1988 Holden Commodore VL from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Not much really. A few minor things though.

* Speedo sticks on zero occasionally if it's hot weather and exposed.

* Air-conditioner switch doesn't work on the number 2 position. Only on 3 and 4.

* Radiator needs replacing in the near future.

* All hoses replaced - probably all original.

A great first car and couldn't have wanted anything else. In comparison to the later VN model I prefer it a lot more as it doesn't seem as fat and big.

A very reliable car and a great bargain. At present expect to pay $4500 to $7000 or more for a decent car.

If anyone can help with ideas on replacement of the air con switch or suggestions about the speedo, please let me know!

With the air-conditioner switch, all you need to do is go to your local Holden dealer and tell them the problem and it's not hard to fix it. Can be fixed for under $30.

I've got a VL with the same problem and I was told I'd have to buy a whole new switch assembly (the whole panel), from memory they charge close to $100.00.

Does your odometer work?? If it doesn't it can be that the little gears are stripped inside and that may cause your speedo to not work in some weather! An easy way to fix it is to go and get a second hand instrument cluster (only about $60). And it's only 8 screws!!

Judging by your mileage, a likely cause of your speedo sticking is the effect of 'cable run' - this is where the speedometer cable itself begins to stretch as a result of it unraveling - this is common on many older cars. Once the cable stretches, it has nowhere to go except along the length of the cable, putting pressure against the speedometer gears, making the needle stick.

Do try the odometer suggestion, as it is a good idea, but maybe you do need to replace the speedo cable - it's a very simple job on the VL.

Another thing to add is that when you have the hoses replaced, it is a very good idea to have the entire cooling system flushed. The problem with the VL motor is that Holden did not use the Nissan cylinder head, they used their own design for the VL - resulting in a head that was more prone to overheating and warping (beats me why Holden went to all the trouble of sourcing a Nissan motor and not using the cylinder head designed specifically for that motor!). The remedy for this is to just make sure the cooling system is regularly flushed and that you use a really good coolant - I recommend a concentrate coolant that you mix and top up with distilled water (not tap water!!). Also, you will need to back this up by ensuring your thermostat, water pump, hoses, radiator and the rest of the cooling system are in great shape - a little preventative maintenance really pays off here! This should give you trouble free motoring and a cooler running engine.

Hope this helps.

David (carsurvey.org member)

Ventilation Fan only works on 3 & 4:

You need to replace the resistor block under the plenum.

Open bonnet.

Remove wiper arms (13mm ring spanner).

Remove 5 clips along plastic plenum near windscreen.

Remove 2 plastic nuts around wiper arms.

Remove weather strip from other side of plenum (seals to bonnet).

Remove plenum CAREFULLY.

Remove plastic cap on right hand side.

Remove 2 screws, unplug resistor block.

Reassemble with updated resistor block.

Adrian lefty2446@hotmail.com.