Power Train Light

[gyp23]

Hi folks

Just curious if any of you have experienced this before, or perhaps know what the heck is going wrong with our 98 VT Exec 3.8L auto

Yesterday we took the car for a rather slow drive around town, averaging around 20-40km an hour for 30 minutes. Usually the car is driven between the Blue Mountains & Sydney so it gets a decent amount of long distance work.

Anyway, after yesterday's slow drive, I noticed that the Power Train light came on. The temp guage was at about half. Drove it straight home and lifted the bonnet (completely pointless as I had no idea what I was looking for!) but I just made sure that the serpentine belt was fine and dandy.

This morning, I turned the key and it started, but stalled within a few seconds. Same thing happened again. Third time lucky, I planted my foot and made it sit in Neutral at 1.5k revs for about 10 seconds. I then took my foot off the accellerator and it idled at 500 revs - waaay lower than usual - I think it usually sits around 1000?

Anyway, this power train light hasn't gone off, and the idling issue remains. Hopefully someone out there can give me a few pointers on where to start looking, or who to start calling!

Cheers,
Georgia

PS: A few days ago I had to have the car towed to the auto-elecs as the ignition barrel collapsed. Yep, it's been fun - but wondering if there's anything they could have buggered up to cause this problem?

[accentstencil]

Im guessing the IAC valve (idle air control),it should idle at about 750 rpm. When the engine warning light comes on it registers a fault code. If you don't know how to read the fault codes take it to Holden and they will do it, or buy a workshop manual and you will be able to do it yourself.

[Tree cutter]

First place to start is by checking fault codes that are stored in your computer. There is a 16 pin plug under your steering column. You get a short piece of wire poke one end in terminal6 and the other end in terminal5 then the check engine light should start flashing fault codes. There should be a link on this forum somewhere explaining the whole process in more detail.

[gyp23]

Thanks Tree cutter! I'll be sure to check for fault codes as soon as I get home. Meanwhile, not having much luck finding out how to do it on this forum (short of your terminal6 to terminal 5 rundown) for VTs.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[accentstencil]

It's quite a long explanation that is why I suggested a manual, but I'll give it a go.
After bridging teminals 5 & 6, turn ignition on. The engine light will flash once, short pause then 2 flashes. This means 12, 1st group of flashes represents 10's, second group of flashes represents units. It always starts with 12, 3 times. Each code is displayed 3 times followed by a longer pause before the next code. So after 12 flashes 3 times it will move on to the next code ( eg 4 flashes followed by 2 flashes= 42). After all the codes have been displayed it will flash 12 again.
I hope you can understand my explanation. When you get the codes, reply and tell me what they are and I will tell you what they mean.
If you only get code 12, that indicates there are no fault codes.

[gyp23]

OK I found out a way to get all of the fault codes via the hidden VT trip computer. Where do I now find out what these codes translate to?

[accentstencil]

The trip computer doesn't display fault codes as far as I know. Follow the instructions I just posted.

[glowworm]

ok i got codes in this order 32 46 67 81 82

[glowworm]

the codes are 32 46 67 81 82 thanks

[accentstencil]

32: Air flow sensor (voltage out of range)
46 Crank angle reference signal (engine will not start)
67, 81 and 82 are all automatic transmission fault codes.

[glowworm]

So what are you saying my auto is stuffed it seams to drive well

[accentstencil]

So what are you saying my auto is stuffed it seams to drive well

No, I'm only saying what the fault codes mean. My manual only tells me that codes 67, 81 and and 82 are for the transmission but it doesn't tell me what they mean. Disconnect your battery for about a minute to reset the computer and take it for a drive and then check the codes again, they may or may not re-appear. Sometimes these faults are only a one time thing. But since you have three codes relating to your transmission there most likely is a problem. Maybe someone else here knows what those codes mean.

[glowworm]

Thanks so much for your help i will have to fix the 2 sencors and then see what happens but once again thankyou so much.. Glowworm

[Arai_R1]

Hi All

Newbie here, be gentle My 02 VU SS ute (auto) has started showing the check power train light and I've read all the posts on here regarding the problems and have tried getting the codes as suggested. I also followed instructions from my workshop manual but can't seem to get any codes happening. Even tried disconnecting and reconnecting the battery and nothing. Just a couple of questions for anyone who's managed to get results from this.

1. When pins 5 & 6 are bridged, what position should the ignition key be in?
2. Do you then turn the key to "on" to get the codes and is it the check powertrain light that flashes?
3. Should the codes be displayed immediately when the key is turned to the "on" position.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I really don't want to pay the Holden dealer $130 just for the pleasure of them telling me what the problem is.

Cheers all.

Ant

[Doctor Bob]

nice dig there... 18 months.
the gen 3 wont flash codes like this it uses a different system, take it to someone who has a scan tool that will read them

[Arai_R1]

Hi All

Well, after no luck, bit the bullet and went to holden. Actually followed some advice from one of these threads and asked them to check the car as I was "concerned" about driving the car. Turns out it's the oil pressure sensor. They're not cheap! $190 from Holden, but shop around.

Cheers All

[fitz_vt]

yeah the error codes once cleared should re appear if they are actually at fault your ECU stores these codes until they are cleared (taking the battery terminal out and starting again.....) your vehicle will reinitialise (except the for the km's) and run it in diagnostics mode (press mode and up it will make your lcd display turn to a string of numbers then press the mode button until two after your digital speedo..... it should be T 00 -- if there is no errors if there is errors it will come up with T XX -- (except with an error code instead of XX)
please post the remaining error codes you have

[fitz_vt]

codes 67, 81 and and 82 indicate there is a problem in the automatic trasmission control module, they might be small codes like a sensor or gears are slipping or something like that .....
32: Air flow sensor (voltage out of range) sensor faulty, reinstall new sensor
46 Crank angle reference signal (engine will not start) check sensor if fault renew sensor