2015 VF SV6 LACK OF POWER (FLAT SPOT)

[occtec]

Hi guys, well the result is positive and negative. Firstly I had no issues after cleaning throttle body and disconnecting battery for the whole night. Panhead, looks like I've fallen into the lucky group of people, I didn't break the gear set nor did I experience any idle issues. Started car up in the morning and went straight to the servo emptied a bottle of injector cleaner and filled up with 98 octane. One interesting thing I noticed was that after reconnecting the battery my radio stations were intact and the was no prompt for security code only the time/date needed to be adjusted. Is this normal, I only disconnected the negative lead in the end and not both. As for cleaning the throttle body, I gently moved the butterfly plate sprayed some Nulon throttle body cleaner on a clean rag and cleaned out the entire throttle body also using a toothbrush around both pivot points of the plate then pieced it back together. Now for the negative, there is little if any improvement and I've had a gut full. Is there anyway to reset the computer yourself or is going to Holden the only way?

 

[occtec]

So I've noticed that, traveling at constant speed when I apply the throttle it doesn't kick back until I further apply more pressure to the point the pedal is halfway down before it kicks back but then it's too much. Lack of response from the go pedal after get up and go when driving at a constant speed. Is there an adjustment for the Accelerator pedal height as mine seems to sit too low?? When both pedals are up the accelerator sits reasonably lower then the brake pedal and lastly I also noticed that Switching between Park and reverse or reverse and Park the shift is not smooth but quite stiff. So yeah feeling pretty frustrated at the moment especially when Holden service say, it just needs to adapt to your driving can take up to a month, I can't see how this will raise my pedal to where it should sit, but hey I could be wrong. Cheers

 

[greenacc]

Good to hear it's all running smoothly again at least. Your car wil now run a few percent better thanks to your efforts even though it may not be noticeable yet.
From memory it's normal not to lose radio stations after disconnecting the battery.
For what ts worth the harsh shifting sounds to me like the box needs a service with some nice slippery synthetic fluid but that's going to cost more than a bottle of TB cleaner... Really sux how they make boxes sealed these days, the older 4 speed I've got is easy and cheap to do and loves the smooth shift type fluids.
Your description of the sedate throttle response is exactly like my VE, id say it's how Holden tune them. So visiting a performance tuner to wind it up a bit would be the best way to change that.
I'm not familiar with the 6 speed box but do you drive it in Drive or ? It's programmed to use the highest gear possible so that's working against you when you want acceleration.
Keep researching and improving it and it will only get better. Being a rental it would have been flogged a bit so give it as much servicing as you can to begin with.

 

[occtec]

Good to hear it's all running smoothly again at least. Your car wil now run a few percent better thanks to your efforts even though it may not be noticeable yet.
From memory it's normal not to lose radio stations after disconnecting the battery.
For what ts worth the harsh shifting sounds to me like the box needs a service with some nice slippery synthetic fluid but that's going to cost more than a bottle of TB cleaner... Really sux how they make boxes sealed these days, the older 4 speed I've got is easy and cheap to do and loves the smooth shift type fluids.
Your description of the sedate throttle response is exactly like my VE, id say it's how Holden tune them. So visiting a performance tuner to wind it up a bit would be the best way to change that.
I'm not familiar with the 6 speed box but do you drive it in Drive or ? It's programmed to use the highest gear possible so that's working against you when you want acceleration.
Keep researching and improving it and it will only get better. Being a rental it would have been flogged a bit so give it as much servicing as you can to begin with.

Thanks for the reply, yeah I don't really feel like I'm moving forward to be honest. In regards to the trans service my own mechanic would just undo the trans drain plug, drain out the old fluid, take off the pan for a new filter and gasket and fill it with full synthetic, he's pretty old school though and I'm not sure if this would safely suffice. As for the 6 speed, yeah I mainly drive it in drive and occasionally in sports mode but, since I've done the throttle body clean I don't see any difference between drive and sports mode :-( I may just have to run it for a few weeks and see how I go otherwise I may take it to a renowned Trans specialist that has been around for 70 years, they have all the high tech tools and said they can take it for a test drive with a scan tool hooked up and run some diagnostics, they said they would only charge me $88 may be money well spent. Not sure if I should do trans service with my old mechanic until the trans specialist checks it out first as I'm not sure how well that would go down with Holden should they need to investigate further. Didn't need this headache when I purchased the car especially after passing just under $30k that's what I'm really pissed about at the moment. It's been a long couple days and I think it's time to hit the hay. Cheers

 

[redvxr8clubby]

I'm still thinking along the lines of greenacc in that it's design intent that the throttle response is limited until you plant your foot a little more. My AFM 6 litre drives this way, and the AFM although sure it's a 6 litre V8, but it is made with economy in mind. Holden like any manufacturer aim the cars towards economy, as better fuel consumption help sell the cars and also I figure a car which is a bit more sedate in throttle response most likely contributes to its longer term durability, and at least if it's in warranty (and possibly even after warranty) the manufacturer covers the cost of repairs. I'm thinking given you're not happy with the car, that $88 spend could be worth your while even if in the end they also don't see a fault. If they do find an issue, from warranty perspective you've got something to go back to Holden with from a Transmission specialist. I suspect as you prefer to drive on light throttle (as for the most part I do also) and just want some throttle response with the light throttle that the "relearn" isn't going to do much, but a least if you bear with it for a while, you have followed the advice from both Holden and others and perhaps it will contribute to the result you are hoping for.

 

[occtec]

I'm still thinking along the lines of greenacc in that it's design intent that the throttle response is limited until you plant your foot a little more. My AFM 6 litre drives this way, and the AFM although sure it's a 6 litre V8, but it is made with economy in mind. Holden like any manufacturer aim the cars towards economy, as better fuel consumption help sell the cars and also I figure a car which is a bit more sedate in throttle response most likely contributes to its longer term durability, and at least if it's in warranty (and possibly even after warranty) the manufacturer covers the cost of repairs. I'm thinking given you're not happy with the car, that $88 spend could be worth your while even if in the end they also don't see a fault. If they do find an issue, from warranty perspective you've got something to go back to Holden with from a Transmission specialist. I suspect as you prefer to drive on light throttle (as for the most part I do also) and just want some throttle response with the light throttle that the "relearn" isn't going to do much, but a least if you bear with it for a while, you have followed the advice from both Holden and others and perhaps it will contribute to the result you are hoping for.

I'm not sure if it's design intent, I've test driven a few of these whilst looking for I've to purchase and throttle response has been better then mine, but unfortunately I did not notice this on mine until after the purchase. I'll get the trans specialist to check it out in a few weeks and take it from there. Is there anyway to reset the computer yourself instead of going to Holden, I'm wondering if this would make any difference. Also on Sunday I'm going for a but of a country run, so I'll open up the throttle a bit and give it a bit of a run on the freeway maybe this will make some difference with the relearn also. But I'm also concerned about the stiff shift between Park and reverse and vice versa almost like you have to force it in.

EDIT: Another thing I've noticed is when you first start the car up with your foot on the brake of course and select reverse when you release the brake pedal the car doesn't reverse unless you put your foot on the accelerator, my 2013 VE before I got this one didn't have this issue, once in reverse you used your brake pedal as the car would reverse on its own. Is that normal??

 

[greenacc]

Show that shifting issue to the Trans specialist as well, and see if they suggest new fluid.
Enjoy the country run that's what Commodores are designed for not the traffic jungle we often get stuck in.

 

[occtec]

Show that shifting issue to the Trans specialist as well, and see if they suggest new fluid.
Enjoy the country run that's what Commodores are designed for not the traffic jungle we often get stuck in.

Will do mate and yeah we need more open roads especially in Adelaide, lol...

 

[426Cuda]

Will do mate and yeah we need more open roads especially in Adelaide, lol...

It's difficult for anyone to gain an understanding of the issue, let alone diagnose the cause, just from a description.
If there is an issue with the engine or tranny performance, i would expect there to be other symptoms; e.g. increased fuel consumption, (post up your's), rough idle, higher than normal running temp, etc. Have you looked under the bonnet at night with the engine running to see if there is a spark either jumping or running along the length of a lead? This would indicate an ill fitting or damaged lead that could result in similar symptoms to those you describe. Can you hear a misfire at the engine or exhaust. Does the car perform better when cold immediately after intitial daily startup? Anything like this should be documented and pointed out to your disinterested dealer.
I know you drove others prior to purchase, but if I were you I would test drive another similar car. Ideally at the same dealership. If it does not perform very similar to yours, then get the workshop supervisor / manager to drive both cars too. If there is a marked difference they would be unlikely to then simply fob you off. If you are not satisfied then burn that dealer and log a call or send an email directly to Holden. Also take it to another dealer. Just tell them it's unresponsive and the tranny doesn't feel right and request a technician drives it with you.
A word of warning - Do not tell them you had the throttle body apart! If this was to fail, e.g. one of the screws came loose and damaged your engine, you'd be on your own. Stuffed motor, no warranty.
I am quite adept at mechanical stuff, having rebuilt numerous engines, manual trannies and diffs etc and there is no way I would risk my Redline's warranty by doing that myself!
Finally at this stage I would not let any repairer near the car, unless they are a Holden dealership. Again, if you are heading down the path of a significant warranty claim (which personally I doubt), then you do not want to give Holden any reason, percieved or actual, to deny the claim due to repairs performed by others.
Find a good dealer amd repectfully demand the car is adequately diagnosed.

 

[occtec]

It's difficult for anyone to gain an understanding of the issue, let alone diagnose the cause, just from a description.
If there is an issue with the engine or tranny performance, i would expect there to be other symptoms; e.g. increased fuel consumption, (post up your's), rough idle, higher than normal running temp, etc. Have you looked under the bonnet at night with the engine running to see if there is a spark either jumping or running along the length of a lead? This would indicate an ill fitting or damaged lead that could result in similar symptoms to those you describe. Can you hear a misfire at the engine or exhaust. Does the car perform better when cold immediately after intitial daily startup? Anything like this should be documented and pointed out to your disinterested dealer.
I know you drove others prior to purchase, but if I were you I would test drive another similar car. Ideally at the same dealership. If it does not perform very similar to yours, then get the workshop supervisor / manager to drive both cars too. If there is a marked difference they would be unlikely to then simply fob you off. If you are not satisfied then burn that dealer and log a call or send an email directly to Holden. Also take it to another dealer. Just tell them it's unresponsive and the tranny doesn't feel right and request a technician drives it with you.
A word of warning - Do not tell them you had the throttle body apart! If this was to fail, e.g. one of the screws came loose and damaged your engine, you'd be on your own. Stuffed motor, no warranty.
I am quite adept at mechanical stuff, having rebuilt numerous engines, manual trannies and diffs etc and there is no way I would risk my Redline's warranty by doing that myself!
Finally at this stage I would not let any repairer near the car, unless they are a Holden dealership. Again, if you are heading down the path of a significant warranty claim (which personally I doubt), then you do not want to give Holden any reason, percieved or actual, to deny the claim due to repairs performed by others.
Find a good dealer amd repectfully demand the car is adequately diagnosed.

Thanks mate, I'll check it all out and get the opinion of another dealer. As for the throttle body, I cleaned it on the car not on the bench. Something's definitely not right otherwise I wouldn't be wasting my time or anyone else's. Thanks guys I'll keep you all posted once I have some positive feedback. Cheers