Got a Problem - Cant start VR.

Smoke Pursuit · 03-10-2006, 11:20 PM

One of my mates (female) went to drive her car home tonight and it wont start, its a VR Commy.

Now all the dash lights work and the radio yet it wont turn over, it doesnt click or anything like the starter motors trying to do its thing. She thinks its a flat battery but im going to check it with her in the morning, what should i be looking for. If it was a flat battery one would think that if the dash lights came on it would still try and turn the start motor. As you can see i always have new cars and seem to be able to avoid these issues. They had an issue with the fuel pump a few months back, but i reckon it could be a starter motor, if it is then ill have to get it sorted for her pretty quick as she needs a car (here we come holden to get *** raped).

I know this should be somewhere else but i thought more might see it tonight and give me a hand.

Rob · 03-10-2006, 11:22 PM

Is the car in gear? I know its stupid, but it catches the best of us at times.

Smoke Pursuit · 03-10-2006, 11:23 PM

GOOD POINT, i bloody well hope so.

I remember some of the V series / E series cars that sometimes even when they are in park they wont start as the locking mechnism hasnt clicked over.

Thanks for that tip, thats first on the list.

Rob · 03-10-2006, 11:25 PM

I spent about an hour and a half once trying to figure out why a mates XF wouldnt fire over.. turns out it was in drive

:

TUF514 · 03-10-2006, 11:29 PM

lmfao.

yeah that deffenitely could be it.

alternator isnt on the way out?

i dont see it as a problem, but a beautiful twist of fate.

thank you lord for rendering another vr useless, if only temporarily!

Smoke Pursuit · 03-10-2006, 11:31 PM

Id say its not going to be simple, apparently one of the terminals was loose a few weeks ago??

Anyways i know in the moring, id like to get it started so i could atleast get it to a Dealer / Mechanic for her, thats the next problem finding a decent mechanic in brisbane who wont charge the earth - yet again im use to new cars with warranty that hardly ever see mechanics.

Rob · 03-10-2006, 11:32 PM

I was gonna say, if the starter kicks over but the engine wont fire, give the fuel tank a bash. The pumps use the petrol as coolant and are notorious for failing.. but you say the starter wont go at all. Hmm...... do VR's have the immobiliser killswitch in the passenger door like VP's do? That might fix it.

Bucket · 03-10-2006, 11:46 PM

You summed the problem up in the Thread Subject line ;)

:hihi:

On a serious note..what are the symptoms? as in....noise from the starter motor?
Sounds to me like that might be it..or the coil has died??

Smoke Pursuit · 03-10-2006, 11:49 PM

I dunno it i get there tomorrow, i was going to to and try and jump it tonight but she only got on to me at 10, bit late.

she said it wasnt clicking or anything, but radio and dash lights were on, i hope its in drive or something stupid, the cars not with her now so i cant ask her.

XR Martin · 03-10-2006, 11:58 PM

Is she hot?

Joes_meat · 04-10-2006, 12:51 AM

Wiggle the auto gear stick a bit. These cars are notorious for having bad neutral switches. So wiggle it, put it in neutral etc.

Could be the immobiliser, press the unlock button as you turn the key.

Try kicking it. Or yelling. Cursing is optional.

Kryton · 04-10-2006, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joes_meat

Wiggle the auto gear stick a bit. These cars are notorious for having bad neutral switches. So wiggle it, put it in neutral etc.

Could be the immobiliser, press the unlock button as you turn the key.

Try kicking it. Or yelling. Cursing is optional.

as above. does it have a key fob? does it unlock/lock the car or do you have to use the key?
if it has a fob and it doesnt work at all you will need a new key fob to start the car.
try holding the unlock button as you start it as well.
bash the fuel tank while someone is starting the car.
check the starter motor and bash with a hammer.
check the inhibitor switch on the gear selector.

i went through all of this yesterday...it was a flat key fob. you will NOT be able to start the car if it is flat.

Kryton · 04-10-2006, 01:09 AM

forgot to add...VR's have a removable battery (if it was built earlier in the year) so you can change the battery and you shouldnt lose the program.

fmc351 · 04-10-2006, 01:15 AM

Check the terminals, they could be making enough contact to light up small amp draw lighting and radios etc, but not enough to kick over the solenoid on the starter. Check the lead on the starter end too.

And as above, neutral or park issues.

From what youve said, beyond this, youll need someone to look at it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Is she hot?

It wont be hot after sitting for a while.

See what i did there?

Smoke Pursuit · 04-10-2006, 02:03 PM

all fixed, loose terminal on battery.
Got a new battery and the terminals tidied up for her so shes back on the road.

Joes_meat · 04-10-2006, 04:15 PM

Heh, good to hear it was just a nice simple problem.

**Professor Farnsworth** · 04-10-2006, 04:20 PM

good stuff, but a couple of things:

1) it's still quite possible for the dash lights to light up, but the starter won't kick if it has a low battery, i've had that several times. Powering the dash lights takes HEAPS less power than turning a starter.

2) Just because you have new cars, it doesn't mean these things will not happen to you ;p I've had all sorts of cars old and new and they've all given issues of some sort. But generally yes battery issues should be lower, unless it's a dud battery from the factory, or has no fluid in it or something. Best bet for batteries is to buy them from a place (like batteryworld) who will fill the fluids when you buy them. Rather than having it sit with fluids in it for months/years on a shelf. You get better life out of them this way.

Anyway good-o.