Commodore VE 2006 warning lights

**allover** · 28-02-17, 04:59 PM

Son has purchased a Commodore VE from a little old lady up the street, (neighbour) which has done only about 140k. She has been driving it quite merrily with all lights flashing etc as her mechanic has says there is nothing wrong with it
He wants to drive from Melb to Adelaide return for work but has no confidence in it due to failing late at nite when working at Geelong
Dead centre of the instrument cluster is a warning light which seems to come on at various times
It says
Stability control off
Check engine (engine warning light comes on)
Power save mode
Wont start properly
When does, revs to about 2000rpm and conks out
If he does get it going it has no power, assume it is in power mode

I've done things like check the petrol cap for air leaks
Replaced the radiator cap which has stopped the level from falling
Checked for air leaks, but since i am partially industrially deaf don't help

I have removed the positive terminal a few times from the batt, which cancels all warning lights, seems to go alright for a week and a half, then recurs, usually after he has arrived at his destination and the car has sat for a while.
One time after removing terminal the mechanic checked for readings but there were non

As an interim thing am thinking of getting a battery switch for $10 and connecting it to the negative, will this do the same as removing the positive?
Last question, what do you call the attachments you put into your android mobile to read the warnings? THANKS

**carjackma** · 28-02-17, 05:26 PM

Get some one to put a scanner on it it will have pending codes.
My money is on stretched timing chains . but until you get some codes Its a guessing game

**LeroyPatrol** · 28-02-17, 06:10 PM

Yeh I was going to say that and then scrolled down to see your reply carjackma! I tell people to stay away from them.

......Leroy

**Godzilla** · 28-02-17, 06:47 PM

Without the codes your second guessing, get it scanned.

Could be O2 sensors or Maf/Map depending on what they run.

Im currently dealing with a E350 Merc with a AMG brake upgrade on it.

Mate recons it needed pads and rotors so i just took it to a mate with a workshop because you need to disable the braking system on them with a scanner before working on it.

I recon its his SBC system...apparently Merc put a counter in the unit, once you have pressed the brake pedal 300,000 times it logs a fault and you need to change the unit.

Ive heard stories of it costing $8000 just to buy the part new.......however if a certain code is triggered Merc will replace the unit under warranty if its under 10 years old.

Bet you its just over 10 Years.....

**carjackma** · 28-02-17, 06:56 PM

Godzilla I agree it needs to be scanned

Its just showing all the signs associated with timing chains on a series 1 VE and the mileage is about right for failure. I do so many of them that I can do them in my sleep

Allover The device you asked about is a bluetooth elm 327 reader that you use an app for to get the codes .

**checkitout** · 28-02-17, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by carjackma

Godzilla I agree it needs to be scanned

Its just showing all the signs associated with timing chains on a series 1 VE and the mileage is about right for failure. I do so many of them that I can do them in my sleep

Allover The device you asked about is a bluetooth elm 327 reader that you use an app for to get the codes .

The ELM 327 is also comes in a wifi version, you will need this version if you have an Apple Device - The bluetooth version are only compatible with Android. Plenty on ebay from $10 to $30 including software, best thing since sliced cheese

Yep read the codes as they are trying to tell you what the problem is ... good luck

**allover** · 28-02-17, 09:36 PM

Thanks guys, forgot to mention that the O2 sensors had been changed prior to delivery. Is it a timing chain or the belt? If chain how much? Will get an ELM 327 and report back

**Rick** · 28-02-17, 10:14 PM

Only one way to diagnose properly, and thats with a Holden Tech2 scantool, my moneys on timing chain, they are a prick for it, and the k's are about the time they shit themselves, usually around the $3000 to replace it

**VroomVroom** · 01-03-17, 08:01 AM

is there a chuff chuff noise at start up? signifies stretched timing chains

**allover** · 01-03-17, 06:11 PM

Guys thanks for the responses, tried to start it several times but just sounded like starter noise to my untrained ears, will compare it with the neighbors Commodores, any particular brand of ELM327, looked and read a few reviews, seems like a few shonky products out there

**carjackma** · 01-03-17, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by allover

Guys thanks for the responses, tried to start it several times but just sounded like starter noise to my untrained ears, will compare it with the neighbors Commodores, any particular brand of ELM327, looked and read a few reviews, seems like a few shonky products out there

I have tried both of these no problems with either

**enf** · 01-03-17, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by allover

Guys thanks for the responses, tried to start it several times but just sounded like starter noise to my untrained ears, will compare it with the neighbors Commodores, any particular brand of ELM327, looked and read a few reviews, seems like a few shonky products out there

When I was looking into these I found there were complaints from various sources with all of them. I got this one...

Links via bluetooth to an App on the phone and reads the codes. I had diagnosed the problem (via the internet, AND Godzilla) with my car (also a VE) down to a couple of things, one of which was correct. Mine wasn't an engine issue, even though the Check Engine warning came on. Seems it does for everything.

I dunno how reliable the sender is as I only used it the once.

The port is under the dash on the right, near the bonnet release.

Disconnecting the battery will clear the error, as will starting the car a few times....

For plenty of Commodore specific advice, go to and ask on the forums.

Cheers and good luck..

**allover** · 09-03-17, 06:38 PM

OK, purchased the ELM327, loaded software, first sign of trouble looked for the codes, non???
Had purchased a new radiator cap which seems to have slowed the messages down
The main message seems now to be the stability control keeps being disconnected but think this is a different topic
My wife and i think that junior is turning the ignition on so fast that the car does not have time to check all processes before starting thus confusing the software??
Still searching for answers, help would be appreciated

**vnboost** · 09-03-17, 08:15 PM

Those ELM (Generic OBDII) scanners are crap in my opinion, you really need to get it plugged in to a scanner that can probe all modules in the car.

**Rick** · 09-03-17, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by vnboost

Those ELM (Generic OBDII) scanners are crap in my opinion, you really need to get it plugged in to a scanner that can probe all modules in the car.

Agreed, thats why I bought the Holden Tech2 scan tool, takes all the guess work out of it, had a bloke show up the other day with his SS, spent thousands at a mechanical shop replacing this that and the other due to engine light coming on and off, hooked it up to tech2 and both knock sensors were faulty, replaced both charged him $200 and he was on his way and one very happy man

**allover** · 14-03-17, 06:31 PM

OK the light came on today again, this time i got a number
And the lucky number is P0101 = MAF (mass air flow)

Evidently a sensor mounted in the air flow down stream from the air filter.
Suggestions how to clean and other tip would be appreciated

**Rick** · 14-03-17, 07:37 PM

Buy some MAF sensor cleaner, remove the MAF sensor and give it a good spray, be careful not to touch any of the sensors with the nozzle of the MAF cleaner, I usually just shake dry the MAF once its clean, do NOT use compressed air on it

**allover** · 14-03-17, 08:33 PM

Thanks Rick, you have returned to Austech at the wrong time, ie to beat me in the footy tipping contest

**allover** · 15-03-17, 05:19 PM

OK cleaned the MAF, fingers crossed the motor light wont show again
Now for the Stability Control and ESP lights, check battery check alternator, check wheel sensors???????? no warning numbers
The major satisfaction is it don't appear to be the timing chain (sh1t should have i written that)

**allover** · 26-04-17, 02:03 PM

Aggggh, back again, cleaned MAF even went so far as check the voltages, reasoned it was stuffed, bought a new MAF sensor $170, all fine for a while, then in two days ago red engine light, re checked P0101 came up, then yesterday vehicle just stalled and lost power when my wife was driving, the part i cannot handle is the phone calls complaining i should do some thing, but don't know what
It was suggested i should get it correctly calibrated but to get it running properly i have to disconnect the battery which clears all codes, so back in square one. Would it be any advantage to take it to an auto elect or a tuning place, hopefully not Autotune as i don't trust them (or the owner)? Thanks in anticipation