VQ statesmen Problems

[Phoenix21]

hey all how ya doing
ok bit of a problem here my friend has a 1993 vq statesmen that was giving a bit of problems today it died on us like 6 times
1st time we were sitting at the lights they turned green no power just died and wouldn't start for 15mins kinda sounded like there was no petrol it would kick over run for like 2 seconds and die, but we got it going again ran alright for about 10 mins we stoped at the shops came back same thing wouldn't start and it just happen over and over again and we always had to leave it for like 10 2 15 mins i was thinking over heating first but the temp gauge wasn't going past half anyways an help or tips would be great thanks

Details
1993 VQ Statesmen
5.0l
petrol
anything else ya needa know let me know

[fitzy2005]

sounds like crank angel sensor the cutting out and not starting issue

[Phoenix21]

im guessing it kinda common :S

she said to me it had done it once before but after 10 mins it went and it didn't do it again till today

[m62vpute]

I would be puting money on a bad/dodgy fuel pump, I know when mine was on the way out it really started playing up when it was a hot day then it came good for a week or so and then just died. Could also be a sensor problem but I would be looking at the fuel pump first. When you turned the key on could you hear the fuel pump priming or was it any louder than usual?

[Phoenix21]

i'll check it out today n let ya know

[Phoenix21]

nope couldn't hear it at all but im ganna check it again when she comes because im looking out for the sounds mine makes what should be the same but she'll know for sure

[andynogo]

If it's not the fuel pump (which would be my first guess too) then try the ignition module under the bonnet. Mine did that and had very similar symptoms.

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

sounds like crank angel sensor the cutting out and not starting issue

5.0lt doesn't have a crank angle sensor, it has a distributor not a coil pack so it doesn't need one. I would say either ignition module or fuel pump. Next time it does it, if you can, take a lead off a spark plug but not all the way, just sit it on the end of the plug, turn it over if you can hear it ticking then it's not the module it will most likely be the pump.

[Phoenix21]

ok kool were ganna go out to night so i'll check it out then

[Phoenix21]

ok we went out tonight drove around a bit and not once she ran fine all the way, im just a bit worried that it may happen to her when shes by her self,
do you recon the heat yesterday could of played a part in it even tho it died more later in the day

[m62vpute]

Yeah the heat can contribuite to some things, like I had said earlier when my fuel pump was on its way out it was after a few hot days in a row and then when the temp outside cooled down the pump came good. But it did die a few weeks later on.

Hope this helps

[Phoenix21]

yer i might just tell her to aviod driving on hot days untill we get it fixed plus summer is almost over anyways

how hard would a fuel pump be to change for some 1 with a bit of experience i can change most thing i've just never done that b4 thanks for ya help

[m62vpute]

The V8 runs 2 fuel pumps, one pump in the tank and then a higher pressure pump hanging in front of the tank. You should be able to turn the key on and hear the fuel pump pressurise and then stop. (without starting the engine)

To change the external pump does not take a lot of time to do.

Just take your time and release the pressure out from the lines to stop the fuel from being under pressure when you remove the fuel line.

[STEALTHY™]

I was thinking ignition module aswell.


you can give it a 'knock' from the passenger side while someone kicks it over, and it'll start (while its playing up obviously)
its hard to describe, but its behind the motor, although you can get to it with a pole

[Phoenix21]

ok did it again today and it happen in the worse place possiable in the maccas drive thru lol so we had the guy from maccas help us push it out but i had to push it to the next window so i could get my order lol and ways i checked the fuel pump when it did it and it sounded like it switched on but kinda died (buzzing sound)kinda changed pitch might be a better way to put it but i tryed that thing with the spark plugs but couldn't hear that either so unless im going death what wouldn't surprise me in my old age (17) i think the car is stuffed, its in my back yard again.

p.s i didn't getta try what ya said STEALTHY because i hadn't read the post i'll have to try it again tomorrow but it will probably start lol knowing my luck

[STEALTHY™]

haha, my car did it in macca's too. had to push the car to the side, and start hitting the thing with the jack handle. ended up getting it going tho, the trick is you have to have one person hitting, one starting the car

[broderikb]

I had the same prob with my VR Stato & a work mate had the same with his VQ Stato, both 5.0L V8. We both replaced everything trying to fix it & turned out to be the distributor in both cars. According to holden it happens a bit but not very common.