My 2019 Holden Commodore ZB has a warning message to check the right indicator light

Many mechanics at this point would put their money on a bad earth somewhere on the car. Even though the LED light is working, the car’s computer thinks otherwise and, since LEDs draw so little current in the first place, they can be a bit hard to diagnose. Even so, the fast flashing suggests that there’s definitely a problem. To be honest, an auto electrician is probably your best bet at this stage. Some owners of older cars have found that switching to LED headlight globes can cause the car to think that there’s a blown light somewhere as the current being drawn by the LEDs is so small compared with the normal globes the car came with. Fundamentally, the computer can’t see the current that should be being drawn when the lights are on, and fires the check-light warning symbol. You may find it’s the LED indicator light unit itself that is faulty. These can develop random failures in the internal circuitry that controls them. The first thing to do, though, is to try the home computer reset which involves disconnecting the battery overnight and seeing if that calms the computer’s nerves. It might not work, but it’s free to try.

After replacing my 2001 Holden Commodore's transmission, the engine no longer turns over.

You need to go back to basics here. Check that the battery is connected firmly and that all the connections and low-voltage leads that power and trigger the starter motor are in their correct places and receiving power. Don’t forget to check for earth straps and cables that might have been left off in the reassembly process, too. If the car is getting power (and the dashboard lights suggest it is) then there’s a problem between the ignition key and the starter motor. Tackle it methodically, checking for power (a test lead or multimeter will be invaluable for this) as you work your way towards the starter motor and you’ll probably find it’s something really simple and basic. Make sure the fuse or relay for the starter motor hasn’t been fried during the gearbox swap, too.

Inaccurate error messages in my 2018 Holden ZB Commodore

The answer is probably a pretty simple one in terms of what’s causing it. The warning light is to remind you to leave the car with Park engaged. So, the gear selector will have a tiny sensor or micro-switch that detects the selector in the Park position which is then conveyed to the car’s body computer. But if the sensor or switch is faulty or not adjusted correctly, the computer will think the car is not in Park and will light up the warning to alert you. The intermittent nature of the fault is what makes us think this is the case, combined with the fact that a quick flick of the T-bar button is enough to make the warning disappear. So much for the cause, because the fix might be a bit more complicated. Depending on where the sensors and switches live, you may need to disassemble more of the car than would seem necessary to fix such a seemingly small problem. An auto electrician should be able to make sense of it.

Could my Holden Commodore have a manifold leak?

A manifold leak will throw the engine’s fuel-air ratio out the window and can cause poor cold running and hard starting. The old school way of checking for a vacuum leak is to get the engine idling and then spray either carburettor cleaner (or something else flammable) around the intake area of the engine. If the engine suddenly picks up revs, you almost certainly have a vacuum leak. But be careful, spraying flammable stuff around a running engine comes with a fire risk. The other thing to check would be the throttle body and the sensor attached to it that tells the computer how much throttle has been applied. Again, these can start to give false readings, throwing the fuel-air mixture out.

Where to find a replacement transmission for a 1995 Holden Commodore?

All the V6 Commodores from this era used much the same automatic transmission, a four-speed unit. While most of these units were identical, there were some detail differences across the years, so make sure you get the transmission with the correct number of electrical pins to be compatible with the wiring loom in your car. It shouldn’t matter whether the replacement transmission came from a car with a floor-shift; it should still hook up to your column shift mechanism with no problems. You might have to swap a few bits and pieces involved in the shifter mechanism to mate it all, but you’ll be able to make it work.

2003 Holden Commodore VY Crewman shuddering under acceleration

This could be the result of a worn or poorly adjusted transmission, a worn torque converter or even something simple like a low transmission-fluid level. So that’s job one: Check the level of fluid on the dipstick. If that’s okay, you really need to see a transmission specialist who has probably seen these exact symptoms before. What I can tell you for sure is that the automatic gearboxes fitted to Holdens of this era did have a finite lifespan before they needed either an overhaul or outright replacement. But make sure your mechanic checks that the cause of the vibration is not a worn universal joint or bent axle or an out-of-balance drive-shaft. Even a sticking brake or a worn engine mount can induce vibrations into a moving or accelerating car, so rule all that stuff out first.

2019 Holden Commodore is vibrating at idle

First thoughts would be that you have a fuel injector that is not spraying either the correct amount of fuel and/or in the correct pattern for proper combustion. This will certainly bring on the symptoms you’re seeing, as well as ruining fuel economy. It’s also most likely to show up if the engine has been sitting for a while. But the reality is that a modern engine like this one has literally hundreds of electronic sensors and systems that can all add up to poor running and economy. The best bet is to have the car scanned to see if the on-board computer has logged any faults. Without this intelligence, you’re flying blind, replacing parts that may or may not fix the problem.

Why is the engine light on in my 2010 Holden Commodore

There are literally hundreds of things that can cause a check-engine light in a modern, computer-controlled car. A problem with the ignition, fuel system, emissions-control system, air-intake, lubrication, cooling and much, much more can cause this light to illuminate. The best way to proceed is to have the vehicle electronically scanned. That way, the computer can tell the mechanic where the problem is and, hopefully, precisely what’s causing the check-engine light to flicker on. For the record, however, a common fault with the V6 engine in this series of Commodores is a stretched timing chain that the computer interprets as incorrect valve timing (which it is). Plenty of owners of this model have discovered this as the cause of their check-engine light.

Holden Commodore 2011 Problems

No car is perfect, but we've gathered everything relating to the Holden Commodore 2011 reliability here to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Coolant issues with my 2011 Holden Commodore SV6

Answered by CarsGuide 14 Jan 2025

Before you do either of those things (replace the engine or the whole car) find out where the coolant is leaking from. You might find that it’s a simple case of a leaking hose or a worn out water pump that is causing the leak. If that’s the case, it could be fixed for a few hundred dollars or perhaps even less. Even if the problem is a rotted welch plug or a blown head gasket, the cost to fix it won’t be anywhere near as high as replacing the engine.

On top of that, you know the history of the engine you have, while a second-hand engine can be a bit of a lucky-dip: You might get a good one, you might not.

Holden Commodore 2011:

Answered by CarsGuide 17 May 2019

The Alloytec V6 was known to have problems with the timing chain. There is no warranty on repairs as such, and with four years having lapsed since the work was done any warranty that might have existed has long since passed. You could contact Holden’s customer service (1800 033 349) and lodge your concerns with them.

Engine

Used Holden Commodore review: 2006-2015

31 Mar 2017 · by Ewan Kennedy

The end is nigh for the Australian built Holden Commodore, with the factory closing down in October. The nameplate will continue, albeit on a slightly smaller imported model made by Opel in Europe. ...

Berlina a suitable trade in for a Transit?

Answered by CarsGuide 12 Aug 2016

If you are not sure about the van you're buying then back out of the deal while you have the chance. The next time you decide on a van have it checked by a mechanic.

Commodore engine clunking noise?

Answered by CarsGuide 18 Mar 2016

It does sound like the engine might be terminal, but you should have a mechanic properly diagnose the problem before you do anything. If a new engine is required you should be able to get a reconditioned one, which would save you a lot of money.

Engine

Used Holden Commodore review: 1997-2015

24 Feb 2016 · by Ewan Kennedy

Ewan Kennedy reviews the VT, VX, VY, VZ, VE and VF Holden Commodore between 1997 and 2015 as a used buy.

Commodore with shuddering auto

Answered by CarsGuide 3 Jul 2015

There was a problem with the torque converters in some 2012 Commodores that led to shuddering. It is possible that your car is affected. It is a pity you didn't act on it earlier when you first observed the shuddering, but it's not too late to do it now. Go back to the Holden dealer and ask him to make a request to Holden to fix it. If you get no satisfaction with the dealer go directly to Holden and make the request yourself.

Transmission

Used Holden Commodore review: 1997-2014

13 Oct 2014 · by Ewan Kennedy

Commodore was the best selling car in Australia for many years so there are hundreds of used family Holdens on sale at any one time, meaning that smart buyers can take their time and find exactly ...

$50k replacement for VE Berlina

Answered by CarsGuide 8 Sep 2014

Trust me on this, and take a test drive in a Skoda Superb. It's a silly name but it's in that price bracket and it's a truly great car. It will also have similar cabin space to your Commodore.

VE Series 2 SV6 Commodore oil consumption

Answered by CarsGuide 3 Jan 2014

Hopefully you will receive the attention you need to fix the oil consumption problem. It's good to hear of a satisfactory outcome.

Engine

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