Bought a Vp Calais.

[dans_vz]

Hi all,
I have just bought a VP Calais, picked it up for $1500 with 220thou on the clock, needs the paint on bonnet fixed up and a few scratches hear and there. Good buy I think (used to own a VP Berlina).

I have a couple of issues that I wanted some help on:
The car runs a bit rich on fuel and also doesn't really move off the temp gauge unless I leave it idiling for ages, could this be coolant temp sensor?
I'm going to replace that, air filter was also really dirty so I replaced that already.

The central locking has an issue, the rear left door doesn't lock with the central locking at all, why could this be? And the front left door is really hard to lock so it is making the central locking try to lock but wont and they all pop back up again.

The auto fluid smells cooked and the auto seems like its making the car really sluggish when the car is cold like doesn't want to shift into 2nd gear for ages, and when doing 110 on the freeway and going up a hill it wont kick back I just hear a vibration like its trying to get it to kick back but cant do it. I think it might also be a bit low on fluid, how am I meant to check it properly?
(Going to put a manual gearbox in at some point)

Thanks everyone.

[dans_vz]

anyone?....

[rob drag racer]

no offense but theres no way i would pay 1500 for a vp Calais with those issues if the fluid smells that bad the hole box will need a service that is if there isn't any major damage already as for the left hand rear door i have the same issue and it un locks but wont lock with the rest of the locks so i dont know the answer to that one

[dans_vz]

no offense but theres no way i would pay 1500 for a vp Calais with those issues if the fluid smells that bad the hole box will need a service that is if there isn't any major damage already as for the left hand rear door i have the same issue and it un locks but wont lock with the rest of the locks so i dont know the answer to that one

Yeah, Im converting it to manual, Ive got all the parts, just gotta find some time to do it.. Ive put more auto fluid in the box and its running a bit better now

[rob drag racer]

in that case cool good luck

[levymetal]

$1500 isn't bad, i sold my vn which was an exec with 330xxx kms for $1250

i'd try changing the coolant temp sensor first. see how that goes.

[rob drag racer]

well as ive said in the past 750 is my limit for any vn vp v6 and i own 3 of them

[dans_vz]

$1500 isn't bad, i sold my vn which was an exec with 330xxx kms for $1250

i'd try changing the coolant temp sensor first. see how that goes.

Yeah, going to do that tomorrow. By the way levymetal seen your car going around very nice indeed, I live right near you in Mt Eliza

[dans_vz]

well as ive said in the past 750 is my limit for any vn vp v6 and i own 3 of them

Yeah thats fair enough. I guess its each to there own

[rob drag racer]

Yeah thats fair enough. I guess its each to there own

very true !!

[Smallies]

Anyway - back to your original questions.

Regarding the door locks - try this thread

central locking only does 3 doors

People ask about door locks all the time. Your front door seems to be trying to lock/unlock - so that might just need freeing up. Your back door might be a slightly bigger issue if its not even trying. Door trims need to come off though anyways.

You might needa chuck that manual in pretty soon too by the sounds of it haha. ah well, congrats on the purchase bud - i just bought a vn calais.

[Yeah it's a calais]

lol I have the same problem with my right read door.

[levymetal]

Yeah, going to do that tomorrow. By the way levymetal seen your car going around very nice indeed, I live right near you in Mt Eliza

haha really? that's awesome! i'll keep a look out for you next time i'm on the road

how'd you go with the coolant temp sensor?

[pjdm1980]

Try checking your computer for faults.
Checking your Computer for Faults (VN - VP)

[dans_vz]

haha really? that's awesome! i'll keep a look out for you next time i'm on the road

how'd you go with the coolant temp sensor?

Haven't replaced it yet, a silly question but where is the sensor located?
I found something at the back of the motor that looks like its it, but also have read people are saying its underneath the alternator?

[SIG-054]

wouldnt be your coolant temp sensor i dont think, probably your thermostat.

[dans_vz]

wouldnt be your coolant temp sensor i dont think, probably your thermostat.

Ive been having a bit of a read and thats what Im starting to think too. Im guessing that its stuck open.

[SIG-054]

yep, same prob ive had for a while, not a huge drama, and pretty easy to fix yourself. Since the car is colder it will use a little more fuel.

Also with your trans, it sounds as though your lock up convertor has let go, especially with the fluid being burnt and struggling up a hill.