Comments on: Holden VE Commodore Battery Drain Issue Resolution

By: John D

John D — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:24:48 +0000

Wow, Chris that is interesting. So you drove with lights in “Manual” position a lot, so you could have them on in the daytime? Me too. I also had a flat battery some mornings when I went to the car. (I have a 2010 Sportswagon)

By: John D

John D — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:09:02 +0000

Yeh Nick, its wierd. The C’dore headlights turn themselves off after I leave the car, “Auto” or “Manual”. But about once per month I would come out to the car in the morning and the battery would be flat. Not even enough zap to open the doors. I am a bit surprized a modern car (Territory) does not have a lights-on warning buzzer. Maybe Ford Aust should have spent money on warning buzzers instead of the car adverts!!!! I remember adding a DickSmith buzzer to my old cars when I was a poor student….it saved me a few times.

By: Nick Dalziel

Nick Dalziel — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 13:08:40 +0000

Well your lights don’t necessarily turn off by themselves if left in manual once you turn off the car. Not sure if it’s the same in Commodroes but I don’t get any warning in my Territory if you leave the lights on in manual and turn the car off.

By: John D

John D — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:17:22 +0000

Hi, I have a 2010 Berlina Sportswagon, and I think I have fixed my flat battery problem. I like to travel with headlights on in the daytime, and so used to leave the lightswitch in manual, (not Auto). And sometimes I would come out in the mornings and the battery would be dead flat. So now I leave the lightswitch in “Auto” and have not had a flat battery since. Has anyone else found this solution????

By: Shayne Nina

Shayne Nina — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:28:36 +0000

hi i have a few questions as to what i should do, my 2007 ve omega has been having troubles with the cd player, ejects cd,s even if there isnt one in there comes up with mechanism error, even when the air conditioning wasnt on it is still running as though it is on and the sterio is completley off with nothing on the screen and even turing the car on and then off was not turning back on, then in the last week ive had to call RAC 3 times as my car would not start and required a jump start. i took my car to a holden dealer closest to me but not the one i purchased my car from and they stated somehow my rubber seals “might” be loose and water has damaged the wiring? it will cost me $1000 to fix. after researching online im not happy that what theyve told me is true. i believe this is a common fault with the model and should be fixed under my warranty? any advice? cheers

By: Alan Murray

Alan Murray — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:10:53 +0000

ok so how do you get into your car when the battery is flat and the car is locked…. the key will not open the car at all!!!!!!

By: Aaron

Aaron — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 03:20:34 +0000

John, you did this when the battery was assumedly flat and the car could then start?

I hadn’t had the problem with the battery for nearly 3 years and then used the rear 12v socket to blow up a pool toy for a couple of minutes and next morning car wouldn’t start. Jump started the car and it has been fine since.

My VE Calais V is a glitch master. auto drivers window goes up and down again when trying to put up, nav screen randomly crashes and car needs a restart to reboot it, car also has gone into a safety mode that kills power to all electronics and automatically selects 2nd gear and allows you to limp it home with a warning light (took it to the dealer the next morning after it started Ok and they advised that it has rebooted by otself and was Ok now)

Did manage to get a new transmission put in 1 month before warranty expiry after my third complaint letter suggested I would never buy another Holden, my company would never buy another Holden and I would tell all my friends to never buy another Holden. I nearly fell over when Holden rang and advised me they would fix it. It only took 3 years of complaining.

Otherwise it is a good car, I am guessing they have ironed out all the problems and series 2 should be just about perfect.

By: john

john — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 11:56:01 +0000

the flat battery on ve comms i found was assosiated with the hazard switch. turning the hazard on then off curred the problem

By: Timothy

Timothy — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:34:55 +0000

Had my V8 Calais International new from Nov 07 and battery issues have not been resolved.Have had 2 new battery replacements and all the other “so called” fixes offered to no avail. Cannot leave radio on when engine off or battery drains and car will not start. Some days I have had Holden assit to me 3 times.Back to Holden I go and leave the car overnight ,go back next morning and guess what told nothing could be found.I am about to purchase a new car will not be a crappy Holdentogether.Worst car I have had, who needs this problem.I asked for a new car to replace this one ,funny thing I was just ignored.I say bring in the “LEMON” laws like in the states where if an issue cannot be resolved after 3 visits to the dealer with the same issue the car is replaced at no cost to the owner.Holden have done nothing for me to resolve this issue and now as the car is out of warranty the dealer is trying to tell me any issues with this problem again I will be charged for.Yeah right lets see how the ACCC deals with this one.You can only be reasonable about a problem for so long.Maybe if I park the car across their service drive way and inconvenience them every morning something will get done.

By: David

David — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:04:11 +0000

06 VE Calais – Will not start 1 hour after being driven. Numerous fixes have been unsuccessful. Dealership has said that there is nothing wrong with it, but it didn’t start after being serviced last time. Dealership is now saying they can’t fix it & I should buy the biggest battery that will fit. This & other faults (suspension, sound system, drivers seat etc) were not fixed during warranty period but verbal assurance was given that they would be fixed with no charge under warranty. After warranty, I was charged a percentage of the repair cost. Now it has a small leak somewhere behind the dash & the insulation is going moldy – have to drive with the windows down.