Serious Electrical Problem

[symean]

So my VE II SV6 started on Sunday, ran for maybe 5 seconds then cut out. Would not start after that, got just a clicking sound when I turned the key.

NRMA tested the battery and tried to boost it, then got it to manually crank by doing something in the fuse box but it still wouldn't start. Scanned the car and it wouldn't communicate with any modules, he reset all codes anyway but no luck.

I called Bridgestone Select near me who have been good with my car over the years and they said they should be able to fix it, but more bad news today after NRMA towed it there. They tried a new battery and 'hooked it up to their computer' and said they are getting can-bus errors, and it's most likely beyond their ability to fix. They said they would give it 24 hours to research a bit more, but said I'll likely have to get it towed again to an auto electrician. In his words, taking it to any regular dealer will likely cost even more.

I was expecting maybe to have to pay to have the ECM replaced, but now I'm lost. I'm on the northern beaches of Sydney, can anyone recommend an auto electrician who could deal with this?

Cheers

 

[krusing]

ECU Fault ! hmm, Ye, Right, ok,

Thats an easy out to extract $'s from your wallet when they don't have a clue !.
Get ready to load the parts cannon, Prime it, and away she goes.

Only a Real Tech will be able to diagnose the fault.

 

[symean]

ECU Fault ! hmm, Ye, Right, ok,

Thats an easy out to extract $'s from your wallet when they don't have a clue !.
Get ready to load the parts cannon, Prime it, and away she goes.

Only a Real Tech will be able to diagnose the fault.

…and by ‘real tech’ who or what do you mean? I agree with you, I want someone who can nail down the problem not just throw expensive module after expensive module in until it starts. Cheers

 

[pnlimo]

Brad, from A&B Auto Electrical in Brookvale (0299394626), is very good with these issues.

 

[symean]

Brad, from A&B Auto Electrical in Brookvale (0299394626), is very good with these issues.

Thanks I'll give him a call

 

[ephect]

If I remember correctly, it could be the abs unit causing the issue.

There was an abs unit fault that would cause this exact symptom. Can't recall if it effects a VE

 

[Fu Manchu]

I would be emailing TAT. They specialise in proper evidence based diagnostics. No guess work is done.

They have members all over the country. Ask them if they can bump you onto a shop near you where one of their members are.
https://www.tat.net.au/contact-us.html

They won’t need to know the details of the fault. Just tell them you’re looking for a member near your area and can they direct you to one or two.

A quick example of evidence based diagnostics.

 

[symean]

I went with A&B Auto Electrical. Brad got me in same day, where the three other places I tried (auto electricians and Col Crawford) were quoting about 1.5-2 weeks before they could book me in. Already had a long phone call where he went through all the steps he tried to root out the cause of the problem. He identified a fuse which was blowing, and further testing of what that fuse covers (one bank of ignition coils and the ECU) points to the ECU. Coils alone don’t cause it, and a faulty ECU he had for testing (which has another issue) didn’t blow it either. I’m not a car expert but I troubleshoot IT issues all the time, his methodology convinces me he isn’t just throwing an expensive part at the problem. He explained all the options for new unit, used unit and repair; including timing and pricing. Going with a new one for peace of mind and quick turnaround.

 

[symean]

Car is back and running. Brad at A&B Auto Electrical was great, accepted the car same day (Thursday) and it was ready to pick up this morning (Tuesday). He might not be the cheapest auto electrician in town, but I definitely get the feeling I paid only a little more for his experience and a quick turnaround, especially when two other AE's and Col Crawford were all quoting me 1.5-2 weeks before they could start the diagnosis.

This guy roots out the cause, he doesn't just throw parts at the problem. He explains the issues in a way you can understand, and gives you all possible options before proceeding without pressure (new parts, used parts, repair, etc).

Thanks to @pnlimo for the recommendation, can happily second that.

 

[Lex]

Car is back and running. Brad at A&B Auto Electrical was great, accepted the car same day (Thursday) and it was ready to pick up this morning (Tuesday). He might not be the cheapest auto electrician in town, but I definitely get the feeling I paid only a little more for his experience and a quick turnaround, especially when two other AE's and Col Crawford were all quoting me 1.5-2 weeks before they could start the diagnosis.

This guy roots out the cause, he doesn't just throw parts at the problem. He explains the issues in a way you can understand, and gives you all possible options before proceeding without pressure (new parts, used parts, repair, etc).

Thanks to @pnlimo for the recommendation, can happily second that.

What was the problem?