Opel Astra - Trouble Starting

[Ray Duffy]

1997 Astra, erratic problems starting. Sometimes starts perfectly, other times struggles and sometimes point blank refuses.

Turnign over, but not starting. No real pattern. Might start perfectly in the morning, might not. Might start after being ten minutes idle, might not. Refused to start the other morning, still refused at 5pm. Refused to start at 8am this morning, started at 8.30. Started perfectly at 6pm yesterday evening, went to shop, came out of shop and struggled to start, etc. etc - you get the picture!

Every time mechanic looks at it, it starts perfectly!

Have had the car for a few years, so it's not that I'm not used to it and doing something wrong.

Don't know if there could be any possible connection, but another minor fault has arisen with the central locking, which works as and when it feels like it from driver door, seems to work always from passenger door.

Also, when driving (clear straight road), can occasionally "miss" for a split second.

Driving me mad, totally unreliable at the moment!!

[tich]

Suspect ignition module amplifier. Little black box, normally by or under coil on nearside wing. UK cost is approx £40 so may want another opinion first before you splash out.

But these can give exactly symptoms you got. Also check plug leads, replace with a good quality set if in any doubt. Replace spark plugs and distributor cap if old also. May be wise to do these first before the black box and see if any difference?

Keep us posted?