04 VY Monaro CV8 MOT fail

[GSE]

Failed on -

Parking brake efficiency below requirements - NS locked at 19kg, OS no lock at 211kg:

I seem to remember that when you apply the handbrake, regardless of how hard the lever has been pulled up, it completely locks the wheels and stops the car moving forward. But when moving backwards it doesn't completely lock up but allows some movement depending on how hard the lever has been applied. What would cause "no lock" on the OS at 211kg? Adjustment? Something I could have a go at fixing myself?

Engine mil inoperative or indicates a malfunction:

I have had the "check engine" message appear on engine start for years, but have never found out what the message is referring to. A plug in scan tool reports nothing. I just press the set button and it goes away and doesn't appear during driving. The car has never failed an MOT because of this ... until now... changes of rules apparently

Also the MOT tester is saying that, in addition to the check message, the car will also fail, because no check engine "light" appears on the dash when you turn the ignition on and It should go off once the engine starts.

I've owned this car from new, and as far as I can remember it has NEVER had an engine management light appear when you turn on the ignition.

So car now sitting on the drive without an MOT, and I'm unsure what to do. How can I get the "check engine" message diagnosed?

[motomk]

Parking brakes just need adjusting??? Should only need to remove the wheels and then remove the rubber caps on the brake disc and adjust the "star drives"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iduKDxpp0Ks

[Lincsls1]

As above, the handbrake is adjusted by removing the rear wheels and adjusting the shoes to the drums through a hole in the discs aligned with the adjusting wheel.
As for the check engine light, can't help there however not sure if the o2 sensors can bring this message up. Any history with them?
Regarding the 'no check engine light' with ignition on which goes out when started, you are 100% correct, the Monaro doesn't have one and a few owners have had this issue at MOT time which has been resolved by explaining this to the tester. It is NOT a failure if the car doesn't have that feature.
A bit of searching on this forum may reveal more.

IMO, get the handbrake sorted first either DIY or any decent garage and use a different MOT station, he's being OTT with the check engine issues.

[vxr2010]

The brakes can be done as described above plus it can be done on the handbrake too i believe , but as yours sounds like an inbalance then adjust via the hubs but the handbrake adjustment maybe enough for an mot , the start up shows all is ok that is your cel light , me thinks different mot tester or station , the other failures are excessive hand brake grab again an mot tester not knowing the car , my local tester , handbrake on first then test the brakes

[GSE]

Thanks for the info folks. A year or so ago 02 sensors were suggested as a possible cause, I got a new set from AAS in Newcastle but they have the wrong plugs on them, square plug v straight plug, AAS told me how to rewire the new sensors into the old plugs but I never got around to doing it. Somebody suggested doing some button pressing on the dash which brings up a binary code, I did this and it brought up a code referring to the (aftermarket) radio that I have fitted... could it really be this? Should I pull the radio out and see if the error goes away? I guess it's about time that I find out what the code really means. Even though it has an OBD port a normal code reader doesn't read it and 'higher level' software is needed to read it. Go to a Vauxhall VXR dealer for them to have a look .. do they still exist? Or would somebody have the right kit to read the code with the car at my home? in exchange for some beers or whatever else might be required?

eta.. actually I still have the original radio so I could try refitting it.

Edited by GSE on Tuesday 17th August 18:24

[Lincsls1]

How far are you from Walkinshaw Performance?
Or MWP in Chester? I wouldn't bother with a regular Vauxhall VXR dealer. They'll have zero interest or clue!
No harm in pulling the audio, even if its just for the MOT.
If the o2 sensors were suggested a while back and you've actually got some new ones then maybe its time to get them in, see what happens.

[GSE]

I'll try replacing the radio at the weekend. I don't really want to replace the 02 sensors (yet) as it's almost impossible to get underneath the car on my drive. I'm near Bishops Stortford in Essex.

Edited by GSE on Tuesday 17th August 18:33

[dazvxr]

When I took my 04vxr for an not last year I noticed that it had no check engine light on dash leading me to worry about the new rules and possible fail, subsequent investigation lead me to find out it doesn't have one, it just has the message centre inbetween the clocks. I'm sure I found this info on here somewhere???

As for the handbrake, they are a bit crap in reverse, but savage going forward and lock on. I have the odd issue with the O/S one unadjusting itself over time. Simple enough to adjust up, remove wheel, caliper, caliper holder, whip disc off and adjust up using knurled wheel until disc slides back on without binding, any extra adjustment can be done through hole in drum.

[Lincsls1]

GSE said:

I'll try replacing the radio at the weekend. I don't really want to replace the 02 sensors (yet) as it's almost impossible to get underneath the car on my drive. I'm near Bishops Stortford in Essex.

TBH, I'd be amazed if the radio has anything to do with the 'check engine' message, I have an aftermarket system in too and have no issues.
Worth a try I suppose.
Good luck.

[vxr2010]

02 sensors are easy to change , it sound like the wrong sensor there is a plug all in a line or a plug a square block of four , get sensors from au or aas or mwp or walkinshaw the rock auto ones did not work on mine possibly a different type from au ?

[astonman]

I had the check engine light at startup for years,car always ran fine.When,I had it checked, originally by an auto- electrician, he found a fault number and apparently then " asked", the brain what the problem was? The brain then said,No problem!
So, I gave up.
Then with the changes in MOT, I asked was it going to be a problem?
They said,as long as you can cancel the Mil light ( which you can) then it's a grey area.But offered to plug in their device to check it.
So,they plugged it in (£35 + vat I think) and found a mega number of codes ( many years worth,Eg flat battery,but I've had 3/4 batteries over years).
They cleared the codes and restarted.Oil pressure sensor fault came up.They then cleared the code and restarted again,oil pressure sensor fault again.
So,got a new sensor,they fitted it and it been perfect for 8 months.
Local garage ,in Macclesfield,with good proper old school mechanics,but with a newish owner who bought some good diagnostic kit.

[anonymous-user]

GSE said:

I'll try replacing the radio at the weekend. I don't really want to replace the 02 sensors (yet) as it's almost impossible to get underneath the car on my drive. I'm near Bishops Stortford in Essex.

Edited by GSE on Tuesday 17th August 18:33

You could take it to Top Cats. They also do their own MOTs. Or LS Performance Parts are about the same distance. I’ve used and recommend both.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 18th August 21:24

[dan mugglestone]

The snapon diagnostics tool reads monaro obd .
But as said above either educate the mot tester or find another that understands. A simple adjust or free up of a sticky part or adjustment on the handbrake should see it working again any mechanic can sort that .

[sixor8]

I had a Monaro VXR for 6 months 2019 / 20.

I seem to remember the engine check light on these cars doesn't light up on ignition on, only when there's a fault. Being an Australian import, the functionality may not be the same. I certainly had no problem at the MoT test.

[GSE]

It wasn't the radio, refitted the old one, still getting check engine on engine start. The reader I'm using shows no codes.

dan mugglestone said:

The snapon diagnostics tool reads monaro obd

Got a link to one that can read the monaro ecu?

[GSE]

All sorted thanks to Warren at Topcats. No more annoying bleeps on engine start! Oil pressure switch and air intake sensor issues. Took it home on an extended test drive via the coombe hill war memorial (amazing views!) the car is running great. Good to have it back

Edited by GSE on Monday 13th September 21:37

[Lincsls1]

Good news.
Keep hearing good things about the work at Topcats on our Monaros. Fast becoming a specialist I'd say.

[SturdyHSV]

Lincsls1 said:

Good news.
Keep hearing good things about the work at Topcats on our Monaros. Fast becoming a specialist I'd say.

Warren and Charlotte are great to deal with, both race the cars the team builds, and TopCats are very well known in TVR circles for 'fixing' them by swapping LS engines in.

As such I think it's fair to say pretty much anything our cars can throw up they'll be more than capable of fixing mechanically

Always lots of cool stuff in the hangar too!