Opel Astra won't start if air con is left on

sadie9 · 01-09-2016 9:43am #1

Hi, am having minor trouble with Opel Astra Club 08.
The car is difficult to start if the Air con button has been left on, or if someone has put the radio on before the car is started. It will start after about 4 goes once you turn off the Air con.
Is this a problem developing or is it just something that Astras do?
I got a new battery in it around March of this year.

biko · 01-09-2016 9:47am

Sounds like the battery isn't managing to power both starter and aircon
Can you get it checked? Do you know how to check it yourself?

shietpilot · 01-09-2016 9:50am

If the aircon pulley remains engaged when you are starting the car it will put more load onto the starter and battery because they will have to spin not only the engine but also the aircon compressor. If you turn off the car with aircon turned on the car should disengage this pulley!

Atlantic Dawn · 01-09-2016 10:24am

Yes I'd say battery is the issue, what kind of driving are you doing? If your just doing small 5 mile trips of less with the AC on during this weather the battery will be down in power. Try manually charging the battery with a charger or else taking the car for a long drive.

savagethegoat · 01-09-2016 11:16am

Alternator ,maybe?

Nuw · 01-09-2016 1:28pm

I'm thinking the battery fitted is not the correct one (smaller capacity/power output). Check the car's manual for what's recommended and find out if the one fitted is the same voltage/capacity.

sadie9 · 01-09-2016 6:09pm

Great thanks for those suggestions will check out the battery voltage.
It has no problem (or at least didn't have) starting in the winter normally.
Also I haven't been in a long drive in it for a while, but will be this weekend.

Opel Astra won't start if air con is left on

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