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98 vt commodore, cant start car without bypassing start relay.

Discussion in 'VT - VX Holden Commodore (1997 - 2002)' started by karlee, Sep 20, 2013.

  1. Sep 20, 2013 #1
    karlee

    karlee New Member

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    HELP!
    I have a 98 VT, one day it just wouldn't crank.
    I replaced the starter motor, ignition barrel, ignition switch, start relay, fuses, keys, immobiliser, park/neutral switch...
    When i turn the key to run i can hear something buzz in the engine bay then nothing. I now have to bypass the relay to get my car started.
    Im thinking something between the relay and the barrel is causing the problem but im out of ideas what it could be... Any advice?
     
    karlee, Sep 20, 2013
    #1
  2. Sep 20, 2013 #2
    Tasmaniak

    Tasmaniak Not a valid input....

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    Take out a multimeter and check that when cranked there is power going down to the relay from the ignition barrel.
     
    Tasmaniak, Sep 20, 2013
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  3. Sep 21, 2013 #3
    lout

    lout Well-Known Member

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    when you bypass the relay which terminals are you bridging
    and as tasmaniak said a multimeter would nut it out in a few minutes
     
    lout, Sep 21, 2013
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  4. Sep 21, 2013 #4
    BlackVXGTS

    BlackVXGTS Well-Known Member

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    Where did you purchase the start relay? I remember reading a number of posts recently that indicated you need to purchase genuine relays from Holden because the OEM replacements were wired incorrectly even though they looked the same. May or may not be your problem.
     
    BlackVXGTS, Sep 21, 2013
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  5. Sep 22, 2013 #5
    karlee

    karlee New Member

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    Bought the new relay from "auto one"
    Have put the new relay in and nothing changed, initially i swapped the relays around and still nothing changed. So theres either something wrong with every relay under the bonnet (highly doubt that!) or its something else.
    I am bridging 87 and 30 i think.
     
    Last edited: Sep 22, 2013
    karlee, Sep 22, 2013
    #5
  6. Sep 22, 2013 #6
    lout

    lout Well-Known Member

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    on a typical relay
    terminal 30 is battery positive
    terminal 87 is the relay ouput
    terminal 85 is switching positive
    terminal 86 is negative
    in the start circuit on commodore
    terminal 87 goes to starter solenoid
    terminal 30 goes to ignition switch (thick wire)
    terminal 85 goes to ignition switch (thin wire)
    terninal 86 goes to inhibit switch then ECU
    bridging 87 and 85 will work until you burn out your wiring loom which shouldn't take long
     
    lout, Sep 22, 2013
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  7. Sep 22, 2013 #7
    karlee

    karlee New Member

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    I have a piece of wire that i use to bridge it. I put it in 30 then tap it in 87 and the car starts.
     
    karlee, Sep 22, 2013
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  8. Sep 22, 2013 #8
    lout

    lout Well-Known Member

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    that will be safe as long as you leave your car in park, if you leave it in gear it will start and drive away without you
    you will need a test light or multimeter and find out what is wrong long term
     
    lout, Sep 22, 2013
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  9. Sep 22, 2013 #9
    karlee

    karlee New Member

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    I went and got a workshop manual and in the book it says connect terminals 5 and 6 on the data link connector. With the ignition on the check engine light flashes which i should then code 12 should flash 3 times on the display on the dash, this indicates that the PCM diagnostic system is operating correctly, but nothing came up on the display.

    Would that mean the PCM is F**ked???
     
    karlee, Sep 22, 2013
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  10. Sep 22, 2013 #10
    lout

    lout Well-Known Member

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    does the CEL (check engine light) come on when you turn the ignition to on (red lights on dash)
    i doubt the ECU is faulty as car probably wouldn't run at all
     
    lout, Sep 22, 2013
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  11. Sep 22, 2013 #11
    karlee

    karlee New Member

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    Yes it comes on.
    If the ecu was faulty my car wouldnt run but it does.
     
    karlee, Sep 22, 2013
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  12. Sep 22, 2013 #12
    Nut Kracker

    Nut Kracker Donating Member

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    Have a look at the connectors that the relay plugs into.
    Sometimes, if a relay has been removed and replaced a few times, the female spade connectors can get pushed down
    and not make proper, or no contact with the relay.
    It may just simply be a case of pushing the wires up from underneath to re seat the connectors in their position.
     
    Nut Kracker, Sep 22, 2013
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