GSi won't start... electrical problem? *SOLVED*

[Zakari]

So the full story is I got a guy to install an alarm for my car. Worked alright for a day... then when I went to start it one time it would not kick over. My first guess was the battery was dead, tried jump starter pack, then jumping it from my bros Impreza, then my dad's Falcon. None of them worked so I ruled out the battery. Thought it was the imobiliser but the guy came back and he showed that it worked. He took a reading from the wires he chopped up... and apparently the wire going from the starter motor was returning a reading on the multi-meter which he said it wasn't suppose to do. He goes since the alarm works its not his fault so now I am left with a car that does nto work. Any help you guys can provide will be very much appreciated.

[Super-DA9]

My VTi-R did the same thing. None of it made any sense but it DID turn out to be the immobilizer. I had to get the whole alarm pulled out because it was integrated with the immobilizer, hopefully it's not the same for you and you can take out the immobilizer separately. :(

[Zakari]

That's the thing... the guy did tear out the entire alarm system and it still doesn't seem to work.

[Bulbasaur]

gg. knew someone with fto who bought foglights who got someone to install it and his car wouldnt start. cost him over 1k to fix it. hope u dont have this same prob

[Samm928]

-check fuel pump that it kicks over.
-check all fuses that they arent blown including engine bay fuses


whatdo you see/hear when you tryo to start the car?

[Zakari]

-check fuel pump that it kicks over.
-check all fuses that they arent blown including engine bay fuses


whatdo you see/hear when you tryo to start the car?

Checked all the possible fuses... Everything seems fine and I even swapped out the spares with the appropriate ones incase.
How do I check that the fuel pump kicks over?(Sorry for the noob question)
When I twist the key over to ignition on the dash I get the SRS Light, the exclamation mark, battery and engine light. I also hear some sort of electrical sound I thought was the attenna motor.
Thanks in advance for the help mate.

[GSi_PSi]

you should hear the fuel pump prime, when on igntion , maybe ur starter motor is dead

[Zakari]

you should hear the fuel pump prime, when on igntion , maybe ur starter motor is dead

I think that might be what I am hearing... I hope... hmmm... might need to wait till monday to get it checked out... would love it to be a cheap fix though.

[mugen_ctr]

My best bet would be the immobilizer, an it seems before this installation came along, the car was working fine, my car done the same thing, but luckily it turned out the remote control battery's died... but there was one time where i had to remove the battery to disconnect the immobilization by removing the battery than putting it back in, and i was stuck in the city, hahahahaha, soo lucky that day

[Zakari]

My best bet would be the immobilizer, an it seems before this installation came along, the car was working fine, my car done the same thing, but luckily it turned out the remote control battery's died... but there was one time where i had to remove the battery to disconnect the immobilization by removing the battery than putting it back in, and i was stuck in the city, hahahahaha, soo lucky that day

Thats the thing though... the immobiliser as well as the entire alarm system has been removed... so I am not sure... I might just disconnect the battery and reconnect it tomorrow and see if that does anything

[slimx]

yes plaese IT IS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ALARM GUYS PLEASE STOP SUGGESTING IT.

Usuually the ENGINE light goes on for about 5 seconds, when the fuel pump is engaging.
Check these:

Check IF YOU GOT PETROL some times you can forget that lol
Check your OIL (some cars have enough sensors to stop the car)
Run a simple ECU check there are many methods of doing this yourself search DIY for this
Try getting a big FLAT HEAD SCREW DRIVER and tapping the STARTER motor whilst someone is trying to start the car (often it can be an earthing issue). The starter motor sits below the distributor along the left hand side of the engine (WHEN YOUR LOOKING AT THE ENGINE) its like a cylinder? usually .. blackish jst hit a few things with the flat head sumfns bound to happen
Get someone to check wires WHILST trying to turn the key see if anyfin moves or has power goin thru (test light)
If all else fails msut be SOME KIND of FUSE or ECU error.

[Zakari]

yes plaese IT IS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ALARM GUYS PLEASE STOP SUGGESTING IT.

Usuually the ENGINE light goes on for about 5 seconds, when the fuel pump is engaging.
Check these:

Check IF YOU GOT PETROL some times you can forget that lol
Check your OIL (some cars have enough sensors to stop the car)
Run a simple ECU check there are many methods of doing this yourself search DIY for this
Try getting a big FLAT HEAD SCREW DRIVER and tapping the STARTER motor whilst someone is trying to start the car (often it can be an earthing issue). The starter motor sits below the distributor along the left hand side of the engine (WHEN YOUR LOOKING AT THE ENGINE) its like a cylinder? usually .. blackish jst hit a few things with the flat head sumfns bound to happen
Get someone to check wires WHILST trying to turn the key see if anyfin moves or has power goin thru (test light)
If all else fails msut be SOME KIND of FUSE or ECU error.


I'll have a go with some of your suggestions tomorrow mate and report back unless you want to pop over and have a gander?
You fix the problem I'll throw in a free photoshoot of your car =)
Either way will report back and let you guys know.

[mnc]

I would check

* Battery, just incase it's weak and does not have enough juice to start
* Dizzy, Check for spark out the spark leads.
* Fuel, undo the fuel line and put your car into ignition. if fuel squirts out then it's not fuel related. If nothing comes out, then that is one step closer to knowing why your car doesn't start

Start with the basics and move on.

[Zakari]

So here is what happens when I try to turn it on... from the fuse box under the bonnet I hear a tick tick noise... from what I think its the intake manifold I hear some sort of suction.

[mnc]

When i get a tick tick noise at work, most cases its the battery. try jump starting it with another car.

[Zakari]

Hahaha wish it were that simple mate, I tried with a jump starter pack then my brother's impreza followed by my dad's falcon. So I assume it's not the battery.

[RJL]

Hey mate had the same problem, check if your grounding wires are grounded properly.

[Bludger]

have you tried other jumper leads?

they could be faulty.

[Zakari]

Soooo... the problem has been solved by a fellow member who came over and had a look at it for me. It was simply a grounding wire. Not the main one but the one just underneath the airbox that goes to the gearbox I think it was. The alarm installer must've loosened it when he screwed the siren in place.