VE ex cop car question

[Warpy]

I have an ex Police vehicle and it needs to go to the workshop at Holden to have the squeaking sound fixed due to something not being aligned properly in the engine, it sounds like the fan belt, but I am told these VE's dont have the usual fan belt setup (this is just what I have been told) and the issue is a warranty job.

My question is, if this car has a modified ECU, will Holden remove it? I have heard rumours that they change stuff like this, or will they need my permission?

Cheers

[Reaper]

I have an ex Police vehicle and it needs to go to the workshop at Holden to have the squeaking sound fixed due to something not being aligned properly in the engine, it sounds like the fan belt, but I am told these VE's dont have the usual fan belt setup (this is just what I have been told) and the issue is a warranty job.

afaik they have a serpentine belt like nearly everything else these days. It really depends what is causing the squeak to determine if it's a warranty job or not.

My question is, if this car has a modified ECU, will Holden remove it? I have heard rumours that they change stuff like this, or will they need my permission?

They cannot and will not remove anything from your car without your permission. Be prepared to have your car wiped for electrical and drivetrain warranty however.

Reaper

[Warpy]

They cannot and will not remove anything from your car without your permission. Be prepared to have your car wiped for electrical and drivetrain warranty however.

Reaper

Thanks for the info, but what is "electrical and drivetrain warranty"? I had a mechanic look at the squeak sound and he told me what it was - just cant remember the technical wording around it.

[davey g-force]

I think we need to clarify -

Are you saying you modded the ECU yourself (as in a tune)?

Or are you talking about the mythical "cop chip"?

NB - the latter does not exist.

[Warpy]

I think we need to clarify -

are you talking about the mythical "cop chip"?


NB - the latter does not exist.

I don't need to worry then

[Reaper]

Thanks for the info, but what is "electrical and drivetrain warranty"? I had a mechanic look at the squeak sound and he told me what it was - just cant remember the technical wording around it.

If the ecu has been modified by anybody not expressly authorized by the factory there is a fair chance that your warranty on the engine and electrical system would be voided. If you are talking about the wiring loom mods that are fitted to nearly all police cars for their radios & party lights etc you will be safe. The ecu is not actually modified although it will possibly have a factory fitted uprated alternator.

Reaper

[macca33]

I think we need to clarify -

Are you saying you modded the ECU yourself (as in a tune)?

Or are you talking about the mythical "cop chip"?

NB - the latter does not exist.

Is one of those 'cop chips' like the 'cop shocks,' 'cop engine,' 'cop brakes,' and a microphone?!?!?

[davey g-force]

Is one of those 'cop chips' like the 'cop shocks,' 'cop engine,' 'cop brakes,' and a microphone?!?!?

"And it's the model made before the catalytic converter, so it'll run good on regular gas. What'ya say, is it the new Bluesmobile or what?"

"Fix the cigarette lighter"...

[VicCop]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, police vehicles are not modified in any way. They don't have a magical 'chip' that makes it more powerful. They are as stock at they come. The only more powerful police cars are the ones from the Highway Patrol that have more grunt simply because they are powered by V8 engines.

[Warpy]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, police vehicles are not modified in any way. They don't have a magical 'chip' that makes it more powerful. They are as stock at they come. The only more powerful police cars are the ones from the Highway Patrol that have more grunt simply because they are powered by V8 engines.

ECU hasnt been tampered with by me - it's clear now that the mythical chip doesn't exist.

Thanks

[mattgreen]

lol what is with everyone thinking they have a cop chip if anything ex cop cars have been flogged to the shithouse!

[Brett_jjj]

All the coppers just cruise around slowly out here in the country,they certainly dont flog them,unless its a very rare case of them chasing someone which hardly ever happens around here anyway.I wouldnt mind getting one from around here,plus they are serviced at holden for the time the coppers have them.There should be some really decent ones around I would think,especially the ones from country areas.

[slammedvz]

^^^ i agree, they get serviced every 10,000kms and if something is wrong with them , they just get fixed, i would buy one.

[Warpy]

lol what is with everyone thinking they have a cop chip if anything ex cop cars have been flogged to the shithouse!

Eh?

My car was an unmarked patrol car in Berri (country town) for highway use, it was serviced every 10,000Kms, the history of the vehicle was detailed and it had no issues. I guess I could ask you a similar question.

"lol what is with everyone thinking that a ex cop car has been flogged to the shithouse!"? - Not sure If I quiet got your wording / grammar etc but you catch my drift?

[doms1]

I have seen cop cars mount curbs,flogged ,and all the rest.WHY DO YOU THINK that these days when you buy from Gov auctions it doesn't tell you what departmenthey came from?????

[Warpy]

I have seen cop cars mount curbs,flogged ,and all the rest.WHY DO YOU THINK that these days when you buy from Gov auctions it doesn't tell you what departmenthey came from?????

Because it has nothing to do with the sale. The owner of the vehicle is all that is needed e.g Government SA, Services SA etc, I guess some people would like to have the officer's name and badge number too!

[Drawnnite]

i really thought they upgraded brakes (to bigger discs or calipers) on the police cars to stop them quicker and so on... (did some work exp at holden and they had a few come in, mechanic was telling me)
unless it was for a special purpose....

i reckon they are brilliant cars, just because they are constantly serviced, kept in good condition.
plus you can pick up one from the auctions for cheaper then usual.

[mattgreen]

you realy think they dont flog the cop cars? are you seriouse? i see them 4wd new xr6T's ve ss's. often see them get wheel spin. allways full throttle "chaseing someone" maybe its just the goldcoast...

as for cop chips? no such thing. they have such a high turn over on cars why would they ever bother? they just use stock xr6 turbos or commodore ss's , also getting around here lattely has been a wrx undercover and a golf gti undercover

[toey@carfx]

i 100% agree with not all ex cop cars are flogged. id say 90% of real country cars, im talking towns smaller the 25000 people, are just babied around most of the time. the local cars here just putt around town. even the chasers dont do much. id buy the local ss chaser for sure. about the worst thing that can happen to the country cars in roo damage and a few screw holes inside

[Sabbath']

afaik they have a serpentine belt like nearly everything else these days. It really depends what is causing the squeak to determine if it's a warranty job or not.

They run a serpentine belt yes. There was a problem on some earlier build date models with incorrectly alligned powersteering pump pulleys.

[Drewie]

Thing is how do you know the history on a particular car, how would you find out whether it was a country or metro car or whether ever man and his dog has had a blast in it, or whether it was only driven by the one officer, can't see how you would get that information. And don't believe the salesman when he says he knows it has had an easy life at a loney country station.
There are some good cars out there though, a friend of mine bought one many years back and it was a very good car, the dealer had about 6 of them and there was a big difference in how some of them drove, some just felt a lot nicer than others, my friend picked what turned out to be a good unit, still had no history other than it was an ex police car.

[greenacc]

I reckon you can pick a good unit by the condition of the interior, the body, and the undercarriage. Be it ex cop, fleet, or private its the same story.