1989 Holden Commodore S VN from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

Things that went wrong were:

Leaking radiator.

Leaking water pump (nb. if I'd used the prescribed inhibitors this may not have happened).

Fuel pump failed (they all do!)

Warped front discs.

Not a major problem, but some of the window seals became loose.

The VN was one of the lightest Commodores ever built, and the original V6's were tuned to be very throttle responsive, so the car had excellent acceleration. I have driven a lot of current Commodores and they just don't have the same acceleration.

The FE2 suspension gave good handling, though the car had a tendency for the tail to slide. The ride was a bit harsh. It was always a fun car to drive hard, but my current car (1999 Ford Falcon) may not go as hard but is much better built.

I have a VN S pack which has very good acceleration.

Coil pack went, but my fuel pump is still fine, should I replace this?

Oil leaks at the engine (rear main seal) and the rear suspension clonks.

Be prepared to feel every bump, especially with FE2. Other than that, a great car to drive.

Hi, you should replace it cause it happens to all. I have a VN Persuit and I have to do all the things. But I think the VN is a good car and you should do it up.

I have had a 1989 vn calais for three months now, the best car I have owned.Yet, for some reason, when I have only a quarter of a tank left, when I put my foot down, it coughs and splutters.Sometimes, even dies. Is this the fuel pump?

I have a vn berlina only problem I have with it is the electric windows, but I have them sorted now very nice car to drive go's hard go acceleration. had it for three years an now I am putting a vr front end on it which looks nice.

Hi, I have a Holden Commodore VN 1989. Can someone please tell me how often the coil pack go's in VN's?

Thanks.

Hi, I have owned a 1989 VN Commodore for over a year now and have had to change the fuel pump twice. It was recently changed by a mechanic, but I only had it home for four days and I have yet another problem, it now won't start and I am thinking that it could be the fuel filter, any suggestions would be great thanks.

Hey I have had my VN S for about two years now, it is 100% standard, an old 90 yr old woman had it for the past 10 years so it was a really good buy. straight as, I haven't had a problem with my fuel pump at all and I have run out of petty about ten times and that isn't really supposed to be very healthy 4 the fuel pump. Go the VN, it is a good car, goes hard!

I have a vn wagon my computer went at 400,024km, but didn't realize until 100 or so km's later the radiator gauge does not seem to work so it's really not hard to fix 50-100 at a wreckers should get you one and put it in on the kick panel LHS now that my wagon's got to about 417,000 my coil is earthing out on spark-plug lead number 2 change gasket between muffler part 1 and muffler part 2 tends to be common after 200,000km's if it sounds really sick that's it if I have helped anyone on here good luck.

I've had my 1989 VN exec for about a year. Had a lot of trouble with the wipers. The pivot arm assembly is basically held together by a bit of rubber and I had it on high for some time and with the rubber heated and worn...whoops no wipers. Wiper motors are spose to give out on the VN's as well so I got a spare just incase.

Had to replace the intermediate pipe on the muffler as posted before, but it is 20odd years old... Cost me $100.

Suspension clonks a bit probs about $200 - $400 job, but she goes. The tail does tend to slip out on sharp corners (not dangerously, but I can feel it), Is this really caused by my suspension?

Starts first time every time hasn't let me down. So yeah shes reliable. Previous owners had rust done and a new paintjob, but I don't know if that was a big job or not.

She looks good and drives well, and I've found it really easy to get parts for, every wrecker has a least something and even new parts aren't hard to come across... good value.

Like any car though, if you keeps them tidy and serviced they'll go the distance.

Jess

We have a 1989 holden commodore calais vn can someone please tell us where the fuel pump is the car won't start how would I find out if it is the fuel cheerz.

I have had my VN 'S' Pack for the over the past ten years and it has been a fantastic and reliable car. When I bought the car I made a deal with it that I would keep it for ten years. I had bought it with 300+ thousand kilometers on it and recently feb 9, 2008 the speedo stopped at 656150kms. During this time I have replaced the coil pack with a vr/vs one, the transmission, radiator, crank angle sensor, harmonic balancer and all the normal things. I made sure to change the oil every 5,000 kms and service it every 10,000 It has spent the most of this time on lpg and it has not missed a beat. This car went hard and strong, but now time is up and a VR calais awaits to replace it.

"We have a 1989 holden commodore calais vn can someone please tell us where the fuel pump is the car won't start how would I find out if it is the fuel cheerz."

It should be on top of the fuel tank. You need to bring down the tank to reach to the fuel pump.