VE SS Still Not Fixed

[SS Enforcer]

I have been having an ongoing problem with my car , bloody check engine light coming on.
It's had new o2 sensor , new cat , wiring checked and a new computer installed all in last few weeks car has done 5000k, and still the check engine light comes on a few hrs after I leave dealer.

The dealer doesn't know whats wrong with it nor does Holden they keep running the diagnostics and still can't find the fault.
It took a couple of goes to get the Aircon fault fixed also had the fuel line recall done, it sounds like I have air leaking through the driver door but it may just be turbulence .... bloody noisy though , steering column clicks sometimes sounds like the clockspring is grabbing or yoke is catching somewhere and I also get weird shifts in the auto between 2nd and 3rd occaisonly I havn't mentioned last 2 things to dealer yet, getting a bit tired of it all actually.

I have spent days waiting in their yard for my car and am sick of it.
I am getting to know the staff by their first names and even have the service dept phone number commited to memory now. The dealer and staff have been really good about it and aren't happy either about the situation.
I told them Monday if they can't get it fixed I want a new car, so far all thats been said is that maybe they will need it for up to 3 weeks to fix the car to determine what the problem is and then fix it.

My problem is this I don't let my wife drive the car she has trashed a few sets of rims now on gutters .. but only on my cars never on hers.
I don't want the dealers having to log loads of k's on the car to fault find .. they want to swap parts then road tested .... EG problem takes a few hours to show up after code is cleared. I don't want it used as a test mule !!!

I feel like selling it now or back trading it on a VZ , as it will drive me crackers if i have to keep taking it in to get stuff fixed, I can put up with teething problems but when every day has a portion of it dedicated to my car problems either going to dealer or ringing them or waiting for call it wears me out.

The car drives beautifully cant fault that part of it, it's just the ongoing crap with the faults have really soured the whole thing for me.

Cheers

[AussieTone]

Mate I feel for you. Have you considered a letter to GMH HQ (get the person’s name you need to write to off your dealer)? Given this is the car Holden has based its future survival on I would have thought they would be very interested to here the type of things you have written here.

[swingtan]

Howdy,
Do you have any mods done to the car yet ? ( apart from your CAI )

Simon.

[EddieVE06]

I'd be sending a letter to Holden Head Office and list everything that is wrong with the car and tell them you want a new one otherwise your car will have some nice big signs on it saying its a lemon and you'll park it on the street close to where the dealer is so Holden can get some free advertising on Citrus fruits.

I hope you are getting a replacement car in the meantime.
Good Luck

[macca33]

Just one question....How is R & D the responsibility of you, the purchaser.

Start making some big noises, write letters to media outlets and GMH hierarchy.

You should be given a NEW car, this is disgraceful.

Good luck,

Macca

[Danv8]

Not good mate. :(

We really need to have lemon laws here.
I really hope everything gets sorted out for you soon and get that smile back on the dial again.

[BlueVZSS]

This is why we need lemon laws in Australia. In the US, if you return it to the dealer three times for the same fault and it isn't fixed, it is classified as a lemon and they must give you a new car.

[Aus8]

Gees mate! I feel sorry for you! Not what you want with a brand spankers. FYI my next door neighbours VE Calais L98 has had had the check engine light come on twice but it hasnt disabled the car yet he is going to mention it at the first service.

Aus8

[ADSXR8]

This is why we need lemon laws in Australia. In the US, if you return it to the dealer three times for the same fault and it isn't fixed, it is classified as a lemon and they must give you a new car.

I think this car is far from a lemon.

As I read it, your car still goes, and by the sounds of it, quite well. I dont know the history of this vehicle, but sounds like the dealer is being helpful, but instead of using the vehicle as part of R & D, they should just replace things. I cannot understand why they need to replicate the problem, particulary because when you arrive at the dealer, the fault light is on.

[Stevotski]

This is why we need lemon laws in Australia. In the US, if you return it to the dealer three times for the same fault and it isn't fixed, it is classified as a lemon and they must give you a new car.

This situation sucks and lemon laws would be a great idea - but we would all end up paying extra for our cars as the car companies would have to factor this risk into the purchase price, like they do with warranties.

[Vulture]

It really does sound as though they have had enough goes at trying to fix it. As for keeping the car for three weeks etc. F**K THAT! Politely tell them where to place said suggestion. Perhaps if they offered to loan you a VESS or VE V8 Calais for the period but then your car will just be sitting in the sun at the dealership, getting untold scratches on it here and there. Sounds like you have been patient and despite the dealer being good about it, they really need to get serious now. A brand new car shouldn't be in and out of the dealership that often. The time spent alone would be a killer to your work/business surely? What price on the inconvenience?

[Veeate]

This situation sucks and lemon laws would be a great idea - but we would all end up paying extra for our cars as the car companies would have to factor this risk into the purchase price, like they do with warranties.

Disagree. Forcing the car companies to adopt some form of lemon laws will force them to improve quality and their processes for dealing with warranty issues. It costs Holden money right here and now to fix the warranty problem(s) on this thread and many others that Holden and other car manufacturers have. If Holden was forced to have extra cost at risk (i.e car replacement) then i believe they would invest in better quality procedures. In a competive market like Aust it would be viewed dimly by the buying public if you put up the price of your car to cover your defects.

While people on here (very small sample number in the scheme of new cars sold) may be willing to accept faults with their beloved V8 Commodores most people would not. I can put up my hand and say that the VT and VX commdores/HSV's i have had have had so many issues it is not funny. And yet i bought a VZ ? Most other people would not accept it.

The car company that could offer a 'lemon law style' warranty and do it within current car prices would be a big winner i reckon. I know in the IT industy we measure 'cost per defect' , 'downtime per defect' etc. It is a known cost to the company these defects and we work on improving them. Saving defect costs means a cost saving for us and the customer.

[SS Enforcer]

Howdy,
Do you have any mods done to the car yet ? ( apart from your CAI )

Simon.

No Mods at all


I think this car is far from a lemon.

As I read it, your car still goes, and by the sounds of it, quite well. I dont know the history of this vehicle, but sounds like the dealer is being helpful, but instead of using the vehicle as part of R & D, they should just replace things. I cannot understand why they need to replicate the problem, particulary because when you arrive at the dealer, the fault light is on.

Yep it goes well but do I have to spend every day at a dealers ?
If I leave them the car for a few weeks then what every time they replace something on the car they will have to drive it for hours to see if it's fixed or not. Brother said that staff will use it to to go and from work. Thats what he used to do.

The problem is that they do NOT know what the problem is and have looked at it at least 6 times 7 I think.

I have no complaint at all with the dealer or their staff


Just one question....How is R & D the responsibility of you, the purchaser.

Start making some big noises, write letters to media outlets and GMH hierarchy.

You should be given a NEW car, this is disgraceful.

Good luck,

Macca

Exactly my feelings , it isn't my responsibility to do GMH's on road testing

Thanks for your replys guys will keep you posted on whats happening.

cheers

[jaykay]

Stick with it mate, I know it is a pain but make your feelings heard to the Dealer Principle and to Holden. They are a great car but have teething problems as we are finding out.

Good luck and we'll keep watching this thread....

JK

[brentonsav]

yeh stick with it. they willl sort it out only bcoz they cant afford to have bad press.

yours must have been a friday afternoon car.

the theory is get a wednesday build car, where the workers are at their peak. finished winding up and about to wind down for the w/e.

;)

[SS Enforcer]

Ok rang Holden customer assistence and lodged an official complaint.

the problem now has a case # and they will start to follow the problem up see if it gets fixed now.

cheers

[Speedy Gonzales]

Farken disgraceful aint it? All the factory equipment, staff and experience, and NO ONE can diagnose an EFI problem.

If you can get to someone who can plug into the PCM for a looksy and see whats happening, that would be much better then getting GMH since it costs them money allocating the resources.

Could even just be a bug in the software that needs to be ironed out on later models, new model owners = beta testers.

[Dacious]

It will turn out to be:

a crimped airhose
a connector which is either not crimped on one spade, or one of the clinches has pushed out the back
an unrelated and non-critical component like the level sensor in the overflow tank
an airseal somewhere is crushed or displaced

These are difficult to diagnose when they all turn on the same light. Sometimes it takes a while to find the issue. It might be a wire buried up under the dash, or the unit itself.

While it is frustrating, these are problems which can afflict an individual car of any make and manufacture. Our first TS Astra kept bringing on a cooling system light fault with the fluid still over minimum. Eventually it was traced to the level sensor in the overflow if the car was parked nose-first into the gutter. It was replaced with a slightly revised assembly- no harm done, just annoyance and a trip to the dealers to fix.

I think the dealer/Holden should be supplying you a loaner given the time.

The US Lemon laws would not apply in this case. The fine print is the vehicle must not be operable for a minimum period of days - 31 I think. Even then, there are let-outs if the dealer is making an attempt to fix. Not many cars end up being replaced.

This is a QC issue, not a 'R&D' issue. My car threw a code once starting up while running in - the diagnostics showed a lean condition on one bank - probably a drop of water passing through. Never came on again.

[davidred]

Try a different dealer? The one your using sounds like they are doing all they can - but tell another one your problems and they will probably fall over themselves trying to fix your problem, look like the heroes and then hopefully keep your servicing dollars..

[Marco]

I feel for you mate - I was really hoping that with the VE the usual 'first year' problems would have been a thing of the past.

Last Tuesday, on my second (and still unsuccessful) attempt to get a VE SS test drive, I told the salesman that I wouldn't buy that day or indeed any time before July 07 because of the first year issues, and he assured me that "you don't spend $1 billion on a new car to get first year issues". Sadly, it's starting to look as though you do. (Incidentally, that day's reason why I couldn't take a test drive was that the car had only just come off the car carrier and wasn't ready yet - despite having obviously been detailed and sitting square in the middle of the lot. The first time, there was something wrong with the VE SS they had and they'd call me back when it was fixed - I'm still waiting. Is anyone at Commonwealth Motors Tuggeranong interested in selling me a car sometime after next July who wouldn't mind me having a drive now?)

[BadMac]

Wouldn't the solution be for Holden to swap the car for a new one. Take yours and use it as a learning experience on VE 90 days on. ie tear it apart and see what has gone wrong, use the knowledge to improve further builds and issue notices to dealers for other with similar problems. They could then sell it second hand once fixed. There loss would be minimal and they would gain useful knowledge early in the VE life cycle. Also gain kudos for doing something proactive to improve their product and satisfy their customers.

My 0.02c

[TheAnxious]

These situations are certainly painfull.

I'm a technician installing and commissioning industrial equipment. No in house training on never seen before gear can ever teach you what's it's like to work and fault find on the real thing...and then when you finally do it can take quite some time to come up to speed with the equipment, especially if it's a whole new design, a totally new way of communicating between electronic modules. And then, if you're not working on the gear every working minute of the day...you can't expect a real hairy, never seen before fault to be fixed el pronto.

[emg]

Billion dollar baby.. so much hype about a new shape, gearbox, suspension etc.. they bugger up the simple production line installation stuff. :thump:

[mustanger]

I will definitely be asking for a loan car whilst your car is being looked at. You ,as a customer, are entitled to at least that.It is not your fault that they can`t fix the problem. When you purchased the car it had to be of merchantable quality and because it has a serious defect ,they are in breach of contract.They cannot say it is not serious because they do not know what the problem is. What would happen if the car stalled at a rail crossing and the check engine light came on. It would be no good to you. I would most definitely go straight to the dealer principal and voice your concern.:cussing:

[BLACK expreSS-V]

I would do five things immediately:

1. Hang in there - the VE is a bloody good car and this will turn out to be a very simple little problem.

2. Name the dealer publicly here now - so we can all put shit on them. Then print this out in a week and show them.

3. Go to a competitor dealer, tell them the problem, tell them how many times the dealer has stuffed with it and you want them to start replacing everything.

4. Show the new dealer the printout from this forum after we put shit on the old dealer - and tell him he has a week or his name goes on the site.

5. Report to Holden and send them a weekly printout of this thread as well.

John.

[clubbie]

While your at it send the dealer principal a bill for your time....usually gets a prompt response and a loan car at least until its resolved.

[Janus]

I agree with the comment made here about remaining calm and letting things run their course...in theory.

But I can tell you that if that was me I would be in there having a go at them and threatening to go public if they didn't do something pretty darn quick.

I too know how annoying it is to have a car in and out of the dealer every couple of days trying to find and fix the problem, and this was a car that cost a great deal more then a Holden. In fact I know people with top of the line Mercedes who have gone so far as to threatern legal action because their cars have had so many problems with various things. My friends S500 spend 3 weeks of the first month in the shop being repaired.

[AussieTone]

Ok rang Holden customer assistence and lodged an official complaint.

the problem now has a case # and they will start to follow the problem up see if it gets fixed now.

cheers

I believe you are on the right track here. Also maybe get the state rep involved. From your posts it sounds like you do not have specific problems with the dealer but the system in general whether it is a lack of technical training etc. You are also in a catch 22 as it sounds like you wish to retain a good rapport with your dealer at the same time getting your car fixed with the minimum amount of disruption to you.

Bit like having to judge how hard and how often you have to bang your fist on the counter with frustration. Good luck

[SS Enforcer]

These situations are certainly painfull.

I'm a technician installing and commissioning industrial equipment. No in house training on never seen before gear can ever teach you what's it's like to work and fault find on the real thing...and then when you finally do it can take quite some time to come up to speed with the equipment, especially if it's a whole new design, a totally new way of communicating between electronic modules. And then, if you're not working on the gear every working minute of the day...you can't expect a real hairy, never seen before fault to be fixed el pronto.

It's not el pronto I was after, the car has been left overnight with them 2 times now + 3 more days spent waiting whilst they worked on it.
It is a warrantable problem and neither the dealer or holden has come up with a plan to sort it out.


I believe you are on the right track here. Also maybe get the state rep involved. From your posts it sounds like you do not have specific problems with the dealer but the system in general whether it is a lack of technical training etc. You are also in a catch 22 as it sounds like you wish to retain a good rapport with your dealer at the same time getting your car fixed with the minimum amount of disruption to you.

Bit like having to judge how hard and how often you have to bang your fist on the counter with frustration. Good luck


Exactly Tony , I don't have a beef at all with the dealer as they are being guided by holden on this , have been since it first went in with problem.

I just want it fixed ... without me doing my lolly :yahoo:

It's after 02.30 how come you still awake ???


I would do five things immediately:

2. Name the dealer publicly here now - so we can all put shit on them. Then print this out in a week and show them.

5. Report to Holden and send them a weekly printout of this thread as well.

John.

I am not going to slag off the dealer I want them on my side and don't have a problem with them at all .

Point 5 .... Now I might just do that one , I will wait 1 more day , give them a chance to respond.

cheers


Wouldn't the solution be for Holden to swap the car for a new one. Take yours and use it as a learning experience on VE 90 days on. ie tear it apart and see what has gone wrong, use the knowledge to improve further builds and issue notices to dealers for other with similar problems. They could then sell it second hand once fixed. There loss would be minimal and they would gain useful knowledge early in the VE life cycle. Also gain kudos for doing something proactive to improve their product and satisfy their customers.

My 0.02c

It would be easy eh but it won't happen .

cheers


PS: Thanks for your support in this guys ....... cheers :thumbsup:

[Lucifer]

SS Enforcer,

If you REALLY want to get a positive outcome, you need to grow some balls. There is no point being pleasant about it with the dealer. The dealer that sold you the car has a lot of pull with Holden.

You need to sort 2 things out. 1. Take the situation away from the service department. The fact that it isn't fixed is not their fault. 2. Address the dealer principle directly. You need to state the facts very concisely and state your demands very clearly. eg If the car is not fixed by such and such a date then you will seek legal advise.

If that deadline passes and you haven't achieved your desired outcome, PM me and I will give you some legal options. What the general public is not aware of is that unless you initiate some legal action, no car manufacturer will replace your car. End of story.

[Vulture]

If you REALLY want to get a positive outcome, you need to grow some balls. There is no point being pleasant about it with the dealer. The dealer that sold you the car has a lot of pull with Holden.

Nicely written. Remember, they'll still sell you a car next time even if they don't like you...

[BLACK expreSS-V]

I usually find embarassement can actually work better than the threat of legal action. See my 5 point plan below...

I can guarantee that will get everyones attention very quickly.

[SS Enforcer]

Ok I got a response from the customer assistance dept they are bringing a tech up from Melbourne next week to ' fix ' the car and will give me a loaner at the same time.
According to the assistance guy they have some idea what the problem is and will be bringing some bits up for the job.
If he can fix it thats good for me , if not I will ramp up the pressure on them, but at this stage they are responding to my requests in a positive fashion.

My brother said they would send a guy up from Melb but I didn't believe him , he also said I have to give them a fair go at resolving the issue and I believe he is right .

cheers


SS Enforcer,

If you REALLY want to get a positive outcome, you need to grow some balls. There is no point being pleasant about it with the dealer. The dealer that sold you the car has a lot of pull with Holden.



I understand where you are coming from but I want the guys at the dealer onside as they will assist to get this sorted as well.

I am quite capable of turning it on ..... and getting my point across clearly and concisely when required .

I believe in letting people do their job especially in a challenging situation as most people rise to the occasion.

Now they have that opportunity .

cheers :driving:

[swingtan]

Sounds like some progress is being made, this is good news. You are doing the right thing though, giving then a chnace to fix what sounds like a very difficult issue. If you have ever worked on fixing things that are intermittent, then you know how frustrating it can be. It can take a very long time just to work out the exact condittions that cause a fault to occur. It's always better to keep the guys you deal with on side and not just use them as a punching bag because it's easy. If you treat them well, they will look after you down the line.

Simon.

[VXSS346]

Sounds like some progress is being made, this is good news. You are doing the right thing though, giving then a chnace to fix what sounds like a very difficult issue. If you have ever worked on fixing things that are intermittent, then you know how frustrating it can be. It can take a very long time just to work out the exact condittions that cause a fault to occur. It's always better to keep the guys you deal with on side and not just use them as a punching bag because it's easy. If you treat them well, they will look after you down the line.

Totally agree, from my experience too, that's what works best.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[SS Enforcer]

Totally agree, from my experience too, that's what works best.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Will do, it's booked in for next tuesday so fingers crossed .

cheers

[AussieTone]

My experience to date is that you frequently achieve more by being polite but firm rather than ranting and raving. Most service departments will go out of their way to help if you do and you end up with a good working relationship for the next time you need their help.

Quite often it is not their fault if they can’t locate or fix a problem especially on a new model car. They cop an enormous amount of flack from many customers (sometimes justified) but others clearly not.

Looks like you are making headway with this problem and hopefully it will soon be a thing of the past. Keep up the pressure and good luck mate

[CalaisRider]

Geese it doesn't sound too good for my doing a heap of mods to my new VE almost immediately. Can just see em blaming the mods on everything!!

Maybe I'll just sit with phase one of my project - Headers, catback, diff ratio and tune until I know if its a lemon or not.

Phase two is where it will really become an issue with cam, valve springs, small stallie, MAFless etc,etc but I was going to do that within the next two months. Should never assume anything I suppose. My cars to date have "all" been almost totally problem free - sounds like the VE is a different kettle.

Should have known, I was initially tossing up between Calais V and HSV GTS - took the GTS for a quick blast at one point and the engine warning came on and we puttered back to the yard. I gave the Calais even more stick and had no probs but I didn't click to the possible "ongoing" problem with both cars.

I hope not, but maybe my son was right and should have bought a German Marque rather than support Australian industry by my buying the Calais V.

Considering we all love our Holdens on this forum, this entire thread is the "Shame File" from hell from a Holden manufacturer and dealership perspective. They need the feedback and do something about it "now" if they want to save face and lead into the future!!

[VooDoo]

Pete, dont forget this is ONE car not all cars. Ive seen plenty of VE's around that dont have any issues at all. Holden DO read this forum so the comments made have to make some sort of impact with them.

[Bravotwozero]

Considering we all love our Holdens on this forum, this entire thread is the "Shame File" from hell from a Holden manufacturer and dealership perspective. They need the feedback and do something about it "now" if they want to save face and lead into the future!!

It is a bloody engine warning light that comes on. It isn't like the doors are falling off! ;) Damn annoying no doubt, but if that is the worst problem anyone gets from a brand new car, then I think you're doing well.

And if you think the Germans are any better......


Problem: Front strut spring support plate failure
Make: BMW
Model:
5 Series
Variant:
Date Range: March 1996 - January 1997
VIN Ranges:
Status:
Active

Defect: The spring support plate on the front suspension strut may fail due to corrosion and fatigue.
Consequences: The spring and plate may be forced down against the tyre suddenly causing a lose of vehicle control.
Corrective action: BMW dealers will bolt an additional support to the strut on potentially affected vehicles.
Notif. Date: 29/07/2005
DOTARS No.:
R05/097
Supplier Name: BMW
Campaign No.: 00 31 33 01 00

Problem: A suspension control hose may leak near the engine
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model:
CL600/S600L
Variant:
V12 engine
Date Range:
VIN Ranges:
Status:
Active

Defect: An out of specification Active Body Control hose (ABC) near the engine may leak . A low fluid level warning will be displayed to the driver if this occurs.
Consequences: If the fluid contacts hot engine components smoke will be produced and there is a slight possibility of a fire
Corrective action: Mercedes Benz dealers will replace the affected hose
Notif. Date: 16/09/2004
DOTARS No.:
R04/118
Supplier Name: DaimlerChrysler
Campaign No.: 368/99/a

[Chappy]

I'd be sending a letter to Holden Head Office and list everything that is wrong with the car and tell them you want a new one otherwise your car will have some nice big signs on it saying its a lemon and you'll park it on the street close to where the dealer is so Holden can get some free advertising on Citrus fruits.

I hope you are getting a replacement car in the meantime.
Good Luck

FARK! sending a letter to head office, drive to head office demarnd to see the servuce manager.

Before you walk in to a few things.
1. Cut a few snagars.
2. Make a flask of coffee.
3. Make sure your mobile phone if fully charged.
4. get the numbers of the papers, TV station.
5. Contact them and tell them what you intend on doing and if they want a good story roll up at a set time.
6.When head office tried to stall yout make it clear that you will not be leaving no matter what the time is, even if you have to sleep there. Till you see the service manager.
7. Don't let them bluff you, if the say the will call the police offer them your mobile. And make sure they know that you will have your mate video them doing this, as it will make great news about the new GM billion dollar baby.

Don't worry they will think twice before they make any silly moves to expell you from the building.

Cheer and good luck stick it to the bastards.

[CalaisRider]

Pete, dont forget this is ONE car not all cars. Ive seen plenty of VE's around that dont have any issues at all. Holden DO read this forum so the comments made have to make some sort of impact with them.

Thanks for the reassurance Voodoo. Your the goods as always!!:wave:

I suppose I'm itchy as we were supposed to pick the newby up Friday and had a ding dong with the dealership lasting 1.5hrs and even had a new contract drawn up (great start). It was way after 5pm when it was all over and couldn't do a direct debit - hence no drive for the weekend as planned but I pick it up tomorrow morning.

[SS Enforcer]

Hey no point in getting all wound up about it atm it's a difficult problem for them to fix hopefully this time the fix will be permanant.

But while they are at it they can fix the aircon as its shutting off again, it's had a new control unit then had to go back for a software reflash as it still wasn't fixed now looks like new control unit is stuffed as well.

Wife isn't real impressed with Holdens new Billion Dollar Baby if it doesn't get all the bugs out of it soon I will let her loose on them, they will really have a problem then . :idea:

cheers

[CalaisRider]

It is a bloody engine warning light that comes on. It isn't like the doors are falling off! ;) Damn annoying no doubt, but if that is the worst problem anyone gets from a brand new car, then I think you're doing well.

And if you think the Germans are any better......


Problem: Front strut spring support plate failure
Make: BMW
Model:
5 Series
Variant:
Date Range: March 1996 - January 1997
VIN Ranges:
Status:
Active

Defect: The spring support plate on the front suspension strut may fail due to corrosion and fatigue.
Consequences: The spring and plate may be forced down against the tyre suddenly causing a lose of vehicle control.
Corrective action: BMW dealers will bolt an additional support to the strut on potentially affected vehicles.
Notif. Date: 29/07/2005
DOTARS No.:
R05/097
Supplier Name: BMW
Campaign No.: 00 31 33 01 00

Problem: A suspension control hose may leak near the engine
Make: Mercedes-Benz
Model:
CL600/S600L
Variant:
V12 engine
Date Range:
VIN Ranges:
Status:
Active

Defect: An out of specification Active Body Control hose (ABC) near the engine may leak . A low fluid level warning will be displayed to the driver if this occurs.
Consequences: If the fluid contacts hot engine components smoke will be produced and there is a slight possibility of a fire
Corrective action: Mercedes Benz dealers will replace the affected hose
Notif. Date: 16/09/2004
DOTARS No.:
R04/118
Supplier Name: DaimlerChrysler
Campaign No.: 368/99/a

Good to see you can go back so many years back in the archives to find one of two problems across two separate marques.

Supposedly simple engine warnings relating to 02 sensors on Holden should be fixed way before now. How do you tell if its a real problem and going to be a big bang!!! or simple sensor error???????

[SS Enforcer]

All fixed :bravo: :bravo:

Ok holden had the car for a week and gave me a rental for the period.

They replaced the wiring loom and it was still throwing codes so that had em stuffed. They had a tech up from Melb to oversee it as they havn't had one cause this much trouble before.

The cause ......... o2 sensor :confused: . When I first went in with the check engine light they replaced a faulty o2 sensor but as it turned out the replacement sensor was faulty as well. They assumed it was ok when they fitted it so thats why it really stumped them trying to find a different cause for the error. They put the sensors from my car into another car and sure enough it did same thing, how unlucky to get a 2nd dud sensor.

I hope thats the end of the dramas :)

cheers

[swingtan]

Yay !!!! Glad to here you got it fixed. Great it was only the O2 sensor but they really should have picked the second one being faulty. Always pick the simplest fix first, second and third...... yes it's easy in hind sight, but how simple would it have been to test the original O2 sensor to prove it was faulty? Then when the second one threw the same error, you have a much better chance of finding the fault.

But let's not get away from the most important fact.... It's fixed ! :bravo: :bravo:

[jaykay]

Congrats on the fix....

Now - DRIVE ON...... :burnout:

[Brockfan05]

Seems to be the simplest of things that are sometimes the hardest to find. Glad they got it sorted for you finally mate :cheers:

[Tez82]

LOL shouldn't Holden have been able to tell if its a O2 sensor though, ie hooking it up to something like HP tuners software you can read ur O2's etc and yeah.. Would have saved them thousands at the end :p hehe

Good to hear that its all fixed mate :D hopefully smooth driving from now on end...

Tez

[SS Enforcer]

LOL shouldn't Holden have been able to tell if its a O2 sensor though, ie hooking it up to something like HP tuners software you can read ur O2's etc and yeah.. Would have saved them thousands at the end :p hehe

Good to hear that its all fixed mate :D hopefully smooth driving from now on end...

Tez

Their problem I guess is that they replaced the o2 sensor and it was throwing the same code at them they didn't think it was possible to have the brand new sensor faulty as well. They believed that the initial readings they got on the o2 sensor must have been caused by something else instead which is why they replaced the computer and wiring harness. By rights a 2nd faulty sensor should have been a long shot.

Anyway I got the car back aircon has been fixed properly this time the Holden dealers have all been sent a load of parts to repair the HVAC system.

Thanks for all the support on this matter fellas.

cheers

[Quark]

Anyway I got the car back aircon has been fixed properly this time the Holden dealers have all been sent a load of parts to repair the HVAC system.

cheers

Hi SS Enforcer, do you have any more detail on the aircon issue? I picked up my Calais V on Wednesday - this morning no aircon until I restarted. :(

[SS Enforcer]

Hi SS Enforcer, do you have any more detail on the aircon issue? I picked up my Calais V on Wednesday - this morning no aircon until I restarted. :(

Yep ..... take it back to them, Holden have a fix for the aircon they have to replace a part in the HVAC system. The dealer service dept will know all about it. Doesn't take long at all to do , less than an hour .
Good luck with it.

Cheers

[Quark]

Yep ..... take it back to them, Holden have a fix for the aircon they have to replace a part in the HVAC system. The dealer service dept will know all about it. Doesn't take long at all to do , less than an hour .
Good luck with it.

Cheers

Thanks for that :)

[Crusty]

Did you get your other issues sorted out SSEnforcer? You were saying you had air rushing in the door and weird 2nd to 3rd shifts.

[SS Enforcer]

Did you get your other issues sorted out SSEnforcer? You were saying you had air rushing in the door and weird 2nd to 3rd shifts.

The air turbulence noise has been fixed mostly the door is aligned properly they had to give it a bit of a bend to make it seal. I thought it was a dodgy way to do it but I showed it to my brother who said it ws all on properly.

The 2nd - 3rd shift has settled down the tech said with new o2 sensor it may sort that as they ran diagnostics on the box and couldn't fault it.

cheers

[Aus8]

Neighbour is also having this aircon issue in his Calais V. I will tell him there is a easy fix for it at Holden.

[Crusty]

The air turbulence noise has been fixed mostly the door is aligned properly they had to give it a bit of a bend to make it seal. I thought it was a dodgy way to do it but I showed it to my brother who said it ws all on properly.

The 2nd - 3rd shift has settled down the tech said with new o2 sensor it may sort that as they ran diagnostics on the box and couldn't fault it.

cheers

Hopefully you can sit back and enjoy the car now rather than worrying about the problems, I reckon it'd take me 6 months to stop freaking whenever I heard a strange noise though.

[SS Enforcer]

Hopefully you can sit back and enjoy the car now rather than worrying about the problems, I reckon it'd take me 6 months to stop freaking whenever I heard a strange noise though.


It's just a car mate, at the end of the day wife will no doubt put a scrape on the wheels or on the doors at the shops or whatever. If it breaks mechanically it can be fixed as well.


cheers

[Crusty]

It's just a car mate, at the end of the day wife will no doubt put a scrape on the wheels or on the doors at the shops or whatever. If it breaks mechanically it can be fixed as well.


cheers

Good way of looking at it :)

[stevierose]

Hi I posted before but my post got lost
Anyway I am having the exact same problems, Ive owned my new SV6 VE for one month and it has been in for servicing every week to try and fix the check engine light problem. Ive had 3 road asssitance call outs, one for a dead battery, and this monday it is going back as the safety mode, decrease power, friggin check engine light drama has started again. No matter what speed or what the road conditions are it seems to kick into this stupid mode.

I have two other friends who are having similar problems with their SS and Statesman.

Congratulations Holden, youve lost my vote of confidence


It's just a car mate, at the end of the day wife will no doubt put a scrape on the wheels or on the doors at the shops or whatever. If it breaks mechanically it can be fixed as well.


cheers

It is just a car, a very expensive new car, that I have to pay a lot of money for each month. The inconvenience it has caused apart from days off work, out of pocket expenses for getting the car there and replacing fuel for a loan car, has all added up. Not to mention the safety risk, being a mum, driving a brand new car with a 4 year old in the back on a busy freeway with no emergency lanes,then suddenly having your new car decrease its speed from 105kph to 80kph for no reason at all, it is not a nice expereience, this near accident was caused by this exact fault, safety mode kicked in> decreased power mode> then the check engine light, try having to push your pedal down to get your speed back up to traffic speed, without having the backside of your car smashed into, with a child in the back seat.

Not to mention returning to your car after 12 hours working late at night to find your new car in the parked in to dark, only to find the battery is dead, then waiting 1 hour for road assistance to turn up.

Cars can be fixed but at what expense to the owner who expects to be safe and secure in their new car that they work hard for.

By the way my 02 sensor was replaced but yesterday the check engine light came back on, maybe they have a bad batch of sensors.

Also it is not just a check engine light problem, it actually sets off a chain of problems, particularly the decreased power mode, and also the amount of fuel the car burns whilst in this mode is tremendous!

[The_Senator]

..steering column clicks sometimes sounds like the clockspring is grabbing or yoke is catching somewhere
Cheers

Hi... My SSV has exactly the same thing - it feels like the leather is "slipping" on the steering wheel itself - but i have also found that i can 'replicate' the problem when the car is off and turning the steering wheel a little left to right - though the click is louder then. To be quite honest it is driving me mad..

Have you had any 'closure' on this problem, becuase my dealer tells me that it was 'just a little nut that needed tightening' - and well obviously it was not as it is still there.. This same 'nut', i was told, was all the fault in a suspension clunk I had.. Magic nut!

Cheers,
Paul.

[MclarenF1]

Enforcer, you said the aircon needed attention what was wrong with the it?:)

[VESSWA]

Hi... My SSV has exactly the same thing - it feels like the leather is "slipping" on the steering wheel itself - but i have also found that i can 'replicate' the problem when the car is off and turning the steering wheel a little left to right - though the click is louder then. To be quite honest it is driving me mad..

Have you had any 'closure' on this problem, becuase my dealer tells me that it was 'just a little nut that needed tightening' - and well obviously it was not as it is still there.. This same 'nut', i was told, was all the fault in a suspension clunk I had.. Magic nut!

Cheers,
Paul.

I had this same issue a long way back. The dealer had never seen the problem before so their fix was to replace some/most of the steering column assembly. I think the idea was to get me going again while they pulled it apart and came up with the right "fix" the next time someone came in?

[cholo]

Hi I posted before but my post got lost
Anyway I am having the exact same problems, Ive owned my new SV6 VE for one month and it has been in for servicing every week to try and fix the check engine light problem. Ive had 3 road asssitance call outs, one for a dead battery, and this monday it is going back as the safety mode, decrease power, friggin check engine light drama has started again. No matter what speed or what the road conditions are it seems to kick into this stupid mode.

I have two other friends who are having similar problems with their SS and Statesman.

Congratulations Holden, youve lost my vote of confidence



It is just a car, a very expensive new car, that I have to pay a lot of money for each month. The inconvenience it has caused apart from days off work, out of pocket expenses for getting the car there and replacing fuel for a loan car, has all added up. Not to mention the safety risk, being a mum, driving a brand new car with a 4 year old in the back on a busy freeway with no emergency lanes,then suddenly having your new car decrease its speed from 105kph to 80kph for no reason at all, it is not a nice expereience, this near accident was caused by this exact fault, safety mode kicked in> decreased power mode> then the check engine light, try having to push your pedal down to get your speed back up to traffic speed, without having the backside of your car smashed into, with a child in the back seat.

Not to mention returning to your car after 12 hours working late at night to find your new car in the parked in to dark, only to find the battery is dead, then waiting 1 hour for road assistance to turn up.

Cars can be fixed but at what expense to the owner who expects to be safe and secure in their new car that they work hard for.

By the way my 02 sensor was replaced but yesterday the check engine light came back on, maybe they have a bad batch of sensors.

Also it is not just a check engine light problem, it actually sets off a chain of problems, particularly the decreased power mode, and also the amount of fuel the car burns whilst in this mode is tremendous!


GET HOLDEN TO CHECK YOUR THROTTLE BODY ACTUATOR. Thats what happened to mine exactly the same description as yours. Mine shook like crazy thought it was bad fuel and then safety mode etc like yours.

cheers

cholo