VT stalling while driving

[VT Fan]

First I would like to say this is a great site, I found it while googling for info on the problem im having with my car.

The problem Im having is when im driving along the car loses power and goes into a stalled state. The lights on the dash only come on when the car has stopped. I have had the DFI Module changed, the Crank Angle Sensor changed twice and a new BCM put in. The problem only happens on hot days. WHen they poured cold water on the Crank Angle Sensor it starts straight away. I only got it back from the shop yesterday after they put in the second crank angle sensor and I was on my way home from work today and it stopped on me again. When it stalled I only waited 10 seconds before I started it and it started up straight away, but before they attempted to fix it the first time I use to have to wait about 5 - 10 minutes before i could start it and it would only go for a few minutes before it would stop again. WHen I did try and start it it sounded like it was starving for fuel. After they changed the sensor the first time it went fine for 5 days and then started playing up. They took it for a drive while they had the computer hooked up and it stalled on them and they were able to get a few codes which they said was the BCM, after they changed the BCM they took it for a drive again and it still played up so they put the old BCM in and put a new Crank Angle Sensor in. They said they couldnt get any codes from the ECU yesterday but I think they will only get a code if it plays up. Any ideas on what else it may be. All I know is its a heat related problem.

So far my bill is around the $1000 mark and they still havent fixed it.

The codes they were getting were DTC 99 and DTC 17.

[lout]

DTC 17 is an internal fault in the PCM related to engine coolant sensor
DTC 99 i don't have listed
are you sure they changed the BCM and not the PCM?
sounds like you may have more than one fault.
unless you can get some test gear on when it faults it will be hard to diagnose, there are not many things that can go wrong that don't log a code
try swapping your fuel pump relay and fuses,

[Northern_Union]

This is a long shot but i had the same trouble with my old Legacy. At some stage someone had put a cheap and nasty thermostat in it which caused the ECU to lean out to much or over fuel and flood. Took me months and close to $1400 before they found it and that cheap thermostat didn't spit out any fault codes either. Could an old clogged up fuel filter be part of the problem also?

[VT Fan]

He said he changed the BCM. The coolant fault would make sense. I had a leaking water pump and because I work 5 days a week and I can never get my car to the mechanics due to my work hours I have just been topping it up with water, how long have I been doing this for, only about 8 months ( this is about when the problem started, but I never had a problem in winter as it was cooler unless i let the car idle for too long). The mechanic changed the water pump 3 weeks ago and said it needed a real good flushing out but he only put water back in. Would not having coolant give me that fault.

The fuel filter has been changed and no problem, but it was really dirty. He drained it in to any empty coke bottle and ther was mud in the bottom of the bottle. I live up a dirt road so that could explaint some of the reason why there would be mud in the fuel tank.

The car dies as if it has been switched off but on start up sounds like its not getting fuel.

[billy bob]

My VT does exactly the same thing. Only in summer on a hot day and a long drive. I've read the only solution is to trade it in.

[lout]

if the filter was that dirty the sock strainer in the tank is probably clogged, many years ago a shop i used had to diagnose a HJ / HX with almost identical problem to yours, ended up the lining on the tank had delaminated and was blocking the suction pipe, when the engine stalled the lining would float away for another day.
when the car stalls try turning the ignition to on for 5 secs then off then on again for 5 secs before cranking. still would try a fuel pump relay and fuse as won't cost much and is a good possibility

[VT Fan]

The problem im having only happens on a hot day though. Of a morning or on a cool day it runs like a dream. I think i may have a go at changing out my thermostat and the coolant sensor.

[paulsautoelec]

check your charcoal canister is not full of fuel . i have seen this many times when the car is being filled stop at the first click of the trigger. if you fill to the top fuel will run down the breather line to the canister.
(this has been the problem with many late model fords here in darwin after they spent thousands on replaceing parts that were not faulty). if the canister is full fuel will tranfer into manifold and run very rich,ego sensors tell pcm to shut down fuel then ign.

[curtcommy]

Its the CAS trust me. I have had issues for the past 6 months. Car cuts out on hot days after about 30 mins of driving, occurs genrelly in peak hour traffic or when idling. Car doesnt start again until it is cooled down. Had mechanic chuck in a new CAS, took him half an hour, well worth the 180dollers. nothin worse driving home, turning off the car then waiting it too cool down til it starts again.

[curtcommy]

My VT does exactly the same thing. Only in summer on a hot day and a long drive. I've read the only solution is to trade it in.

lol new crank angle sensor. Common prolem for Commodores, particually over 130ks

[billy bob]

Does the CAS get effected by heat. Would be nice to solve the problem

[russell vt commodore]

Hi I'm having the same types of problems,so far the cost is around $2000 and Until yesterday I thought it was fix until I went on a small trip and it happened again. I have had all sorts of things replaced like manifold gaskets, gas system pulled to pieces twice the list goes on. twice now on the open road and on traffic light it has just stopped at least twice it sounded like something broke off the car or we had hit something. Its getting past the joke .

[RollerGirl77]

OMG my VT does exactly the same thing....except its not especially when the car is hot as I took it on a trip not that long ago and it was fine, mind you that was before it started doing this. Also my diagnostic came up with nothing, thats the issue, how can you see whats wrong when the car only does it sometimes..... its driving me crazy, at least I haven't tried anything yet, might try replacing fuel pump relay, fuses and filter and see what happens............since the check came up with nothing, my crank sensors must be okay..... frustrating.... really don't want to sell it!!!!

[VT Fan]

I flushed the radiator last weekend and havent had any problems yet. Im thinking maybe the coolant sensor was covered with the gunk that accumulates in a radiator if you only have water in there and no coolant. If it was that would tell the pcm that the coolant temp was higher than it actually is and tell the pcm to shut down, its only a guess. Its suppose to be 35 here monday so i will see what happens then.

[Thrillie]

Hi guys
I know this thread is a bit old now, but I am wondering if anyone has had their problem resolved? I have a VT and I love it...except it is doing this same thing to me. Not all the time, of course, but usually only after about 15-20minutes of driving (and not thrashing it!). It can happen on a cool morning (as it did at 5.30 yesterday morning!) or in the afternoon (as it did, again after only 15 minutes driving in normal city traffic) at peak hour on the Princes Highway, Sydney with huge Double B's bearing down on me at 80ks!.....I've had it to my very trusted mechanic and he changed the fuel pump (relay?), flushed out the fuel filter, etc....That was a couple of months ago. Mind you I haven't been driving it all that much as I don't trust it any longer to just do the odd short journey....but it has started to happen again.

Any further ideas guys?? As I don't know much mechanical stuff (and I'm a chick) please explain what your abbreviations are. Thx.

PS It is a Series II, which I bought 2nd hand in 2000. I was told at the time that it was a former Qld cop car and that it has some sort of special chip.....don't ask me what!!
PPS Unlike some of the others in this thread, my car will restart after about 30 seconds or so....obviously not a heat problem. And it doesn't feel/sound fuel-starved either.

[wrx884]

Is changing the fuel pump relay and flushing ur fuel filter the only thing thats been done 2 the car 2 find the fault??

The cop chip is a myth btw.

[jazza15]

I have a similar problem that occurs while de accelerating from a freeway in 4th or 5th (I have a manual), or when shifting down in second, i think with the clutch fully engaged. The revs seem to just drop down to zero and then pick straight back up again. Yesterday and today the car did not restart straight away, but i was able to roll start it by re engaging the clutch after noticing this or it just restarted because i was still in fourth gear (what happened today). So it seems that it could be quite possibly be getting worse. I have just done a search and dound that it could be the DFI module/coil pack or the Crank Angle Sensor (abbreviated CAS for previous poster). Some other things to mention are that the clutch has had it, so it slips in every gear and yes, I am getting it replaced very soon, the new SMF is on its way. I have replaced the fuel pump, but did not do the fuel filter as it had been done recently.

[wrx884]

I have a similar problem that occurs while de accelerating from a freeway in 4th or 5th (I have a manual), or when shifting down in second, i think with the clutch fully engaged. The revs seem to just drop down to zero and then pick straight back up again. Yesterday and today the car did not restart straight away, but i was able to roll start it by re engaging the clutch after noticing this or it just restarted because i was still in fourth gear (what happened today). So it seems that it could be quite possibly be getting worse. I have just done a search and dound that it could be the DFI module/coil pack or the Crank Angle Sensor (abbreviated CAS for previous poster). Some other things to mention are that the clutch has had it, so it slips in every gear and yes, I am getting it replaced very soon, the new SMF is on its way. I have replaced the fuel pump, but did not do the fuel filter as it had been done recently.

have u checked 4 any fault codes?

[jazza15]

yeah sorry forgot to mention that, I just did today, still none

[wrx884]

yeah sorry forgot to mention that, I just did today, still none

try finding a mate that has a coil pack u can swap over 2 rule that out. Usually u can rule out the CAS by pooring warm water over the sensor wen it cuts out, if it starts straight away after pooring water on it then that could b ur problem, if it doesnt then its somthing else.

[Thrillie]

Is changing the fuel pump relay and flushing ur fuel filter the only thing thats been done 2 the car 2 find the fault??

The cop chip is a myth btw.

Yeh, it's been the only thing he did (and he didn't charge)....but he said it could be any number of things.

All the code said (I think) was: server error (a bit like a poota)

Dang! re the cop chip....the car really is hot tho and moves!!

[Thrillie]

Another thing I have noticed recently, and haven't experienced this before is that it is slower to change up.....I put it down to old age (I feel a lot like that now!)....Could this have something to do with it?

Cheers

[wrx884]

heres the best thing u can do 2 try find a fault urself b4 u go 2 a mechanic or holden. download the PDF file print it out or save it somwhere it always comes in handy

Checking error codes VT/VX

heres another read so u can get an idea of wat other things it could b as ur mech said it could b a number of things its just a matter of pin pointing it now.

Faults - VT Electrical

[Thrillie]

thanks rrrexy! love both your rides btw!!

[RockyD]

Thank god, I thought I was the only one with CAS problems........I am on my 4th in 12 months. NRMA and I are on first name basis now. The last mech told me it could be a dirty earth, or a spike in the alternator or regulator????? that keeps shorting it out??? My local mech just shakes his head now and cries after the tow truck dumps it in his driveway?? IS there anyone who has had the problem and gotten rid of it?? Thx Rocky