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.

Coolant issues with my 2011 Holden Commodore SV6

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.

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 2016 Problems

No car is perfect, but we've gathered everything relating to the Holden Commodore 2016 reliability here to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Holden Commodore: A good buy?

Answered by CarsGuide 15 Jun 2018

Yes, there’s no reason to be concerned about buying a Commodore of that age and kilometres.

Holden Commodore: Future

Answered by CarsGuide 19 Aug 2016

Holden hasn't announced a final date for the closure of the Elizabeth plant in South Australia. All it has said to date is that production of the Commodore will cease towards the end of 2017.

FJ Cruiser likely to sell out?

Answered by CarsGuide 23 May 2016

It's a different situation as the FJ is a global model but you should probably move even more quickly as Toyota Australia will have to confirm soon on its final orders. FJ owners generally have made an emotional choice so it's unlikely the used-car values will be dropping soon.

Best time to buy a Commodore before factory close?

Answered by CarsGuide 17 May 2016

There are some limited-edition cars in the pipeline and I'd go for one of those with the special equipment. But keep in touch with a friendly dealer and don't delay, as they are likely to sell out and — as we've seen with the rundown of Falcon production — the factory numbers have to be set early.

Hot hatch or sports sedan?

Answered by CarsGuide 9 May 2016

Years ago when you owned your Torana it was considered something of a performance car, as the Clubsport, SSV and Calais are today, but there are many other ways of getting your driving thrills today without having to go for a V8. Some of the hot hatches now available would give you all the thrills, and more, than the big-bangers of old. Take a test drive in a VW Golf GTi or one of the fast Ford Focuses and I'm sure you'd rethink your choice. All the cars you mention, the Clubsport, SSV and Calais are good cars with plenty of grunt, the V8 sound, and the comfort of a big car. For mine though I'd be going for a hot hatch.

Engine

How long do car companies have to supply car parts?

Answered by CarsGuide 14 Mar 2016

It’s not a myth, it’s the law. It’s also why Ford is stamping a 10-year supply of Falcon and Territory body panels this month in Geelong before closing down that part of its local production operation.

Mazda MX-5, Toyota 86 or Mustang for long-time V8 driver?

Answered by CarsGuide 5 Feb 2016

Wow, that is a major change of direction. Before you make such a change I would suggest you actually test drive each of the cars you're thinking of to see if they really suit you. The Mazda MX-5 is a two-seater and not very practical for instance. It's hard to advise you because we don't anything about what you want from the car you buy. If it was me I would probably buy the MX-5, I would have no problem with a two-seater.

Are bigger wheels better?

Answered by CarsGuide 29 Jan 2016

Larger wheels are used mostly for styling and image reasons, plus the fact that the carmakers can charge more for them. As for the ride, larger wheels go in tandem with low profile tyres, which ride harder and are less comfortable.

Family cars... small car, hatch and sedan?

Answered by CarsGuide 11 Jan 2016

A Hyundai i20 for the daughter, because it's cheap and reliable; a Mazda3 for the mother, because its a great secondhand buy and ideal for her needs; and Holden Commodore for the father, because it's a great drive and the V6 is surprisingly economical.

New V8 Commodore launch date?

Answered by CarsGuide 31 Aug 2015

We're also expecting the power boost for the Commodore tweak, which is happening in October.

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