Help!! My VS wont start sometimes

[Kiwicommodore]

My VS would not start this morning. It turns over fine but wont fire. I tried the spare key and it went. Now it only starts sometimes on the spare key. Is it a fault with the ingnition barrel?

[The1]

how old are the keys? might be time for a new keyhead

[-mick-]

check the contacts around the key and the ignition barrel make sure they are clean and contacting the round metal bit on ya key.

[chrisdoesitbetter]

this same thing hapened to me ONCE, i remotely locked and unlocked the car, then mechanically did it and it started. try that, if that fails, i hear mister minit does good prices on batteries

[Brett_jjj]

It could also be auto transmission inhibitor switch playing up.Next time it does it try moving the gear selector back and forth a bit in the park position or try starting it in neutral and see what happens then.But its most likely to be the key reader around the ignition switch not contacting the key properly as mentioned above.

[Fixa_VS]

I have the same problem and pushing the gear selector forward in the park position allways works

[Kiwicommodore]

It could also be auto transmission inhibitor switch playing up.Next time it does it try moving the gear selector back and forth a bit in the park position or try starting it in neutral and see what happens then.But its most likely to be the key reader around the ignition switch not contacting the key properly as mentioned above.

I would have thought the motor would not turn over if that was the case.

[Kiwicommodore]

how old are the keys? might be time for a new keyhead

One key is original and one is 4 years old and not used much.

[Brett_jjj]

I would have thought the motor would not turn over if that was the case.

Yeah ,you are right,it wont turn over at all if its the inhibitor switch, it wont turn over at all either if the key (or key reader) was the problem. You can rule out these two things as causing it.(I should take more notice of the question).

[moff_man]

if it is a key related problem your red led will still be flashing apon cranking. meaning its hasnt got the immo signal.

somethings ive seen with vn - vs and sometimes vt - vx (there getting on a bit too) is the cas (crank angle sensor) and in one case that stuffed me was the dfi (drect fire ignition) module

check the wiring on the dfi module, located near the air box under the coil packs its the long flat plug that should be held in place with a small bolt, if this is loose you will get all sorts of problems

also do an error check, but it needs to be done apon vehicle foult, or go get a scan and get the history codes (you can not get history codes from the flash codes)

[Kiwicommodore]

Now starting to think it was low fuel, ive put some in and its been fine. But ive run it lower and its been ok. I remember reading somewhere the wagons like mine had an issue with pick up.

[Kiwicommodore]

Well now it wont start 20% of the time and has cut out once on the road. Now not thinking fuel as it just cut right out, no splutering.

[Brett_jjj]

Probably the CAS (Crank Angle Sensor).What you describe sounds like something it would cause when its on its way out.

[Kiwicommodore]

What would that cost to get fixed?

[Kiwicommodore]

Getting code #47, any ideas?

[Brett_jjj]

Code 47 is no crank angle sensor signal (no reference signal).Id check the wiring and connector that goes to the CAS then if nothing is found to be wrong,replace the sensor.Try to go genuine holden with the new CAS,Ive seen cheaper aftermarket sensors cause problems.

[Kiwicommodore]

Holden say this is a three hour job, that doesnt sound right. How long would it take to fit a new sensor?

[bandit10]

Holden say this is a three hour job, that doesnt sound right. How long would it take to fit a new sensor?

about 30 mins if you have done it before and have the right tools

[Brett_jjj]

Holden say this is a three hour job, that doesnt sound right. How long would it take to fit a new sensor?

Dont pay for 3 hours labour for a 30 min job.Its cheaper to get the CAS from holden yourself.Then go to supercheap and buy a $30 harmonic balancer puller tool and also grab a workshop manual and do the job yourself.

[v6lux]

Before changing the CAS, there could also be corrosion in the DFM plug on the front pin. When it happens again. Loosen the plug and wiggle it and try starting again. I replaced 4 CAS's before I found the real cause.

You will need a 7 mm socket for the plug bolt, don't over-tighten it!

[Kurtp]

I have the same problem and pushing the gear selector forward in the park position allways works

You can fix this easily, there is a how-to on repairing it. Search for repairing reverse lights, same thing.

[Kiwicommodore]

Before changing the CAS, there could also be corrosion in the DFM plug on the front pin. When it happens again. Loosen the plug and wiggle it and try starting again. I replaced 4 CAS's before I found the real cause.

You will need a 7 mm socket for the plug bolt, don't over-tighten it!

Thanks , I will check for that.

[ChappyVS95]

Mines the opposite My original key old and worn missin the button on it works every single time, but my spare which is newish is a bit dodgy have to put it in a few times, turn the key around and hold it there sometimes for several seconds for it to start turning, weird