[VR V6] help, engine lamp on, no power

[nathanVY]

It seems this problem is getting progressively worse, a few weeks ago the engine light would flash or stay on for a minute or two after i'd been driving a bit hard. Sometimes it would stay on and turning the engine on and off would fix it.

Just today it was getting driven pretty hard, all good but 5 minutes down the road the engine lamp comes on and all the power is gone, only like 2nd gear or something. Pulled over, turned the car off for 5 minutes and she's good to go.

What's the deal? What is going to break in my car? I'd like to get it fixed before it becomes a bigger problem, I'm sure the engines can take more of a beating than I give them so there must be a sensor or something buggered (I don't drive THAT hard).

thoughts/ideas/comments/queries?

[westbad]

thoughts/ideas/comments/queries?

tried checking your error codes? the engine warning light doesnt come on for no reason!
This will tell you what the problem is.

[nathanVY]

I did check them a while ago and got code 33, will check again as I've reset the computer a few times.

[westbad]

code 33 will be the map sensor

[nathanVY]

yeah, should I just replace it? new one? or is wrecker one ok?

edit: of course this is pending another error code check to confirm code 33, which I will do in the morning

[westbad]

i always use new sensors, why take the chance with a 2nd hand one that could be no better than yours??

I would do another check and find out what the fault is for sure 1st.

[hako]

The loss of power indicates you are in Limp Home Mode which usually comes on when the transmission has a fault. Seeing as you say you were driving "pretty hard" when it happened I'd also lean towards the problem being transmission.
Anyway, do the codes test again as westbad suggests.

[nathanVY]

hako - interesting, I know it needs a service, maybe it just got too hot and cut sick.

[xstatic]

sounds like trans to me as well. how many k's on the car?? all vr/vs autos seem to go mid to late 200xxx

scott

[nathanVY]

got error codes 45 and 24.

cars done 225kms, its sound has changed in the last week or so exhaust is chugging on idle.

are there any guides on here on how to replace o2/mat sensors?

[westbad]

Code 24 - Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS)
Code 45 - Oxygen Sensor Rich (O2)

[westbad]

if the vehicle speed sensor fails the auto will go in to limp mode, giving you only 2nd and 3rd gear and reverse.

[nathanVY]

ok so why do they fail? its intermittent cos its working now.. all the same id like to get it replaced. what about the o2 sensor?

[westbad]

o2 sensor is 10 mins to replace and costs around $60-$70 not sure if the V6 has 2?? the 5.0 only have one.
Heres where u you can buy a new one from

Cyberspace Auto Parts - EFI and Engine Management Automotive Components

[nathanVY]

cool thanks, are there any guides to replacing them?

[vnv6 wagon]

na man its pretty easy the v6's have only have 1 o2 sensor its on the passenger side of the car on the lower end of the exhaust manifold closer to the gear box and if i remember correctly its a 19mm open ended spanner will do the trick.

[westbad]

not sure, you cant really go wrong mate, just get under the car unscrew it out the exhaust unplug the wiring and its out.. screw in the new one plug it in and your done.

[westbad]

some V6's have 2.. but i think thats the ecotec motors.. im sure someone with a V6 will tell you.

[nathanVY]

sweet, ill replace that when I get some money. thanks heaps.
engine light came on again

[Fenners]

also if you have been giving a rich 02 reading that can also be heading towards map sensor. if it thinks it doesn't see enough vacuum it will start running rich.
check the vacuum line that goes from the engine to the map sensor
Vehicle speed sensor will prob be the three wires on the speed sensor, not uncommon for them to crack and break and short out, giving you a code.

[nathanVY]

how urgent do you think it is? I need to drive it to work this week (about 180km there and back) for 5 days.. should I get onto it asap/get a mechanic to look at it?

edit: seriously considering replacing all the damn sensors lol.

[westbad]

replace them asap if you want the faults fixed.

[Fenners]

get them asap, because running rich isnt that bad, but you dont want it to run the other way and start going lean. thats when problems start.

[wraith]

Don't try to do reverse to drive skids either. Gearboxes in the VR/VS tend not to like it.

[nathanVY]

Don't try to do reverse to drive skids either. Gearboxes in the VR/VS tend not to like it.

ha never done that before.

will look into getting map and o2 sensors replaced and transmission serviced this week or early next week.

thanks so much for all your help