MPA
New Member
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2019
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 1
- Age
- 31
- Location
- Rockhampton
- Members Ride
- VX Executive S2
Hi Everyone,
Bit desperate here, first time posting.
This will be a bit of a long post just so I can get as much information out there to help diagnose the issue.
Car: HOLDEN COMMODORE VX (S2?) 2002 4 Door Sedan 3.8 litre, LN3 (L36) V6
So my issue is my voltage starts off at 13.5V (Dash Readout) and gradually drops to <11V over time.
There is no issue getting it started and it always starts with what I believe to be reasonable voltages.
First sign there is a problem is the Tacko comes and goes and then drops out all-together. Second the music system goes in and out, just the sound over the speakers at first and then the whole head unit starts turning on and off. The ABS light comes on next and headlights get dull. Push it any further and all the dash lights starts coming and going. Eventually the car stalls.
The Battery Light does not come on until all the light start playing up.
The voltage drops faster the faster I drive. So 10mins at 60km it's fine, I can get to the shops before I run into major issues. But if I try to drive 10mins at 80km plus it drops much faster.
What I have done so far.
1) I replaced the Alternator, this had no effect at all. (Advice from RACQ and Family)
2) I replaced the Battery. This gave me about 3 weeks with no problems. But they have now returned identical to before.
I checked with my own multimeter and also had RACQ check and the Alternator and Battery seem to be fine on start-up.
I have had family suggest the ECU as the next part to replace however reading other posts online, including this forum. It sounds like the issues are too far spread to be the ECU or at least JUST the ECU.
Any help or advice is much appreciated!
I'm a bit stressed out at this point.
I'm worried taking it to a shop is going to be more than I can afford and put me in a bad financial situation but if I get desperate enough it'll happen.
Bit desperate here, first time posting.
This will be a bit of a long post just so I can get as much information out there to help diagnose the issue.
Car: HOLDEN COMMODORE VX (S2?) 2002 4 Door Sedan 3.8 litre, LN3 (L36) V6
So my issue is my voltage starts off at 13.5V (Dash Readout) and gradually drops to <11V over time.
There is no issue getting it started and it always starts with what I believe to be reasonable voltages.
First sign there is a problem is the Tacko comes and goes and then drops out all-together. Second the music system goes in and out, just the sound over the speakers at first and then the whole head unit starts turning on and off. The ABS light comes on next and headlights get dull. Push it any further and all the dash lights starts coming and going. Eventually the car stalls.
The Battery Light does not come on until all the light start playing up.
The voltage drops faster the faster I drive. So 10mins at 60km it's fine, I can get to the shops before I run into major issues. But if I try to drive 10mins at 80km plus it drops much faster.
What I have done so far.
1) I replaced the Alternator, this had no effect at all. (Advice from RACQ and Family)
2) I replaced the Battery. This gave me about 3 weeks with no problems. But they have now returned identical to before.
I checked with my own multimeter and also had RACQ check and the Alternator and Battery seem to be fine on start-up.
I have had family suggest the ECU as the next part to replace however reading other posts online, including this forum. It sounds like the issues are too far spread to be the ECU or at least JUST the ECU.
Any help or advice is much appreciated!
I'm a bit stressed out at this point.
I'm worried taking it to a shop is going to be more than I can afford and put me in a bad financial situation but if I get desperate enough it'll happen.