2008 60th Ann Commodore Dead on Corners

I'm sorry to hear you are still dealing with this problem... I wouldve given up by now and sold the bloody thing!
The good thing is you've presented to the dealer within warranty.... so even though they havent been able to find the fault, the fault existed during warranty. So claiming afterwards should be ok if you keep your records in order.

Solutions wise... hell, it could be anything!

The fact that it's intermittent and there's no fault codes being logged, screams electrical to me- not mechanical.
If it was a fuel issue (drop in pressure etc) forcing the engine to stall, it would log the problem. Same with poor spark... the misfire would cause a rich mixture, and a log would be generated.

A loose cable or faulty electronic component however, dropping power to the primary ECU would prevent a log being generated... and then when reconnection happens the problem 'never happened'.

Very difficult to diagnose, because all modern cars these days have a pc to tell the mechanic what the issue is... but what if the issue of the engine cutting out was also preventing an error code as well?
It's got something to do with ignition/electrical supply, I seriously doubt its anything mechanical.

A complete loss of power that's rectified as soon as you turn the key to off and then on again?
It might have something to do with the car security system? Like the immobiliser kicking in and cutting everything.

Since the dealer cant help you, I reckon instead of going to a different mechanic you go to an autoelectrician.
If someone else can find the problem, maybe holden will help cover it since they couldnt find the issue themselves. Document everything!

As already suggested, go for a long test drive at night with no traffic around... and film it!
If you can show the electrician what's happening and when (under load, not under load etc), they might be able to narrow it down further.

In all the examples given above, the car seems to be sitting at lights (brake on, indicator on?), and then as you accelerate around the corner you've moved enough to be I'm assuming half way through the corner... and the thing just dies?
If that's the case, first try and try again to repeat it until you can get it to happen more often than not. Even if it means taking the same corner over and over- or going to a nice big carpark not in use (like the roof parking on a tuesday evening or something) and try and get it to happen. Figure eights, stop start, indicators.... waiting a minute or so stationary just like you would be at lights. Hard acceleration, soft.... the lot.

You got to be able to replicate the problem fairly consistently.

It sucks that Holden hasnt been able to fix it in years, but to get results you have to at least demonstrate the fault. Video every test. Note everything. Fuel levels, is car cold/warm/hot, is it raining, is radio on, are headlights on, is it a left turn or right turn, at what speed does it cut out... everything!!

With intermittent problems, its more often than not a problem that CAN be replicated if you do everything exactly the same. You just need to know the exact state of the car when it happens.

 

Any idea what this sensor is? Is it related to the yaw sensor? ie- could it be as simple as a faulty or poorly secured g sensor? I would expect a code logged, but I've been wrong far too many times about what I expect. (Read codes for someone recently and it even logged a code that a CD was once put in upside down, so I'd be surprised it didn't log something if this sensor cut the engine thinking an accident occurred. But maybe they figured an accident is obvious and doesn't need a code.)

Great write up UFO, I like your thinking. But I can pretty much rule this one out. Quite confident the immobilizer only checks on start-up. Also I know that a code is logged if you use the wrong key. Before I'd programmed my new key, but after it was cut, I tried it to test if any other method of programming worked other than TIS (no they didn't). But electrical seems likely to me for the reasons you list.

Wednesday - Have you had any work at all done to the car before this started? No matter how insignificant or unrelated it may seem. Or have you noticed anything else that is playing up? Have you seen anyone else other than the dealer, like an auto electrician? Have an idea or two, but will check them out a bit more first.

 

Wednesday

Check your message in box. Tks.

 

I find it disturbing that Holden say "if it doesn't log a code, there's nothing we can fix" -
is "problem solving" nothing more than a history lesson at mechanic-school these days ?

Anyway, I see that several people have suggested that Wednesday go to another mechanic - I'd agree with that.
But perhaps what she needs is a recommendation - can anyone her suggest a mechanic in Melbourne that has skill & experience with the VE ?

And, Wednesday, did you try the RACV ? How did that go ?

there is a thread in the VZ sub-forum that sounds a little similar -
http://forums.justcommodores.com.au...-i-slow-down-stop-when-i-am-hard-turning.html

 

how often do you drive the car and how many times a week does it do it.
can they maybe take it for a day or 2 and drive it (even if the service manager uses it for a week or something)

 

Well your warranty running out does not matter one bit. You reported it and gave it to them within the warranty period, so they still have to rectify the situation. Them wasting time until it runs out and saying tough luck is not how the law works. It really does sound like they are hoping you'll just go away and give up. Don't. Just wondering if you first took it to them while it was still under the standard warranty and not the extended? I'm far from an expert in these matters, but I believe the standard warranty is by Holden, where the extended might be purely the dealer. If it first went to them after the standard warranty ran out, read the fine print and see if what they're saying is correct about taking it anywhere else voiding it (it definitely cannot void the standard warranty). Also see if it rules out taking it to another Holden dealer. Again, that can only be in the fine print for the extended if at all, not the standard.

Personally I'd really be ticked off, especially seeing the note about not spending time on it. You're right not to pay for warranty work, that's what they're for. So I would be contacting Holden head office directly and talking to them. I think I've seen on here a few times a particular division to contact, but have no idea who that is. With some luck a knowledgeable person can give you more information. But if they don't, I'm sure just getting in contact with head office will help you out. Unfortunately there are some bad dealers out there, but not all Holden are like that. You've been stuffed about by this lot far too long, and deserve much better. Take it higher. Gather all the information you can (receipts, dates it was in, work done, a list of any and all problems and concerns you have) and talk to Holden. They will probably help, even if this has only been reported under the extended warranty, but will be easier to deal with if it came about under the standard one. (It all depends on who is ultimately responsible and issued the extended if that's the only one that covers it). After all, the dealer is representing Holden. And hopefully it wont come to the point of taking it any further, but that's why we have regulatory authorities.

Good luck sorting this soon.

 

Wouldn't bother printing advise from a forum, just all the service documents. Holden Service is who you should contact and the slack dealer will then give Holden all the info and Holden may even help the idiots to find the problem. It should have been documented on your service reciepts that you reported the fault during warranty. Sorry to hear you paid for the extended stealership protection plan. I thought they threw it in with the mud flaps and mats, then you pay with service costs.

 

Sorry, didn't proof read my post. Holden Customer Service.
Has anyone had a positive experience with these dealer warranties.

 

Hi, I soooo know what you've been experiencing with your car. I purchased the same model this year in April and just in the three last months I have been having the same problem as well. And strangely I can say that it does happen when I am going round a round about or turning a corner. I haven't actually taken it to holden but just seeing what you've been through with them it sounds like a lost cause if I bring it in. I did have my vehicle serviced in July and then one day I had a 'check engine' pop up on screen so when I called RACQ they said I had a oil pressure sensor problem. I took it in again to get that fixed and then it was after that time I have had these cut offs. I do remember the falla saying they had reset the sensor. I mentioned this to my dealership and they said there's nothing that they can do but I will need to take it back to the workshop where I had the car serviced.
It is really dangerous as you say as I have a young baby and at times when the car cuts out, there's cars behind and all you can do is put the hazard lights on quickly or else you'll get hit. You have the crazy drivers where they tail gate and your trying to speed up a bit and then the bloody car just gives out. Been close times where I nearly got hit by a bus.
So yeah taking the car back soon to the workshop but I am thinking...if that don't work then I'm selling and thumbs down to holden with regards to what you've been through. THUMBS DOWN!!