UK Car Repair: 1999 vectra 1.8 ls hatch, battery connections, alternator

Question
if it is a drain or charging prob will that be the alternator


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The text above is a follow-up to ...

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how do you mean fidgeting with the key is an easy way to see what? sorry for my lack of understanding
you dont think its the alternator or starter then?

more thanks

neil
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

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Hi Willliam

Hope you can help it would be appreciated.

I have had a little problem with the management light coming on a couple of times in the last year but not thought too much about it.The car wouldnt start but it only lasted a few minutes then it would go again.However on xmas day after visiting friends I went out to start the car and nothing.The lights came on but as soon as I turned the key it went dead. I got a push and it went away.When i got home turned it off then tried to start again and nothing.Then the management light started flashing and it wouldnt start even with a push. Then it stopped flashing and it started with a push again but nothing off the key.  
Is there anything you can suggest Ilike to do my own repairs if possible.

Many thanks in advance

Neil
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It sounds like a power loss problem, check that the battery connections are clean and tight and that the battery is fully charged. Sometimes a fault like this can come from the ignition switch, fidgeting with the key is the simple way to check it. Other than that it likely to be in the main control Unit, all you can do there is check all plugs and connectors.
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As I said it seems like a power loss problem and to check the battery first, if the battery is low then it has a drain or a charging problem.  If it is a bad ignition switch then moving the key around in the lock will often cause the fault to occur. From your description of "no lights" it is not the starter.

Answer
A drain means something is on and drawing power from the battery-typically interior,boot or glove box lights, but it could be anything. The system needs to be checked for a drain. A charging problem can be the alternator, a connection, or a bad battery. The alternator output needs to be checked.