Powertrain Warning - Hard start - low revs

[cassandra]

I've read a lot of posts over the months regarding powertrain warning light, bad idling etc.

I have low revs upon starting, rich smelling petrol, powertrain warning comes up, throw into reverse or drive - revs fine, warning gone and on my way. Petrol usage is high, then low. All over the shop.

This week, weather had been hot, car has been especially difficult and petrol usage is lower than ever.

My question is - has anyone had a resolution to their problem with similar issues.

I have had comp hooked up, and taken to mechanics, etc. Never has an issue when im there, computer says its fine and had 02 sensors cleaned.

ANY feedback will be helpful.

[oscar03]

if you had a mechanic plug it in it WOULD tell what fault(s) it has had as the car retains them till cleared. so even if it was running fine at the time you had it there you can still see what fault caused the p/t light to come on so i would start by taking to a competant mechanic if the one you whent to can,t find any thing.

[cassandra]

yeh i was told by another mechanic that my mechanic should pick it up in long term memory so took it straight there. i saw the computer and the only fault was (not sure on exact words) something about exhaust cam shaft in park. he couldnt tell me what that means

[Whitesack07]

I had that come on twice to me, when i was starting up an it came on, turns out i had a Fuel pump that was stuffed

[CRUSTIN]

As a last resort go to Holden. Expensive, but they would deal with a lot of those problems. Even if you only pay for the diagnosis.

[Whitesack07]

As a last resort go to Holden. Expensive, but they would deal with a lot of those problems. Even if you only pay for the diagnosis.

i went to holden the diagnosed my problems why my ute wasnt running the best, an now utes running great

[cassandra]

I think holden may be my last resort, just a little un- sure as a lot of posts ive read regarding similar issue - they've taken to holden, told them problem fixed it and still next day same issue.

Im no expert (far from it) but i know my car and it's re-occurring problems and i am positive it has to do with fuel pump / fuel filter. But my question to anyone who knows anything - would this play up more in warm weather???

[CRUSTIN]

If the same problem comes back then you should be able to take it back to Holden and tell them they didn't fix it, then they its their problem because you paid them and they misdiagnosed the problem.

[mr031]

Thats the problem with dealers, the think they can do and charge what ever they want. I have a scan tool and charge no where near what they want and will scan again till the problem is sorted.

[cassandra]

Thats the problem with dealers, the think they can do and charge what ever they want. I have a scan tool and charge no where near what they want and will scan again till the problem is sorted.

Can you recommend anyone in my area? Bendigo VIC (2hrs outside melb)

[CAPRILICIOUS WL]

It could be ur plugs or a faulty coil pack that's causing the rough idle which in return would affect fuel consumption.

If you were close by I could have tried n helped u out.
Good luck.
Dave.

[cassandra]

It could be ur plugs or a faulty coil pack that's causing the rough idle which in return would affect fuel consumption.

If you were close by I could have tried n helped u out.
Good luck.
Dave.

My car is booked in a place here in Bendigo, my husband know's him. He is going all over it tomorrow, back to front - front to back, up down and around. So let's see what he finds. He's on a mission to find the problem and considering hot weather makes it worse, it's going to be ripper tomorrow at 28 degrees. But then again, we al know the story; take the car to the mechanic and it plays nice for the day.

Will keep you all posted.

CAPRILICIOUS - where abouts in melbourne are you located? I make regular trips to melb and if nothing can be found here i'll be heading your way

[CAPRILICIOUS WL]

I'm honestly probably am no better than a mechanic.
I was trying to save you some coin by offering help
Was gona check over the plugs for any damage and any signs of unusual wear on the coils.

More than Likely it will be one of the two causing the issue.

Let u's know how u go.

[vz_sv6_owner1990]

I'd be telling the mechanic to check the resistance of the coil on plugs first cause that's the most likely cause of the rough idle and would also bring up the power train fault on your dash

[cassandra]

awesome thanks guys. ive always had a couple things in mind, coils were one of them and he said the same things as me, no he'll be checking all. Will be interesting. The last few days ive actually been thinking possible more than just the one thing going on. Will let you all know.

CAPRILICIOUS --> at least you know what your looking at. When my dad showed me the way around an engine was back in the carby days. 1st car a VH. Pop the bonnet on these new computer things and im stumped - AND i hate it.

[CAPRILICIOUS WL]

CAPRILICIOUS --> at least you know what your looking at. When my dad showed me the way around an engine was back in the carby days. 1st car a VH. Pop the bonnet on these new computer things and im stumped - AND i hate it.

There is always a starting point to begin with.

I had to teach myself in some way or another or else I would have to fork out in increments of $100 for so many checks and diagnosis on my car.

The alloytec is quite easy to learn when it comes to a simple oil, filter plugs and coils change and inspection.

Have a crack at it once

[cassandra]

Have a crack at it once

Id love to be able to do the basics, im hands on. But need a teacher..

[impulsive]

all the basics are the same, have a go!

[cassandra]

SO.... he went over the car and hooked up computer - and just to add im getting this 3rd hand from my husband and i dont understand everything. has checked gaskets, coils and all that stuff. No worries. and went through some other computer stuff all good. (by the way this is just the short story) end result - he's almost positive mines fuel related, and thinks its got to do with some prong things in the petrol tank not working well etc etc etc and all that stuff about petrol b/c i ALWAYS have my car under half to empty. Again this may sound weird cos i have no idea what im talking about - at this point, he wants me to drive around for the next 2 weeks with the car no less than half full and if improves going to replace some stuff in there. (btw - this is all at no charge)

i forgot how heavy my car feels with a full tank of petrol. oh and put premium in too

I have a free day Sunday so i might familiarise myself with my car.

[Vzniko]

As a last resort go to Holden. Expensive, but they would deal with a lot of those problems. Even if you only pay for the diagnosis.

No they won't. Took it to holden all they did is cleared the fault charged me $55 and send me on my way. They couldn't be bothered. Car has been doing it since 2008 (63,000K) Iit is now sitting on 158,000K and after hundreds of dollars I have spend, nobody can find what it is?
Any good mechanics around anywhere? I mean its not rocket science is it??

[CAPRILICIOUS WL]

No they won't. Took it to holden all they did is cleared the fault charged me $55 and send me on my way. They couldn't be bothered. Car has been doing it since 2008 (63,000K) Iit is now sitting on 158,000K and after hundreds of dollars I have spend, nobody can find what it is?
Any good mechanics around anywhere? I mean its not rocket science is it??

I'm guessing you have changed the battery since u bought it at least once, if not could it be a wrong size battery? Too weak?? What's the alternator voltage while running?
When does the problem appear? Cold/hot, start up, above a certain speed?etc...
Have you changed your accelerator foot pedal?
When did it occur, as in after what modification, alteration did msg start appearing.

[Sabbath']

Rich smelling petrol through the exhaust could be caused by an over fuelling situation, when you first start, the idle enrichment could be too high, throwing too much fuel in.

Alternatively, you could also have leaky injectors, causing excess fuel in the intake when you go to start the car. Car is started, ECU puts it on cold enrichment, already has an amount of fuel in the intake, adds more to it, overfuels, bogs the engine down.


Just one theory, wayyy too early in the morning and details are vague

[Vzniko]

Was gona check over the plugs for any damage and any signs of unusual wear on the coils.

More than Likely it will be one of the two causing the issue.

Let u's know how u go.

Spot on! Mine had very bad misfiring, and check powertrain error would come up all the time.
Changed spark plugs and coil packs and problem fixed.
Coil packs will cost you $150 each not including labour, but my local repco store had them for $50 each so I grabbed 6
and a pack of spark plugs, took me 2 hours for the whole job.
To clear the powertrain error just unplug the negative from the battery.

Now your problem might be a bit different though, as I never had smell of petrol in the cabin, and my fuel consumption was normal.
Mine was engine firing problem. Mechanic said it is very common with the VZs. Coil packs are crappy apparently even though made by BOSCH
who I thought its a good company.

[cassandra]

Hi guys, My coil pack is fine apparently as i finally found a mechanic (this one im seeing now) that would check everything. I think we're onto something and my powertrain seems to definitely be fuel related. So just letting you all know im not ignoring anything, and taking in and using all your advice & appreciate it very much (which is exactly the reason i signed up ) so keep it coming and i'll keep you posted on my progress. I've just finished logging 2 weeks worth of notes for every, and i mean every single time i start my car.

vzniko - have to ask, did you also have issues while driving? Meaning, the powertrain warning, low revs, rough idling etc? just curious

[The_Doctor]

Take it to Holden's or if you cant,a reputable repair centre like Ultratune and pay little advice to these forums because no one here would have a clue and even a mechanic won't unless he actually looks at the car himself.