'96 VS SS possible ECU problem...

[Guardian2009]

Hey guys...

First off, this is my first post here, so hello


Second:

One of my holdens (the VS SS) had a problem the other day.. I bought this car as a "do up" project, and I am fine with mechanical repairs, but this is something I am a little worried about.

When I hopped in the car, and tried to start it. All I heard from the engine was a click, as though the battery was dead. I checked the battery, and it was fine. to cut a very long story short, here are the symptoms:

1. turn the key to the first click, all electrics fire up, cab light is on and all warning lights light up, then go out. (normal)

2. Fuel pump primes engine

3. Turn the key to the "start" position and EVERYTHING dies... its like it causes a dead short, all remaining dash lights die, and cab light dies.

4. return key to "on" position, and wait, after about 15 seconds, the cab light slowly glows back to life, and the dash warnings come back.

at first I thought it was a starter solenoid issue, but I noticed the central locking causes the same issue... if I press the lock button on the key all the electrics die, and the doors don't actually lock.I spent about an hour swapping relays over, and pulling fuses to see if it was a particular sub system causing the short...

The weird thing is, later that evening, I went to have another look, and she started up fine, and has been fine since... but obviously there is a problem here...

2 people I have talked to say its the ECU... and if it is, how can I replace the ECU because the key is coded to the ECU right?

[cander24]

Im not sure what is causing your problems but there is no dramas is swapping ecu's to determine if it is the fault, it just needs to be another one from a vs ss with the same gearbox (i.e. auto or manual). In a VS the key is coded to the body control module (bcm) which is located above the steering column.

[Guardian2009]

...there is no dramas is swapping ecu's to determine if it is the fault, it just needs to be another one from a vs ss with the same gearbox (i.e. auto or manual)...

Awesome, well, I'll get a spare ECU for "just in case" anyway

Thanks cander

[Doctor Bob]

it sounds more like a poor battery terminal or earth wiring, the PCM will not cause this .

[immortality]

i think oyu have a battery problem. the door locking solenoids do draw a fair bit of current. also the fact that when you try to start the car all the lights go out and only slowly come back up suggest the battery voltage is taking a dive and isn't recovering quickly.

do you ahve access to a multimeter? if not go to dicksmith and get a $15 one. every guy should have one. them check the voltage accross the battery as you ahve someone try to start the car. i figure it's probably dropping big time. if it's less then 11.5volts the battery is stuffed

[undar8ed1]

Loose or corroded terminals, clean them with a wire brush and spray WD40 on them or vasoline them. also check there is no wires that run above the battery (along the back of the headlight) to the other side of the bay are touching the battery leads.

[Guardian2009]

thanks for the ideas guys... I know its not the battery, because the same problem happened with the battery out of my VY, and I know thats in 100% good condition.

I do have a multimeter, and I can do that test.

I'll re-check the battery leads, and see whats what with that,