Intermittent starting fault in vz ls1

[misterS]

My vz calais 5.7 has developed an intermittent starting problem.
It occasionally progresses beyond cranking to firing, but the engine does not sustain firing - kinda tries to run, but fails to reach sustained idle.

Then, it has a completely dead response to the next turn of the key, then maybe another start-stall, then no problem. Happens about one in a dozen starts, with cold or hot

Does anyone have experience of the same issue, or ideas, before I throw myself on the mercy of an auto electrician?

[Smitty]

My vz calais 5.7 has developed an intermittent starting problem.
It occasionally progresses beyond cranking to firing, but the engine does not sustain firing - kinda tries to run, but fails to reach sustained idle.

Then, it has a completely dead response to the next turn of the key, then maybe another start-stall, then no problem. Happens about one in a dozen starts, with cold or hot

Does anyone have experience of the same issue, or ideas, before I throw myself on the mercy of an auto electrician?

first question... any fault codes or brilliant orange engine fault icons on the screen?

if not... dealer or sparkie

[jc_sv8]

Battery?…..

[FrangaFry]

Man, I hope you have better luck than me ...........

I had a heap of cranking/starting/stopping/stalling issues with my wags over the last 18 odd months that I have been chasing ......... she would sometimes fire right up, other times crank for 20 seconds before finally starting only to stall when I hit the brakes ........ random as fark until finally it was nearly a daily experience (would stall in traffic, stall when braking .....) ......... drove me frik'n mad!

I went to an auto elec, nup ........ couldn't fault it. Went back to tuner for 'trouble shooting' ....... couldn't fault or find anything (fuel pressure was was checked ...... multiple times), re tuned ....... replaced a shite load of bits and bobs, ECU (which I flashed the orginal tune onto), TPS, had injectors cleaned, plugs, leads (3 times), re tuned ..... finally replaced the Walbro in tank pump with a Walbro 650 ...... re tuned 'again' - was fine for a very short time, then car failed while I was in Bendigo looking after my dad who had a triple bypass (it thru all sorts of codes) .......... flat trayed back to Frankston (from Bendigo........ tell me about it). Tank out, wiring issue!!!! (total re wire - cost a frik'n motza) ....... tickle on the tune $$$ ... was 'sort of drivable' for a bit then failed 'again' ....... flat trayed back to Frankston ........ tank out (AGAIN) ........ wiring had come loose $$$ ........ sorted that and it failed again ............. went 'Fark it' replace the 'brand new' Walbro 650 with another Walbro 450 .. tickle to the tune $$$ and all good (farking finally!!!) - I rek'n (no shit) I spent upwards of 6 or 7k chasing this FARKING issue (actually too scared to check all the receipts)...... NOT A HAPPY CAMPER ...... wife almost divorced me and I almost parted the car out I was that 'over it' ...... I have never been so frustrated and angry .......... and just soooo pissed off that I saw so many 'experts' but nothing ever resolved the issue ......... so much $$$, so much stress and so many arguments with the bloody Minister ..... SIGH

Oh well live and learn ..............

So good luck mate - I seriously hope you get it sorted quickly and cheaply ............. sorry to be a debbie downer ....... but I haven't had a vent for a while ........... WINK

[Red CV8 R]

Ouch! Sorry to hear, FrangaFry. Understandable you wanting to vent after all that. Hopefully you have a good run now.

[misterS]

Fry from Franga - that is a hell of a lot of money and rooting around.

Mine is stock, has a new battery, starter-motor, alternator, fuel- filter, so not them (presumably).

No other performance issues.

Think I'll visit the sparkie

Cheers

[motomk]

I think visiting the sparkie is the way to go.

My old VT ground to a halt one day just as I left work, was trying to work out how to get to my other car at home, calling a cab etc, until the security guard asked if I was with the RACV. "Oh yes, I forgot, I am."
Called them out, they cleaned the battery terminals, said they needed replacing because the original holden battery connectors were falling to bits.
Went to the local parts place on the way home and bought some aftermarket connectors and all resolved. Only needed a socket set to change them over.

[duke5700]

Swap the start relay out, they do wear over time. Has been the undoing of many a people. Other than that I've seen fusible links be pains etc. You've covered the other major items.

Start_Circuit.jpg

[SASLS1]

I had a intermittent starting fault on my VZ L76 T56 for 6 months…

I finally cracked it, and got a wiring diagram and followed the power from the ignition switch to the starter.

The clutch pedal switch was faulty / worn out.

With the clutch pedal on the floor fully depressed… No Start.

Lift the clutch pedal 15mm from the floor the starter would fire.

New clutch pedal switch… Fixed…

Clutch pedal on floor, starter would fire as it should. 😁

I was so happy when I finally worked out the exact fault, a $23 switch…

[Smitty]

I had a intermittent starting fault on my VZ L76 T56 for 6 months…

I finally cracked it, and got a wiring diagram and followed the power from the ignition switch to the starter.

The clutch pedal switch was faulty / worn out.

With the clutch pedal on the floor fully depressed… No Start.

Lift the clutch pedal 15mm from the floor the starter would fire.

New clutch pedal switch… Fixed…

Clutch pedal on floor, starter would fire as it should. ��

I was so happy when I finally worked out the exact fault, a $23 switch…

noice! ... and a cheap fix too

[misterS]

To my surprise, a new key fixed the problem!

Apparently the original old key was worn and could no longer reliably transmit the required security info, so the engine would fire up for a second, then shut-down.

Apparently that little silver nub on the key transmits this info to the silver ring on the steering column and it can get worn down or deformed a bit over time.

Cheap solution to an irritating problem.

Cheers