightly tap the starter / solenoid(smaller part on top of starter).

This is usually a sign that the started(bushes) / solenoid needs service/replacement. ;)

You also say in your post the starter is attempting .... does this mean it's not clicking anymore after replacing the battery ?
 
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@COMPUTEK before I replaced the battery, there was only a click because the battery was so dead that the starter didn't even budge, but after I replaced it, then the starter motor was fine, but the engine didn't kick in.

@Fazda I was going to try your suggestion, but I was the only one here - my wife was out - I would of needed some help since I am sure my car would of rolled down the driveway and into the road and there was no way that I was going to try and push it up again. hehehehehe.

But all is well now. I found a mechanic who came to my house to check it out. The problem was that fuel was not getting into the fuel rail which feeds fuel into the engine, so he got under the car to the fuel tank and fuel pump. He losened the fuel line to see if fuel was being pumped through as well - not much was happening. He gave the fuel pump and tank a bang here and there and the fuel started moving through. The car started 100% Because there was virtually no fuel in the tank before my holidays, and during the 3 weeks with the car standing still, the fuel dried up in the fuel pump and got a bit clogged. He did give me details which made a lot of sense which I cannot resite here since I don't remember, but at the end, we got the fuel through and voila - the car started.

Thanks for your suggestions guys. Most appreciated a lot. I am just so happy that it isn't anything that would of costed me the earth.
 
To the OP, best replace that fuel filter, around R100 from GM. Get it from GM because pretty much everywhere else is going to charge you the same price for lesser items (eg. they sell you their own brand crappy brand, rather than the OEM GM filter).

satanboy said:
Ok, now sell it and buy a better vehicle (ie not an Opel). lol
Click to expand...
Would have happened with any car.
 
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And never drive a car till it's completely empty.
Luckily it was a petrol, with a diesel it's even more hassels!
 
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