Problems starting VT

[VT00]

Hi guys,

I have a 2000 series 2 VT and have recently been having a strange problem.

Lately, when i turn the ignition on, if either the AC is on, or the radio is up loud, or even sometimes in just the vents are on, the car has trouble starting. When i turn the key, it will try to kick over, but will then stop (kinda sounds likeit has no power to kick). I then turn off the AC, radio, vents etc and it will then start ok.

Also, i have just discoved that if I do the above (with accessories on) and it fails to start, if i hold the key in the start position for about another 2 seconds after it dies then it will kick over.

Is it just a battery problem or something more ?

Also, as a side note, this may or may not be related, but occasionly i will hear a sound like water trickling coming from the engine bay when the car is running (just after start up). Any ideas what this could be ?

Thanks for you help !

[don0xer]

water in the radiator could be the sound of trickling lol
CAS is the most notorious sensor at giving owners grief as an intermittent fault while starting. check your error codes first

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Make sure all your battery connections are clean and tight. Check where the positive lead goes to the starter as well, make sure the nut is tight and that the solenoid cap isn't loose.

Could also be a dodgy starter relay.

[gazzabrizz]

i actually have just encountered this same problem .i have vt clubsport gen 111 lsi motor .and when i drive a distance and say pull up at shops for a few minutes .turn car off and when go to start engine will kick over but wont keep running .then go call racq wait few minutes gueess . yes it starts . whats happening anyone

[Full Spectrum]

Sounds like a dieing battery..

My VT was a **** to start, IF anything was on it struggled, After some time it didn't want to start, And if it turned over it would crank go silent then out of nowhere start just..
After some time it wouldn't charge and would tick and flash dash lights..
And someday it was fine and others after a good run it wouldn't start on the spot.. Wait bingo. But in the end it just died.

I replaced the battery and all is fine now.

Same thing with the vp as above, Replaced battery on that all is fine now.


Below I attached a sound of my VT starting when it had issues.. Have a listen and i never take the key off start until it runs.. Quality **** sorry..

[VrWagz1]

I would be thinking battery or connections. I would check your battery levels make sure they are ok, then go for the terminals and then the starter terminals.

[gazzabrizz]

replaced battery today still does it

[Full Spectrum]

****!......

[accentstencil]

replaced battery today still does it

I'd say the starter motor is getting worn. I had the same symptoms you described, changed the starter motor and all was good.

[Maddog0077]

digging up an oldie i know, but as this is the closest description ive found on here, to what my car does. i was wondering what happened in the end with gazza's car & vt100's.

[a-rod]

Mine seems to be doing the same, all happened after i replaced the ignition barrel.

[Maddog0077]

really........thats interesting. hmmm

[Not_An_Abba_Fan]

Read post #3.

[Maddog0077]

the starter relay is the next thing im looking at, to be honest i havent used the car in over a week, so havent been thinking about it much. would the dealer be the only place to get a new relay ?
For now, i have just swaped the relays around, as they are the same between the start relay & the high beam & also the high speed fan. but i swaped the high beam one. will see if it it improves when i start using the car again.

[Maddog0077]

i can safely say its not the starter relay. im now curious if its anything to do with fuel. either injectors or pump ? or an associated relay or diaphram ? because if it doesnt start properly after 3 attempts, it then takes a handfull of cranking to fire the next time.

[darren44]

does the radio (if standard) need the code keyed in often. If so battery. But you say you have replaced it.
new relay maybe.

[Maddog0077]

does the radio (if standard) need the code keyed in often. If so battery. But you say you have replaced it.
new relay maybe.

stereo is aftermarket. no issues with battery at all, cranks strong when it actually cranks, almost every first start stalls imediately now, then usually 2nd attempt ok, getting suspicious of the ignition barrel. but not really sure what that would have to do with it ? certainly not the ignition relay, im sure about that.
as a side issue.... Is it normal to have to take the key out after putting in lock position, it wont turn back on again unless i reinsert the key.. but its ok just turning back to acc.

[Maddog0077]

i just read this thread, its exactly what im experiencing,
Car Wont Start on 1st Crank But Starts on 2nd .
i found the comment about the key interesting, cos i have had my rubber buttons replaced, & wonder if that upset something, although i wouldnt have thought my excec would have a immobiliser

[SUSS8]

Have a look at this website might help you a little bit explains pretty well. Faults - VT

Hope it all works out for ya

[Maddog0077]

have had look at that site, good info, but doesnt explain what symptoms of faults are very clearly, just made me more confused as to what to do.

Car played up real bad today, had to try at least 10 times to get it to start. half of those times was turning the key but nothing happening at all. so wonder if its actually getting worse.

[Maddog0077]

as I want to try & start a trend of actually updating threads, after a solution has been found. I think this forum is great, but too many threads are left to die, without the end fix being reveled.

Anyway rant over, I got a New key today from Holden. as i needed a spare anyway, & i wanted to try that before anything else in the ignition. It seems to have fixed my starting problems. guess my old one wasn't talking to the immobiliser very well. Hope this helps others in the future. Thanks for everyone's help.

[VTCommoDude]

Most battery places will check it for free. Sounds like a new battery is needed or new plus or new starter motor needed.
Try battery first, the simplest answers are often the correct ones.

[crew.man]

have had look at that site, good info, but doesnt explain what symptoms of faults are very clearly, just made me more confused as to what to do.

Car played up real bad today, had to try at least 10 times to get it to start. half of those times was turning the key but nothing happening at all. so wonder if its actually getting worse.

mine is doing exactly the same thing too. i have a 99 vt series 2
i can go all day and no problems other times everytime i start it it will either kick over and then stop so id try again and it might just do nothing at all then eventually after about 5 to 10 times it starts??? although i have noticed when it does kick over if i stop it half way and try again it starts so was the key the answer to all your problems and how much did it cost from where
cheers Peter

[Maddog0077]

mine is doing exactly the same thing too. i have a 99 vt series 2
i can go all day and no problems other times everytime i start it it will either kick over and then stop so id try again and it might just do nothing at all then eventually after about 5 to 10 times it starts??? although i have noticed when it does kick over if i stop it half way and try again it starts so was the key the answer to all your problems and how much did it cost from where
cheers Peter

Yeah key solved problem, just got it from holden dealer, $180 incl gst, for everything including coding

[crew.man]

cheers mate