2004 VZ Alloytec Running Rough

[ToastMalone]

Update: Can of worms still isnt fixed as there seems to be multiple issues,

Alternator was replaced with a brand new one, mechanic said the cars all fixed and running fine, picked the car up, ran fine for 5-10kms and then i got the service vehicle soon message and started running like crap again, the mechanic then suggested its possibly a wiring/electrical issue.

Took it to ANOTHER different mechanic today and they went over the car and said its definitely nothing mechanical and suggested possible ECU issue

Car is currently throwing all sorts of codes.

Dropped it into a new auto electrician place this afternoon cause it was across the road from the mechanic lol -- had a chat to the bloke after he had spent a hour or two looking over it and he said there is something crazy going on with it and its going to need alot of work and explained the waterpump is trying to pump backwards, the alternator isnt getting enough power, bad connection with ignition, and the earths that the last mechanic which replaced the alternator just 'fell' off when he touched it. everything is getting the wrong voltage and going haywire

Hes going to keep it at the workshop and go over it in hes spare time to squeeze me in schedule


These are the scan results before it went into the auto elec. (send help and beer)

The mechanic who went over the car this morning was questioning why we have spent so much on the car he said everything is brand new, wonder if Holden would consider giving me extended warranty for the dedication

 

[lout]

and explained the waterpump is trying to pump backwards,

please explain
i think this guy may be taking you for a ride
or you misunderstood something

 

[ToastMalone]

please explain
i think this guy may be taking you for a ride
or you misunderstood something

Honestly not really sure what he meant kind of thought about it after lol. we were both in abit of a rush, i will give them a call and clarify in the morning.

the turbine is trying to spin backwards or something possibly idk (its making a rattle noise like there is a screw flapping around in the driverside front of the engine he said thats what the sound actually is, the waterpump. the sound happens when its running like crap

 

[Fu Manchu]

It can’t spin backwards.

 

[Fu Manchu]

Get another mechanic.

 

[Fu Manchu]

A water pump will not make the car run rough.

 

[Fu Manchu]

Rereading this, I’d like to think our suggestions for basic servicing have been done.

Stop getting rooted by workshops.

Time to get an actual diagnostic technician involved. Someone who will diagnose the issues on more than a guess and swapping BS parts.

The TAT network are diagnostic guns that are in workshops all over Australia. They are unique in the Automotive industry as a group. They don’t parts swap. Every fault has a method of finding the cause as an absolute. If there is a vacuum leak, it’s found a few ways and is undeniable data. If it’s an ECM, there is a Shinto load of data to back it up. If it’s a faulty water pump, they are going to laugh their arses off and say, “good one mate. It’s not a water pump”. If the timing is out, wave form data on a picoscope will support a diagnosis without even spinning a spanner.

So contact their Head office. Email them at the link shown below.

https://www.tat.net.au/contact-us.html

(Ignore the pop up)

Do not give them the story. They don’t care and it’s not relative to resolving the problem. Just tell them where you live and where there is a member near you.

Then go to that workshop and actually get your car sorted. They will be able to provide the evidence for the diagnosis rather than tell you what it is based on a guess.

I hope you got your old alternator back. You own it.

 

[Fu Manchu]

Here is an example by one of their members.
This may not be your exact problem but it shows how they look at the wave form data coming from the sensors , or in this case the injectors.

Or this. Same again, maybe not your issue but shows one way to quickly confirm a fault without using guesses.

 

[ToastMalone]

Thank-you so much for the feedback, i will message that TAT place and see whats near me <3

Called the auto elecs to clarify what he meant by the water pump trying to spin backwards, he said that when it has its issue and starts running rough the waterpump is locking up - he seen it do it (not going backwards as such)

He also said that may be another issue all together just something he noticed

 

[Fu Manchu]

It’s nothing to do with a magical water pump.