Holden VT electrical monster, not a gremlin but a monster

Holden/Delco Tuning. ALDL, OBD 1.5. Circa 1989 to 2004.
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Re: Holden VT electrical monster, not a gremlin but a monste

Post by vs ss »

It is doing all the signs of a stuffed battery Seems how once it was running and the alternator was charging things worked ok.
So maybe the abs is playing up when free reving due to the alternator having no load to dump its power if the battery has a dead cell.
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Re: Holden VT electrical monster, not a gremlin but a monste

Post by Gunner »

just took it for a drive, stopped at my sisters place, left it running, then it turned itself off (going to assume alt, had stopped charging). So one would assume it is the battery, but it still cranks slow, even with a 800cca battery jumping it (out of bro in laws truck) and I need to tap the key four or fives times for it to actually kick over.
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Re: Holden VT electrical monster, not a gremlin but a monste

Post by immortality »

A sick battery can also pull down a good battery when trying to jump start. Try actually changing the battery, not just jumping it.
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Re: Holden VT electrical monster, not a gremlin but a monste

Post by Gunner »

Im aware of that, but as I stated in my first post, I did charge the battery. But it still struggles to turn the engine over with 14+volts.

I have tried everything except connect a scan tool (don't have one) and Im yet to swap out the bcm, and pcm. Ill give that a go when I get the chance.
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Re: Holden VT electrical monster, not a gremlin but a monste

Post by antus »

Yeah Ive seen batteries with loose cells that look ok, charge ok, but move them or put them under cranking load and then problems like your seeing. I'd try repeating the test with the current battery disconnected before going to the effort of swapping all that stuff over.
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Re: Holden VT electrical monster, not a gremlin but a monste

Post by Gunner »

Ive just added a new starter cable (running factory as well), starts a lot better. Will throw in another battery shortly, only have a tiny dry cell for the old race car, which just doesn't have the balls
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Re: Holden VT electrical monster, not a gremlin but a monste

Post by mattyc »

Check the main power lead on the back of the alternator, they were very prone to burning the wire from the inside out, but sometimes never really showed, and other thing I have found is battery's although seem good, can be stuffed, just try another one
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Re: Holden VT electrical monster, not a gremlin but a monste

Post by Helical »

My brother's WK Statesman was having electrical issues, not as bad as yours, mainly not charging then ABS going spaco when the voltage went too low etc. Found out in the end it was the charge wire that runs under the engine had burnt through (LS1).

Your problem sounds a bit different but it's another possibility.

Troy
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Re: Holden VT electrical monster, not a gremlin but a monste

Post by Charlescrown »

Have a look at the main fuses. 2 big ones near the battery. VT's had a big problem with them coming loose and burning badly. Caused all sorts of funny things to happen. Electricity always takes the easiest path and when it's not right that's when all funny things start happening. When I get a car with more than 1 thing doing strange things I check all earths and power cables. Good luck.
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Re: Holden VT electrical monster, not a gremlin but a monste

Post by Charlescrown »

Whats the outcome with this car? Is it fixed?