VS 5L doing my head in???????????????

[Mr_GM_1973]

Hi people,

we have this VR Berlina, which used to be a V6 Auto, now it's got a pretty punchy 304 and is a manual, of late the car has been doing my head in, sometimes it cranks and doesn't start other times it starts first go, i was advised to change the ignition module, so i did but not much has changed, yesterday driving down the westgate fwy sitting on 100k and it just died on me, so i rolled it off the hwy and tried to start it and it wouldn't start until i shook the wires next to the fusebox, i did this for no particular reason, i rang my auto elect, who has already looked at the car and it has him stuffed to, anyone had the same problems, any help or advice would be great, cheers

[Cobez]

Try posting it in the right section for a start.

[Grennan]

...have a guess what does my head in.

Gah moved to VS section.

[Cursed CX8]

as above, also replace the crank angle sensor.

I dont know if the 5l run an air intake temp sensor, but i know the later model cars wont run without it, or if its faulty.
Check all terminations at the fuse box and anything other cable thats been changed or lengthened.

Check rotor button etc.

[greenfoam]

If it wasn't the module and it does start up again at some stage then mostly likely the dizzy. There's a little sensor in there called the hall effect sensor and they do crap out with old age (like everything). You can rebuild them and get the sensor from Jaycar which is the best option because new bosch dizzy's cost heaps and the fake ones are rubbish

[tyremandan]

My 5L vs is doing the same thing. I've been avised to replace the coil first and check the dizzy while doing it. Am doing this on Tues so will let you know the result.

[Dinwoodie]

haha i'm having the exact same problem at the moment, but everytrime i take my vs v8 to the mechanic the F*&^%$@ thing wont play up as soon as i am solo it will turn itself off, i've replaced the igintion module but i don't know whats next, i might try replacing the dizzy

[Helicopter]

haha i'm having the exact same problem at the moment, but everytrime i take my vs v8 to the mechanic the F*&^%$@ thing wont play up as soon as i am solo it will turn itself off, i've replaced the igintion module but i don't know whats next, i might try replacing the dizzy

When it does stop, and you try to start it again, can you hear the fuel pump work for a few seconds while it primes up. I had a similar issue to the one you describe a while back, and whilst not saying this is your problem, it turned out to be an intermittent fuel pump.

I was lucky in the sense that when it did not start one morning, I quickly got out of the car, and listened carefully for the sound the fuel pump makes for 3 secs or so when turning the ignition from the OFF to ON position. No noise from the fuel tank instantly pinpointed the problem. I did also check/listen for the click the fuel pump relay makes and made sure power was reaching the pump.

Cheers

[hoots]

Assumig you have no spark, had the same problem but then wouldnt go at all, changed the CAS in the distributor, no fix so replaced the ignition module next and $450 later problem solved.

I pulled the ignition module apart and it looked like it had had water in it at some stage? dont know how common that is?

[blackvyr8]

hi there i had a vs ss manual it had the same problem took it to a auto elec the had it for a few hours and fond it was the coil had cracks in it and faulty they replaced that since then i had sold the car to my bro and he hasn't had a problem wit it all all hope that helps...

[Dinwoodie]

When it does stop, and you try to start it again, can you hear the fuel pump work for a few seconds while it primes up. I had a similar issue to the one you describe a while back, and whilst not saying this is your problem, it turned out to be an intermittent fuel pump.

I was lucky in the sense that when it did not start one morning, I quickly got out of the car, and listened carefully for the sound the fuel pump makes for 3 secs or so when turning the ignition from the OFF to ON position. No noise from the fuel tank instantly pinpointed the problem. I did also check/listen for the click the fuel pump relay makes and made sure power was reaching the pump.

Cheers

Yeah the fuel pump works fine, the car is on gas too and it fails to start on gas also, that that rules out the fuel problem, it's the spark that i'm not getting, i might go and have a look over the coil and see if i can see any cracks etc.

[VrWagz1]

Given you got gas and it does it to, and you have already done the Ignition module, i would think the dizzy or coil is a safe bet. Given its intermittant it could possibly be a dirty contact somwhere, but its unlikely. Also is there some wiring you have been playing with recently, there maybe somthing there.

[Dinwoodie]

Yeah that sounds like a good plan! I've got to wait for the cash flow now it drains the pocket throwing cash at possible problems.

While digging around for this problem the mechanic found that my car is trying to run on 2 fuels at once, and that the tail shaft bearing or something like that is about to shit itself

[PRAVX II S]

Hi people,

we have this VR Berlina, which used to be a V6 Auto, now it's got a pretty punchy 304 and is a manual, of late the car has been doing my head in, sometimes it cranks and doesn't start other times it starts first go, i was advised to change the ignition module, so i did but not much has changed, yesterday driving down the westgate fwy sitting on 100k and it just died on me, so i rolled it off the hwy and tried to start it and it wouldn't start until i shook the wires next to the fusebox, i did this for no particular reason, i rang my auto elect, who has already looked at the car and it has him stuffed to, anyone had the same problems, any help or advice would be great, cheers

did you check if the ignition module was good or just replaced it.
if you no how to use a test light and have a spark tester you could quickly diagnose the
spark side of things.
check for pulse at the ignition coil the wire color should be brown if there is a pulse then the
ignition module and the dizzy sensor is fine. (note that the brown wire supplies earth)
check the coil with the spark plug tester. take one of the leads out and plug the tester in.
if it sparks then the coil is ok the ignition side is good that means.