VZ Ute Intermittent Start

[Greg 25]

Hi, hope someone can help as this is driving me insane.

My sons VZ manual ute has a intermittent start problem, it is not consistent and very random when it happens, on occasions (random) the key turns and nothing, wait 10-15 minutes of continual trying to start and it will suddenly start, car will run normally will start every next start until will randomly not start again and repeats.

It does record code on OBD P061 which is a internal memory fault for ECU I am thinking, and has a associated "Check Drivetrain" message on dash display, these can be reset by OBD reader until next random "no start" occurrence which records same, and can be reset again.

Have had battery, alternator and starter replaced with new OEM items.

This is very frustrating and annoying, and advice or help would be greatly appreciated. Repairers want car to fault find but fault is random and when it starts again will continue to start as normal until next random"no start".

Hope someone can help.

 

[Fu Manchu]

This will occur when a particular part of the ECU has a poor earth. If you ever saw inside one, you’d understand how that happens. There are very fine wires in there. Dry solders also.

There are ECU repairers who have a work around repair for about $300.

It is a fault that progressively gets worse.

There may well be other reasons too, but the ECU/ECM in VZ V6’s are crapola.

 

[Greg 25]

Thank you, recommend any ECU repairers in Brisbane?

 

[RossK]

My daughters VZ had a intermittant start issue, but with no codes or check drivetrain messages though. Just no cranking at all, just the solenoid click.
New Battery - not fixed
New Starter - not fixed.
When I replaced the starter, i noticed how close the leads come to the exhaust, so for curiosity I checked the voltage at the starter lead- 10V.
Gave the lead a shake and it fluctuated from 0-12.8V.
Checked connections at both ends and retested, same result.
So I removed the main lead and the solenoid lead from the car and checked their continuity. They were both bad, give them a wiggle and they would fluctuate.
So I replaced both and it's been fine for the last 3 months.
Not saying this is your problem, but a quick and easy test.