We have a '98 Acclaim that doesn't start every time. When you turn the key it either doesn't crank at all, starts revs to 1000rpm and then dies regardless of whether you accelerate or not, or just cranks without starting. Each time you try is a lottery. It usually starts second or third or fourth time. It happens hot or cold. Not sure if it is related but fuel economy is pretty poor (around 14 l/100km) and there is a little hesitation when pulling away. Any help or advice on testing possible causes greatly appreciated.
+1 for faulty remote, if you are one of these people who knows their remote is flat but doesn't replace it ........bite tongue don't say it could also be key reader, VT had a poor design see if mode LED is turning off try pressing unlock on remote just before turning key
Dont think the key would cause poor fuel economy and hesitation. Have just dealt with similar issues with my 98 VT. Fuel injectors were dirty. (Narrowed it down to this or low fuel pump pressure) A clean fixed the hesitation problem straight away. I also had issues on start up and replaced my spark plugs and this has rectified that problem. Ive given the car a service and also gave the MAF a clean as well. Running the best it has in the 9 months Ive owned the car now. On a side note, I was driving a 97 Falcon the other week and it too would die off after 1000rpm and had trouble starting. It wasnt my car, so called racv, the problem turned out to be a wiring plug had come loose under the bonnet. Plugged it in and ran fine.
Used the second key all day today and it started first time each time. If it continues to, does this mean the other key is faulty or needs a new battery - it is an aftermarket key by the way. Will running some injector cleaner through the system be worthwhile for the economy/hesitation issue?
Could also be low fuel pressure cause the fuel pump is on the way out. Get someone to turn the ignition on while you stick your head under the fuel tank and listen to the pump priming. If it sounds really noisy or like it is struggling it may be stuffed. This was the problem I had with mine
if you determine that the 1st key remote is your cause then please buy a new genuine remote either from Holden or quality locksmith. don't patch it up
We have been using the original key all the time now and it has always started first time. Using the original key we have also noticed that the idle no longer lumpy, there is no hesitation when pulling away from rest, and the car feels smoother. I will measure fuel economy too in case that improves with the original key. How can a key effect so much???
you are entering the twilight zone possibly security system is intermittently not disengaging (I doubt it) or possibly pychological now that you are happy your car is starting fine you are not so critical or perhaps you are driving differently or perhaps you had some bad fuel as well as a faulty remote
Seriously, if I run it with the aftermarket key now back to back with the original key, it has a lumpy idle and hesitates as you pull away.
Ok I have no idea. remote should not affect it at all if you are curious try disconnecting battery in car for 5 minutes to clear codes (if you have radio pin) then go for a drive with faulty remote, then check codes if you are really curious you could get it on a dyno or and/or tech 2 and see what's different
