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VL losing all power when changing up a gear (overdrive light won't work either) Help

Discussion in 'VL Holden Commodore (1986 - 1988)' started by alfie, Apr 8, 2010.

  1. Apr 8, 2010 #1
    alfie

    alfie New Member

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    Hi,

    wondering if anyone can help me with a problem I have on my VL at the moment?
    its pretty tired but generally very reliable. The other day the power light (overdrive light for the orange button on the Auto gear shift lever) stopped working. since then while accelerating even slightly as the trans goes to change up a gear, I lose all power. When I say that, the engine doesn't cut out, it just stops accelerating completely for about two seconds. the only way I can get it to change up a gear is to accelerate very very slowly and it kind of limps it's way up to speed. it is very dangerous driving it this way as you can not accelerate when you need to.

    the problem is happening consistently, and after about 20 mins of driving sometimes it comes good...

    Have already tried replacement computer, crank angle sensor, air flow box etc same problem still happens. I think it must be a trans problem...?

    If anyone has encountered this problem before could you possibly offer any advice?

    Thanks
     
    alfie, Apr 8, 2010
    #1
  2. Apr 8, 2010 #2
    harry3

    harry3 New Member

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    did you check the trans fluid level, not too low or high
     
    harry3, Apr 8, 2010
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  3. Apr 8, 2010 #3
    detox_nath83

    detox_nath83 Another VL Driver

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    sounds more like the Air Flow Meter (AFM) is starting to fail as the engine is stuttering... sure it was a good one u tried in it???
    light not coming on could be the something simple like the globe in the cluster.
    check the trans ECU plugs under the dash are tight and as mentioned above check fluid
     
    detox_nath83, Apr 8, 2010
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  4. Apr 9, 2010 #4
    alfie

    alfie New Member

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    harry and detox, thanks for your comments... The reason I think it is a trans/overdrive light problem is that like I said the problem is intermittant. when the problem is not there, the overdrive light starts working again. whenever it occurs, the overdrive light wont come on. Does anyone know a way to override the button/computer and possible bridge out some pins in a connector to lock overdrive on? Although it's a slightly dodgy fix, I'm confident it would rectify the problem....
     
    alfie, Apr 9, 2010
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  5. Apr 10, 2010 #5
    nasty1

    nasty1 New Member

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    you can drive around with it on or off it wont make a difrence
     
    nasty1, Apr 10, 2010
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  6. Apr 10, 2010 #6
    jatsvl

    jatsvl NEEDS MORE POWER!

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    mate a little explaination of the button and light.
    light (pwr) on = no 4th or overdrive, when you push the button (pwr light comes on dash) it cancels 4th and overdrive and you only have a 3 spd auto which is generally used for hill climbs and towing.
    light off = and you have 4th and overdrive.
    the only thing I am aware that you can do safely is dissconnect the overdrive solenoid on the side of the trans and have no overdrive just 4 gears.
    I'd be happy to send you a copy of the trans description so you would have a better understanding of how the jatco trans works.:beer chug:
     
    jatsvl, Apr 10, 2010
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  7. Feb 22, 2011 #7
    danielyellowvl

    danielyellowvl New Member

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    I had this happen to me but I was lucky enough to have been given a spare trans computer with the car when I got it.

    It takes about 5 minutes to swap trans computers and it will solve this problem, but I don't know how hard they are to find these days.
     
    danielyellowvl, Feb 22, 2011
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  8. Feb 22, 2011 #8
    detox_nath83

    detox_nath83 Another VL Driver

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    this thread is 10 months old bud. think he got it working.

    Welcome to JC as well
     
    detox_nath83, Feb 22, 2011
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  9. May 12, 2011 #9
    nifticus

    nifticus New Member

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    I have this exact problem. Alfie did you manage to locate the fault? Anyone know where I can get a trans computer?
     
    nifticus, May 12, 2011
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  10. May 12, 2011 #10
    jatsvl

    jatsvl NEEDS MORE POWER!

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    thread dig!!
    you should start your own,
    BTW welcome to JC's forum.
    any way, you should be able to pick up a trans computer at a wreckers, ebay or request one in your thread or the wanted parts section of this forum.
     
    jatsvl, May 12, 2011
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  11. May 12, 2011 #11
    detox_nath83

    detox_nath83 Another VL Driver

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    Left that one for u Justo.. :p
     
    detox_nath83, May 12, 2011
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