out of ideas ?

[5.0l]

i have vr caprice 5L at mechanics, they have changed everything possible on the electrics, dizzie , coil pulse sensors, ECU ,memcal card still cant get car running properly, now they want to change body control unit an ignition switch neither have anything to do with spark or do they , my car is at a leading franchise mechanics ? what should i do ?

[5.0l]

i have vr caprice 5L at mechanics, they have changed everything possible on the electrics, dizzie , coil pulse sensors, ECU ,memcal card still cant get car running properly, now they want to change body control unit an ignition switch neither have anything to do with spark or do they , my car is at a leading franchise mechanics ? what should i do ?

Help me or i,ll start looking at FORDS

[Brett_jjj]

Is it giving any error codes at all. This is where Id start looking first.If you dont know how to do this simple test,heres a link to a page that explains how.Theres also some excellent pics to check out at the bottom of the page in the link.
---Checking error codes VR/VS (Revised)---

[5.0l]

Is it giving any error codes at all. This is where Id start looking first.If you dont know how to do this simple test,heres a link to a page that explains how.Theres also some excellent pics to check out at the bottom of the page in the link.
---Checking error codes VR/VS (Revised)---

Thanks mate told the idiots about it they said they put it on diagnostic computer already an it said it was ECU so thats why they reckon its the BCM or ignition switch now

[FstStig]

Help me or i,ll start looking at FORDS

We couldn't give a shit if you went over to Ford, you will just be back to where your current Statesman is.

[Brett_jjj]

Thanks mate told the idiots about it they said they put it on diagnostic computer already an it said it was ECU so thats why they reckon its the BCM or ignition switch now

You should check it out for yourself as well to see whats going on with it.I wouldnt just take their word for it.Its easy to check it yourself,just look at the instructional posts and pics in the link in my previous post above .. Let us know what error codes show up,thats if there is any logged.

[VrWagz1]

Have they done leads and plugs?? Next port of call is usually the DFI module on the passenger strut tower and the coil on the back of the motor. After that change the dizzy out(its the hardest to change). One of these things will fix your problem if infact it is a spark issue, and not a sensor issue?? whats your symptoms. Could just be a TPS, MAP, oxygen sensor issue

[ucwepn]

I had a problem with a "leading franchise" mechanic a few years back with my vl they changed almost all the electrics and charged me a fortune, stalling problem remained so took it to a proper mechanic and it was the 2 middle spark plugs were not changed when they serviced the car :/ they were a different brand from the others. They are rip off merchants!! proper mechanic (Bresciani) found the problem immediately so be very wary of these franchise mechanics they are after your money. They changed almost all the things you listed, your post sounded all too familiar. I still want to put a brick through their window but I have moved on

[5.0l]

You should check it out for yourself as well to see whats going on with it.I wouldnt just take their word for it.Its easy to check it yourself,just look at the instructional posts and pics in the link in my previous post above .. Let us know what error codes show up,thats if there is any logged.

Went to work shop ask them to show me diagnost code come up 31 they said some thing to dowith anti theft system they reckon ignition switch will fix problem what do you think ?

[5.0l]

I had a problem with a "leading franchise" mechanic a few years back with my vl they changed almost all the electrics and charged me a fortune, stalling problem remained so took it to a proper mechanic and it was the 2 middle spark plugs were not changed when they serviced the car :/ they were a different brand from the others. They are rip off merchants!! proper mechanic (Bresciani) found the problem immediately so be very wary of these franchise mechanics they are after your money. They changed almost all the things you listed, your post sounded all too familiar. I still want to put a brick through their window but I have moved on

I know how angry you must of been they have had car for more than a week i want to swap work shops but they want me to pay bill but i dont want to take it until they finish an i test all my old parts an wont pay for any that aren,t faulty

[VrWagz1]

DONT Replace the ignition switch for the error 31 just yet. If you having immobiliser issues ther car wont start at all!!! If its working (albeit badly) theres nothing wrong. By the sounds of it they have not cleared the codes before they checked them. The codes will need resetting because they have been friggin around with things and have probably generated some spiratic codes.

Sounds to me like they have no idea about 5ltr commodores and you really need to take it to someone that does. If it were someone that knew what they were doing with it, they would know the common issues with these and go for that.

Any part that has been swapped out that didnt fix the problem can be assumed to still be working fine.

What are the problems with it exactly??

[RX25SE]

Have they done the basics? Like a compression test, check ignition lead resistance, plug condition, check coil primary and secondary resistance, check MAP sensor output (looks like a row of camel bumps on the oscilloscope), checked for vacuum leaks, exhaust gas readings, etc.

Error codes are useful diagnostic tools but remember that a mechanical fault may case a sensor to go 'out of range' and log a code. Sound like these blokes are using the 'shotgun' approach, we'll just keep firing parts at it until it's fixed.

As above, leave the ignition switch and go find someone with a better understanding of whats going on.

As above also, the better you describe the fault, the better the answers will be.

[5.0l]

Have they done the basics? Like a compression test, check ignition lead resistance, plug condition, check coil primary and secondary resistance, check MAP sensor output (looks like a row of camel bumps on the oscilloscope), checked for vacuum leaks, exhaust gas readings, etc.

Error codes are useful diagnostic tools but remember that a mechanical fault may case a sensor to go 'out of range' and log a code. Sound like these blokes are using the 'shotgun' approach, we'll just keep firing parts at it until it's fixed.

As above, leave the ignition switch and go find someone with a better understanding of whats going on.

As above also, the better you describe the fault, the better the answers will be.

They went ahead an changed ignition switch anyway didn,t work as you suggested . I asked what its doing an they just keep telling me its imobilising self an they are going to run some sort of program on it ????? tried different key head aswell??

[RX25SE]

Different key head requires a matching BCM to make the car start.

[VrWagz1]

What was the problem when you sent it there??

It sounds like they are showing you the most expensive way to not fix a car!! Like RX said there, it dosnt sound like they have done the basics if its an ignition issue. Sounds to me like they are way off track and are completely loosing it, while costing you a bomb in the mean time.

[5.0l]

What was the problem when you sent it there??

It sounds like they are showing you the most expensive way to not fix a car!! Like RX said there, it dosnt sound like they have done the basics if its an ignition issue. Sounds to me like they are way off track and are completely loosing it, while costing you a bomb in the mean time.

turn key, cranks no pulse turn key back it fires than shuts straight off

[RX25SE]

Do they have a scan tool and/or oscilloscope?

[VrWagz1]

hows the connector on the dfi module? or the dfi module itself? Also say the imobiliser is playing up, the main thing externally controlling it is the key head and the metal contact around the ignition barrel and the wire to the ecu. What you have said(besides the no pulse) also lends itself to a fuel issue aswell, but one would think they have check the fuel pump is priming.
No pulse on the injectors could also just be a bad earth at the ecu, or damaged wiring on the way.
What you have described is a problem with lots of potential solutions, but really it shouldnt be above the blokes at the mechanics, i recon you could have fixed it at home by now.

[BottleFedVS]

I had a similar problem on my wifes VR 5lt.
Turned out to be BCM fault with the imobiliser. once the BCM was replaced it gave intermitant ignition signal.
this turned out to be the Hall Effect Trigger in the Distributor.
the computer wouldnt throw up a code until the BCM imobiliser issue was fixed.

[5.0l]

cheers fellas organising a new mechanic will keep updated

[VS 5.0]

With cranking & no pulse, it could well be the Hall Effect Sensor in the dizzy.

I had the same problem last year with Error Code 46 - No Reference Signal while cranking ...new dizzy in and all was good.

[5.0l]

They put new dizzie in it ,coil, pulse module ignition sensor ECU memcal you name it its been changed.Trying to find decent worshop to take it to. Cheers

[VrWagz1]

The only thing on that list that hasnt been change that affects spark is the dfi module.
It could be somthing like a loose or coroded terminal on the ecu or bcm.

[vpete]

How did ya go mate, get it sorted or what???? Would love to know what it was...

Cheers...........Pete!

[adrenaline junky]

hrmmm sounds like what prob i was goin thru, i spent bout 2-3grand tryin to work out why i was havin spark probs, it would turn over but no spark!! after screwin around for a while and wasting money i changed the ignition control module or spark control thingo what ever it called, it sits in your engine bay on the passenger side guard, its a silver little box and connects to a yellow plug it maybe that so try that out with a new 1, my rig hasnt died on me yet nor skipped a beat, but if that still fails change the coil and that still fails get another dizzy i reckon...goodluck