Insignia Intermittent Starting Issue

Hey! Intermittent issues are the worst, aren't they? A visually intact fuse can still be defective, especially if there's a hairline crack you can't see. Before diving too deep, let's consider a few things. When you say 'fails to start', does the starter motor even engage, or is it completely dead when you turn the key? 'Cause if the starter isn't even trying, then we're looking at things like the starter motor itself, the solenoid, or even the wiring leading to them. That could also explain the engine shutting off – if the power supply to the ignition system is cutting out. It's less likely, but a faulty crankshaft position sensor can cause rough running and shut-offs, too. Do you have access to an OBD2 scanner to check for any stored fault codes? That could give us a clue.

Thank you for the detailed response. When it fails to start, there is absolutely no response from the starter motor. It is completely dead. Regarding the OBD2 scanner, I do not have one myself. I was hoping to avoid taking it to a workshop if it was something simple that I could resolve myself.

Right, no starter engagement points us away from the crankshaft sensor, which is good. Given it's totally dead, and you've checked the fuses, it's getting harder to diagnose without proper tools. A dead starter could be the motor itself, or the solenoid – which is basically an electrical switch that tells the starter to go. Thing is, diagnosing electrical faults often means poking around with a multimeter to see where the power stops. Without one, you're kinda stuck. So, as much as I hate to say it, it might be time to bite the bullet and take it to a workshop. They can properly diagnose the starter circuit, check for voltage drops, and pinpoint the faulty component. Plus, they'll have a proper OBD2 scanner to rule out anything else.

I appreciate your thorough advice. Based on your recommendation, I took the vehicle to a local workshop. It turned out to be a defective fuse, as initially suspected. Although it appeared intact, it was not conducting properly. The replacement cost was 52€. Thank you again for your assistance!