can anyone help with VZ Monaro engine issues

[WBY 1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close WBY 1]

Nothing Prado related but with a few mechanically minded people on here I thought I'd try to see if someone can help. I have tried searching the internet and I cant really be bothered signing up to a commodore forum:

I've been looking after my mates vz monaro v8 auto for the last 5 or so months. Initially he wanted it driven every 3 weeks but of course the battery kept dying, so its had about 4 jump starts in this time. recently its been driven once a fortnight

On thursday and friday last week I drove it to work to get pink slipped (it failed due to the horn not working), friday evening I drove it home without a drama. On sunday while I was checking the fuse and relay for the horn, i started the motor and its now vibrating badly and sounds very lumpy, kind of like an old school v8. revs are so low that it almost stalls when in N or P, and does when i put it into gear.

fuel is correct, engine oil is good, battery has just been replaced, airbox hasn't been touched, no warning lights on the dash, I've yet to reset the ECU by pulling out the fuse. Up to this point in its life it the monaro hasn't skipped a beat. Does anyone have any ideas on what the issue may be, or things I can look/try before it gets towed to holden? Could this be a MAF sensor problem?

TIA.

[kythan06 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kythan06]

Re: can anyone help with VZ Monaro engine issues

My Brother in law has a similar model statesman that had a similar issue. It turned out to be a busted coil. I have also heard that the plug leads can come loose and though they feel like there connected they might not be. might not solve your problem but worth a look. The other solution is to buy a FORD.

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: can anyone help with VZ Monaro engine issues

If you have been having issues with the electrics and jump starting I would be getting the battery looked at. Sounds like it's on it's way out.

EFI need at least 11.5 volts to operate properly. Under that and all sorts of things can go wrong, including engine detonation from incorrect fuel/air mix which is caused by wrong info going to the ECU and incorrect injector timing/duration. You should get a trickle charger/conditioner to keep the battery in top condition whilst the car sits around for long periods without being driven.

I have a 347 efi cobra which doesn't get out too often. She usually runs a little rough for a couple of corners until the computer remembers what it's supposed to be doing and then the alternator gets going and pushes the volts past the 12v mark. Then it runs sweet.

[fishfinder Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close fishfinder]

Re: can anyone help with VZ Monaro engine issues

agree with bushbasher the battery

[WBY 1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close WBY 1]

Re: can anyone help with VZ Monaro engine issues

I just replaced the battery last night but its still showing the same symptons.

EFI need at least 11.5 volts to operate properly.
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I have a 347 efi cobra which doesn't get out too often. She usually runs a little rough for a couple of corners until the computer remembers what it's supposed to be doing and then the alternator gets going and pushes the volts past the 12v mark. Then it runs sweet.

cars volt meter is showing around 14 volts. I was thinking a drive around the block might bring the computer back into line but when it stalls as soon as I pop it into D it makes doing that a bit difficult. hopefully resetting the ecu might achieve the same thing.

[chester Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close chester]

Re: can anyone help with VZ Monaro engine issues

Check the following in this order speaking from experience

Leads ( but will usually only run rough on 1 cyclinder)
Pull fuse out
Check coil if still running rough (this is usually the problem they just go for no apparent reason)
MAF sesor as a last result

Mine did the same and it was the coil it would stall in drive as the spark was so low it could not get it going under load

[-Junior- Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close -Junior-]

Re: can anyone help with VZ Monaro engine issues

Should have been fixed by vz, but the pcv hose on the side of the throttle body used to deteriate and cause raw air (unmetered) entering the throttle body. This caused the same problem.

Did have problems with coils and leads but never had an airflow meter play up.

I would also check the plugs, did have a few with cracks starting.

Hope that helps.

[Davros Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davros]

Re: can anyone help with VZ Monaro engine issues

Did you use anti zap leads when you jump started it.
Otherwise computer might be suffering from spike damage. ops:

I agree with the above posts.... check leads, coil, and remove plugs. Clean and reset plugs or replace them. Airflow meter would be a long shot compared to the other suggestions. Maybe check the connection to it is solid, but other than that, leave it till later in the diagnostics.

After doing all of above.... off to the Holden man to be plugged in for a look.

Good luck.

[photoprado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close photoprado]

Re: can anyone help with VZ Monaro engine issues

And when you get it running sweetly again, get a Battery Fighter for it. My garage queen goes weeks or even months between outings and it used to kill batteries within a year but not anymore. I found it at Jaycar, but looks like plenty of places sell them now.

Michael

[WBY 1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close WBY 1]

Re: can anyone help with VZ Monaro engine issues

thanks for your responses so far. tonight I swapped the relays to the engine management and fuel pump, checked the ignition fuses, and checked the connections for the leads to the plugs and coils. no joy. I didn't remove the plugs simply bcos theres bugger all space to get my hand in there (what a tight engine bay!). connections to the throttle body and other leads/wiring to parts to do with airflow all seem secure. also haven't removed any coils or replaced the leads and plugs due to lack of time at the moment. might be time for a car trailer and a trip to holden now...

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Re: can anyone help with VZ Monaro engine issues

My brother's mate was looking after his mate's Monaro whilst he was away overseas (follow that?).
Anyway, the fella lived in Toodjay and guess what happened when the fires came though recently? Yes, the Monaro got burnt - no insurance either.

[chester Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close chester]

Re: can anyone help with VZ Monaro engine issues

thanks for your responses so far. tonight I swapped the relays to the engine management and fuel pump, checked the ignition fuses, and checked the connections for the leads to the plugs and coils. no joy. I didn't remove the plugs simply bcos theres bugger all space to get my hand in there (what a tight engine bay!). connections to the throttle body and other leads/wiring to parts to do with airflow all seem secure. also haven't removed any coils or replaced the leads and plugs due to lack of time at the moment. might be time for a car trailer and a trip to holden now...

Time for a trip to holden to plug into the computer me thinks

[Hubble80 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hubble80]

Re: can anyone help with VZ Monaro engine issues

I would be resetting the ECM/PCM/BCM whatever they call it in the VZ. If you are unsure how to do it here it is...

1. Find the 10A fuse under the steering wheel. It will be called ECM/BCM/PCM on the sticker underneath. Remove it.
2. Turn the key to ON (do not try to start the car). This is the position before start and after accessories. The dash lights will come on.
3. You should hear a few Beeps, when they have finished turn the car off and replace the fuse.
4. Start the car and idle it for about 5 mins. This resets the Idle Air Control Valve.

Hopefully this fixes your troubles mate. I had a SS which used to do some strange stuff. Reset used to fix it.

Some Holden dealers do this after a "Road Test" because it resets the Abuse Management.

Good Luck...

[WBY 1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close WBY 1]

Re: can anyone help with VZ Monaro engine issues

I would be resetting the ECM/PCM/BCM whatever they call it in the VZ. If you are unsure how to do it here it is...

1. Find the 10A fuse under the steering wheel. It will be called ECM/BCM/PCM on the sticker underneath. Remove it.
2. Turn the key to ON (do not try to start the car). This is the position before start and after accessories. The dash lights will come on.
3. You should hear a few Beeps, when they have finished turn the car off and replace the fuse.
4. Start the car and idle it for about 5 mins. This resets the Idle Air Control Valve.

Hopefully this fixes your troubles mate. I had a SS which used to do some strange stuff. Reset used to fix it.

Some Holden dealers do this after a "Road Test" because it resets the Abuse Management.

Good Luck...

gave this a crack. couldnt find any fuse under the dash related to the computer but found a 15A under the hood labelled Eng Cont BCM. Followed your instructions above but i didnt get any beeps. ran the motor for 5 mins but its still the same. but thanks for the suggestion.

question about the coil packs: if one of the coil packs had shat itself, would it cause such bad vibration and stall under load, or are they linked together in some way that if one was playing up it would effect the others? also what am I looking for to check the coil packs are ok?

[Hubble80 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hubble80]

Re: can anyone help with VZ Monaro engine issues

Do you know if the engine is 6.0L (L67 260kW) or 5.7L (LS1 245kW)???

Seems strange there was no fuse for it...?

All my Holden V8's had it!!!