I have a 98 VS Commodore Ute. Auto with a V6 Ecotec. I've always had a problem when trying to start it. When I turn the key nothing happens. The lights etc comes on and sometimes it makes a whirring noise but nothing else. After a couple of tries it eventually starts. Just recently it's just started splutttering and rumbling for aslong as you turn the key foward but won't kick over. I'm assuming it's just the starter motor and hoping it's nothing more costly and sinister. Any advice or opinions would be appreciated. Cheers.
Kinda hard to work out, coz that sounds like multiple problems... If the starter motor is turning the car over its not your problem, if its throwing out and just spinning and not turning the motor over then it could be a problem. But if its spluttering and rumbling that sounds like its actually turning over so the starter motor is doing its job and the problem is elsewhere. When troubleshooting something like that you really just gotta go with the basics, spark air and fuel... If you know its getting those 3 then it gets a bit more complicated.
Could be the battery - how old is the battery and is it charged? Get a jump off another vehicle and see if it starts first go. Stick a meter on it, check if the voltage drops as you turn the key.
The sparks and leads were replaced not that long ago. I've tried again and the starter sounds like it's trying to kick it over but it's not starting. When this first happened, I think it actually kicked it over for a few seconds and it sounded sick and irregular and just conked out. I'm starting to think it's not the starter motor
So I've stuck a multimeter to the battery and checked all the fuses. I can hear all the fuel gadgets ticking away at the front end of the car but can't hear the fuel pump (behind the seats) doing anything. So my dreaded suspicion is somewhat confirmed being the fuel pump has **** itself. These things are notoriously difficult to replace in VS utes
