Check engine light is on.

[msjwood]

Hi guys. I'll give you my story so far. Couple of months ago my "check engine" light on while I was driving home from work. My car is a 2007 VE SSV 6M ute. Had my local auto sparky check the DTC. P0420. He changed the front O2 sensor. Light came back. He changed rear O2 sensor. Light came back. Changed right side cat. Light came back. Then I contacted my local stealer and gave them the history. Bring it in they said. Called them at lunchtime and was told they can't fix it! It is a problem that Holden are aware of, and are waiting for a software fix. Apparently VZ 6 cyl cars had the issue also-some needed engine replacement! After being told that it is a problem that Holden are aware of, "that'll be $121 thanks". Was told to call back in a month to check on possible software upgrades To add to my chagrin, on the front door of the dealer is a sign that says "Visa & Mastercard welcome". Under this sign is a locally printed notice that says "Visa & Mastercard attract 1.25% surcharge". NOT HAPPY JAN! Is this payback for not getting the car serviced at the local dealer to maintain my extended warranty? Is there an embedded code in the software that is designed to force unsuspecting punters to take the car back to the dealer so they can charge the minimum diagnostic fee? Happened last year in April when my cruise control & traction control weren't working. It needed a "software upgrade", which didn't actually fix the problem anyway-at least not straight away. That's my rant over. Any hints out there?
Cheers, Mike

[mattnsw]

If your car is still completely stock then that sounds strange.

You have a 6 year old car (not forgetting to mention the earlier VZ model) that needs a software fix that isn’t available yet.

Where are all the complaints from other owners of early VE and VZ ’s who are also waiting for this problem that’s already known to Holden to be rectified?

If you were having trouble with the VF that would be understandable, it’s a new model. But a 6 year old car with a known software problem still unresolved sounds strange.

[Micks]

What the Dealer is really saying is "we don't know what's wrong with your Engine" But happy to ask for your coin!
It's absolute rubbish "waiting on a software fix"....
Do yourself a favor being from the Gong speak with Sonny from Autowerks. He can fix the unfixeable!

[Surfnturf]

How old is your battery ?? I had the same thing happen, installed a new heavy duty one and problem vanished

[msjwood]

How old is your battery ?? I had the same thing happen, installed a new heavy duty one and problem vanished

That's a thought. Still on original battery-5 1/2 years old. It's starting to sound a tad tired when starting. Maybe the computer doesn't like low batteries.
A new battery isn't dear-cheaper than the new cat I just put on!
Cheers, Mike

[Micks]

Yep just keep throwing money @ it! Or get it properly analyzed!!

[Red Beard]

Low Battery voltage caused the check engine light to come on a couple of times on my Cross 8, less than a month after I bought it in 2010. The dealer put a new heavy duty in under warranty. Problem gone.

[XUV]

What the Dealer is really saying is "we don't know what's wrong with your Engine" But happy to ask for your coin!
It's absolute rubbish "waiting on a software fix"....!


My mums VZ Belina v6 thru a check powertrain, the mechanic that they had been seeing said it's the auto trans.

I said bullshit, it'd be a sender or sensor , take it to holden ( we hadn't been going to holden as they were dicks, but the new owners are great now )

and yep, it was the oil sender.

[msjwood]

Hi all. Latest update. Finally got a new battery for the VE-I've been busy for the last few months preparing a car for the recent Camp Quality Escarpade event, and I just put up with the "check engine" light. New battery installed, and the light went out. The good news only lasted a week however, because the light came back on. I can get the light to come on at will, (or at least the "check engine" warning) simply by taking off from a standstill, and letting the engine revs fall below idle briefly as I let out the clutch-not my usual way of taking off, but it can happen. No updates from Wilson's Holden either. Any clues from any of you lateral thinkers out there?
Cheers, Mike

[LuisS]

DTC. P0420 - catalyst efficiency code>

Do you have a std exhaust and std air intake ?

[Surfnturf]

Leave your new battery disconnected for 20 min then see how it goes, ps wont cost anything to try.

[Woodchukka]

How many km's on the car?
What is the battery voltage at idle after starting the car?
If it is a bit low does it recover quickly (at idle)?
What is the charge voltage when it brings on the check engine warning?

[Hi Octane]

Cat might be stufffed, not flowing enough.

[vassis]

DTC. P0420 - catalyst efficiency code>

Do you have a std exhaust and std air intake ?

Yeah what he said on bank 1

Google that code as it sounds like a too good/bad flowing cat or the o2 behind it is reading a too big of difference to the one infront

Best to get a scan tool that shows all the o2 sensors mv's to see whats going on or turn the back o2s off by throwing a tune through it

[msjwood]

Hi all. I haven't ignored you all,(well, maybe I have), just been busy. Went to Melbourne for my son's wedding a couple of weeks ago-(he had to pick Sunday 16th March-F1 raceday & the start of the AFL season, with the reception at the southern end of Albert Park!). I left the battery disconnected from the VE for 5 days. Lo and behold, I can't get the check engine light to come back on, plus, the traction control button is operative again, and so is the cruise control. This is after replacing both O2 sensors in the right side and the cat, which is what fault code PO420 indicated, and a new battery. I'm happy if just leaving the battery disconnected fixes it, although it doesn't really explain the problem.
Cheers guys, thanks for your input & patience. Mike

[Smashfist]

Software update for P0420 is for VE2 V6's. Not applicable to your model. It's not technically a fix, but if it comes back just get it tuned. More power, better economy and a tuner will relax fault code settings for catalyst efficiency in the tune. Win/win :)

[msjwood]

Software update for P0420 is for VE2 V6's. Not applicable to your model. It's not technically a fix, but if it comes back just get it tuned. More power, better economy and a tuner will relax fault code settings for catalyst efficiency in the tune. Win/win :)

Cheers. I had heard about the similar issue with the V6. My local dealer's service dept told me last time I was there that Holden was aware of the PO420 issue, and to wait until they rang me to come back & fix it-problem is, they had confused my car with V6. Idiots.