Help VT V6 Engine dead

[VT Calais]

I was driving today and the car just died. No power - nothing. I pulled over to the side of the road (not easy when you have little to no steering or brakes) and turned off the car.
After a little bit I tried to start it again, it turned over a little bit (2 or 3 groans) but stopped again. I left the acc on to see if the stereo worked. The lights were on but no display. The stacker started counting the disks - like it does when it has been disconnectedfrom power - but it didn't stop, it just kept on checking the disks over and over.
I flicked the key over to ING and on the dash the battery light and ABS light was on but nothing else. The climate control display had a little 'X' showing instead of the temp etc. After about 5 mins of think WTF it could be. I tried to start it again and it worked! No warning lights or anything.
Does anyone know what could have caused this? I'd rather it not happen again, especially when driving to work surrounded by other cars.

[de_rift]

sound like your ECU is sick. I'd just take it to a holden dealership.

[EvilChief]

check ur battery terminals that the are not loose and have clean connection ...

[EvilChief]

BTW ... its a holden

[VLCalais]

I would say it is the thing that goes around the ignition key hole, a steel ring sort of thing.
Your key has a little metal "nipple" on it that makes contact with this ring, and if it doesn't than you have no go sort of a anti theft device. Try bending the steel ring out a bit more so it make better contact with the key nipple that should help.
It happened to my VT aswell.

[Chris Rogers]

alternator.

gm has a nasty habit of doing that. I have had 2 cars die with out warning ( 91 oldsmobile cutlass 93 buick Skylark- both cars have the same engine as yours) they would turn on spin twice and tehn nothing both had about 70k on them when it happened.

[VT Calais]

After pulling out the battery I found the battery tray had a shitload of corrosion on it. The terminals are fine. When I was lifting it out of the car I noticed the bubbling air escaped out of the caps that cover the holes where you fill up the battery with water. I think I will buy a new battery (maintenance free) and try that first.

[Gregaust]

I would check the alternator as Chris suggested above..If it was faulty + overcharging ,that would account for the bubbling out the top and the excess corrosion under the battery..Perhaps the alternator has ruined the battery...

[VT Calais]

How would you check the alternator?

[Chris Rogers]

try this. get a fresh battery ( which you seem to be doing) start the car. if you have a multimeter check the voltage WITH THE CAR RUNNING. it should read 13.5->14.6 . anything out side of this replace the alternator. as a quick step give the accelerator a prod and see if the voltage moves up. (it should.)

[Shifty]

My old man's VT Calais (S/C, but V6 nonetheless.. I would assume the alternator is the same part) went through two alternators replaced by Holden before he had one rebuilt by an auto electrician.

[VT Calais]

Chris: I havn't been using a fresh battery. It seems to start (10.46v when cranking) and work fine. With the same battery and the car running, it measures 14.41v. BUT last night, after leaving it a while (turned off) I tried to unlock the car with the remote but it couldn't. It sounded as if it was trying but not enuff power. It also made a funny noise after I pressed the unlock button. Kinda like a ticking noise - only 5 or 6 ticks. It seemed to come from the middle of the firewall. I have never noticed this noise before. Now it make the same noise every time I turn off the engine (if it starts in the first place)

[VN_BeRLiNa]

If you can buy a VT you can most likely see an auto electrician :P The problem does seem like it could be many different problems...ECU,alternator,key hole etc. Your best bet would be to let a pro look at it for best results to fix this

[LJ38L]

do a diagnostic test on it

[Chris Rogers]

replace the battery. alternator is ok. how old is the batter btw - original item?

[VT Calais]

not original battery. It was in the car before I bought it a year ago. I'm going to buy a batt today - any suggestions.
BTW It's got a large stereo in it (almost) Not wired up tho, so it wouldn't have caused this prob.

[Chris Rogers]

if it was wired I would say yes. buy the biggest capcity one that will fit in the original slot.

[SLE355]

VT V6's had a problem with the wiring at the alternator burning out. Check that the nut is tight on the positive terminal and check the the nut or wiring is not burnt. If it is you will need a new wiring loom and have the alternator repaired.

[gmh265]

Originally posted by LJ38L
do a diagnostic test on it

diag test will tell you nothing about a charging/starting yadda yadda problem.

only good for sensor and engine loom checks

[VT Calais]

SLE355: My first VT had that prob and was fixed by holden (recall) This car has already had that fix done.

[VT Calais]

If anyone cares, I bought a new non-maintenace battery (575 CCA) and there have no probs.......yet.

[Chris Rogers]

good to hear.

[VT Calais]

thanks for all yer help guys, much appreciated

[VT Calais]

Well boys and girls, It did it again today. Although this time the Engine light came on and when I eventually got it started, I could only travel around 5km/hr. The engine would rev ok, but not go any faster until I heard a "clunk" from the rear or the car and the engine light went off and the car sped up to normal speed. this happened over a distance of around 500m.
It's WAY TOO far over my head and I've decided to put it in for repair at Ford. Yea, I know the irony of taking a Holden into Ford to get fixed. The Extended Warranty is with them.

[Sleaze]

One word - "Holden".

[Tracka]

if it has warranty its their problem

[Chris Rogers]

let us know what killed it.

[VT Calais]

Originally posted by Sleaze
One word - "Holden".

Screw you hippy!!

[VT Calais]

OK peoples, it seems I have a faulty ECM Relay. I guess we'll see soon if they are right.

[BAS]

what series vt is it.