VR Issues

[mwgnz]

Hi all, well I just got my VR back from getting a service, was driving along the motorway at about 100km/h when I noticed it was revving a bit high. Then I started hearing this bizarre shuddering noise and the car wouldn't accelerate properly. Then I put my foot on the brake and it was solid, wouldn't move a bit.

Got into a 50k area and it was so painful it was barely able to get out of second. Pulled over, stopped the car - it smelt like clutch (VR 3.8 auto). Left it to sit and started it again, drove fine but the brakes were a bit tough. Is this limp home mode? It seems as though the brakes are sticking on and dragging the car to a hault. It only appears to do this on the open road. I also notced that Cruise Control would not engage - you can turn it on, but it will never set at a speed, it just ignores you when you press the 'set' button.

Finally, when I went to start it up again, none of my keys will turn in the ignition. Maybe 1/100 times it goes - starts no worries. I have read some previous threads and put some CRC down the barrell and on the key. No change - it won't budge at all, not even to ACC. Also checked the metal immobiliser contacts and they are all fine, cleaned the key and contacts, still won't turn.

Are these two issues related or do I have a broken barrell just by coincedence? Can anyone advise me of what the deal is with it braking itself to a hault? (Note: I was attempting to get the diag information via the paperclip method when I discovered that the key stopped turning. I can't get it to the ON position for a read out as yet.)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

[Disturbed_vegeta]

Hi all, well I just got my VR back from getting a service, was driving along the motorway at about 100km/h when I noticed it was revving a bit high. Then I started hearing this bizarre shuddering noise and the car wouldn't accelerate properly. Then I put my foot on the brake and it was solid, wouldn't move a bit.

Got into a 50k area and it was so painful it was barely able to get out of second. Pulled over, stopped the car - it smelt like clutch (VR 3.8 auto). Left it to sit and started it again, drove fine but the brakes were a bit tough. Is this limp home mode? It seems as though the brakes are sticking on and dragging the car to a hault. It only appears to do this on the open road. I also notced that Cruise Control would not engage - you can turn it on, but it will never set at a speed, it just ignores you when you press the 'set' button.

Finally, when I went to start it up again, none of my keys will turn in the ignition. Maybe 1/100 times it goes - starts no worries. I have read some previous threads and put some CRC down the barrell and on the key. No change - it won't budge at all, not even to ACC. Also checked the metal immobiliser contacts and they are all fine, cleaned the key and contacts, still won't turn.

Are these two issues related or do I have a broken barrell just by coincedence? Can anyone advise me of what the deal is with it braking itself to a hault? (Note: I was attempting to get the diag information via the paperclip method when I discovered that the key stopped turning. I can't get it to the ON position for a read out as yet.)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

i'd say firstly. you've snapped the barrel...it happens to the best of us at the worst time...and about the braking. have you check the lines that come off the booster to see if theyre all on sweet. oh and welcome to the forum

[mwgnz]

Thanks for the reply.

Followed the advice of the forum in a few older threads and removed the ignition barrel (actually just ended up using a centre punch and hammer to coax the sheer bolt all the way round). Taking it to locksmith as they can sort it to my keys, apparently...

Sorry, bit of a noob, where do I check the booster lines? Off the master cylinder you mean..?

The brake problem has happened before. It only seems to strike when I'm out on the open road, never around town. It's only happened once before though. Did a 1200 k round trip and it didn't happen once, very intermittent.

Also, can I start and drive my car while the ignition is out? The immobilizer still seems to work. I just wanted to see if I can replicate the brake problem to a mechanic just down the road.

Cheers for all ya help

[_R_J_K_]

The cruise control problem is probably because one of your brake lights is blown.

Other than that, if your car was in limp home mode, you would probably be driving around ad 40k's.