SECTION 0A - GENERAL INFORMATION

IMPORTANT:

Before performing any Service Operation or other procedure described in this Section, refer to Section

00 CAUTIONS AND NOTES for correct workshop practices with regard to safety and/or property damage.

1. GENERAL I NFORMATI O N

The VX Series Model is a development of the Holden VT Series Model and incorporates some minor cosmetic

changes, as well as various functional changes.

The following information briefly summarises these cosmetic and functional changes, with additional and more

detailed information provided in the relevant Sections of the VX Series Service Information.

• Compliance with Frontal Offset Side Impact Standards for occupant protection.

• Compliance with Side Impact Standards for occupant protection.

• New exterior colours.

• New grille inserts.

• New wheels and wheel trims (depended on Model variant).

• New and revised exterior ornamentation.

• Various new interior trim colours and materials (dependent on Model variant).

• Various exterior lighting changes and upgrades.

• New bumper facias.

• Deletion for the rear compartment lid lock cylinder – sedan only.

• A ‘soft top’ cup holder for Berlina and Calais Models.

• A ‘Flash Programmable’ Powertrain Control Module (PCM) for vehicles with a V6 engine.

• Traction control (ETC) for vehicles with manual transmissions.

• Revised engine cooling fans for vehicles with V6 supercharged engine (200 Watt, as per VT Series II

vehicles with a V6 engine).

• Dual rubber coupled propeller shaft and, on V6 manual transmission vehicles only, a differently designed

centre bearing area.

• Revised front stabiliser bar link design and minor changes to the front and rear spring / shock absorber

specifications.

• Minor change to the clutch master cylinder, including material and mounting.

• Upgraded audio system, to include a single CD player, for Executive, Acclaim and S Models.

• Steering wheel mounted remote audio controls for all Models.

• Changes to the automatic transmission coolers.

• Updated automatic transmission unit repair (re-written).

• Power antenna, full up and down, added as standard to Executive, Acclaim and S Models.

• Minor changes to the V6 engine inlet manifolds – to improve crankcase ventilation gas distribution.

NOTE: For additional General Information not covered in this Section, refer to Section 0A GENERAL

INFORMATION of the VT Series I and VT Series II Service Information. The information in these two Sections

should be read in conjunction with each other.

Techline

2. BASE MODEL AVAILABILITY AND EQUIPMENT

MODEL NAME COMMODORE

EXECUTIVE COMMODORE BERLINA CALAIS

BODY STYLE SEDAN WAGON SEDAN WAGON SEDAN

MODEL NUMBER 8VK69 8VK35 8VL69 8VL35 8VX69

NUMBER OF DOORS 4 5 4 5 4

ENGINE 3.8 LITRE PFI V6 3.8 LITRE PFI V6 3.8 LITRE PFI S/CHARGED

TRANSMISSION

TYPE 5 SPEED MANUAL 4 SPEED AUTOMATIC 4 SPEED AUTOMATIC

FINAL DRIVE RA TIO 3.08:1 3.08:1 3.07:1

TYRES P205/65R15 95H P205/65R15 95H 225/55R16 95V

WHEELS 6.0J x 15 Steel 6.0J x 15 Alloy 7.0J x 16 Alloy

3. POWERTRAIN COMBINATIONS

ENGINE TRANSMISSION

TYPE MODEL

AVAILABILITY FIRST GEAR

RATIO REAR AXLE RATIO

5 Speed Manual Executive 3.83:1 3.08:1

3.8 LITRE PFI 4 Speed

Automatic Executive

Berlina

Calais

3.06:1 3.08:1

3.8 LITRE PFI

SUPERCHARGED 4 Speed

Automatic Berlina

Calais 3.06:1 3.07:1

4 Speed

Automatic Executive

Berlina

Calais

3.06:1 3.08:1

5.7 LITRE PFI

(GEN III) 6 Speed Manual Executive 2.66:1 3.46:1

4. TRANSMISSION RATIOS

4 SPEED

AUTOMATIC

(V6 & V8 e ngine)

5 SPEED

MANUAL

(V6 engine only)

6 SPEED

MANUAL

(V8 engine only)

1ST 3.06:1 3.83:1 2.66:1

2ND 1.63:1 2.20:1 1.78:1

3RD 1.00:1 1.40:1 1.30:1

4TH 0.7:1 1.00:1 1.00:1

5TH - 0.81:1 0.74:1

6TH - - 0.50:1

REV 2.3:1 3.46:1 2.90:1

5. ENGINE DATA

ENGINE

DESIGNA TION 3.8 LITRE PFI 3.8 LITRE

SUPERCHARGED 5.7 LITRE PFI

(GEN III)

Piston

Displacement

Nom. - cm3

3791 3791 5667

Compression

Ratio 9.4:1 8.5:1 10.1:1

Number of

Cylinders 6 6 8

Bore x Stroke -

mm 96.5 X

86.3 96.5 X

86.3 99 X 92

Taxable H.P.

RAC OR SAE 34 34 48.6

Power kW

DIN @ RPM 152 kW @ 5200 171 kW @ 5200

PULP* 225 kW @ 5200

Torque Nm

DIN @ RPM 305 Nm @ 2800 375 Nm @ 3000

PULP* 460 Nm @ 4400

*PULP – Premium Unleaded Petrol

6. EXTERIOR DIME NSI O NS

SEDAN WAGON BODY

DIMENSIONS 8VK69 8VL69 8VX69 8VK35 8VL35

VEHICLE LENGTH 4891 4964 4964 5046 5084

VEHICLE WIDTH 1824 1824 1824 1824 1824

VEHICLE HEIGHT 1425 1425 1425 1521 1521

WHEELBASE 2788 2788 2788 2938 2938

OVERHANG – FRONT 933 972 972 933 972

OVERHANG REAR 1169 1203 1203 1174 1174

TREAD – FRONT 1569 1569 1569 1569 1569

TREAD - REAR 1587 1587 1587 1587 1587

7. VEHICLE WEIGHTS

SEDAN WAGON

VEHICLE

WEIGHTS 8VK69 8VL69 8VL69 8VK35 8VL35

KERB MASS – V6 MAN 1521 1577 - - -

KERB MASS - V6 AUTO 1549 1580 1636 1605 1642

KERB MASS – V6 S/C - 1609 1665 - -

KERB MASS – GENIII MAN 1597 - - 1651 -

KERB MASS – GENIII AUTO 1605 1638 1682 1658 1700

REAR AXLE LOAD – V6 1140 1140 1140 1240 1240

REAR AXLE LOAD - GENIII 1140 1140 1140 1240 1240

PAYLOAD (5 Pass. + Cargo) 408 408 480 480 408

NOTE: Figures are estimates only and measured in kg.

Payload figures must include luggage, goods, passengers, roof rack load and a full tank of fuel. If you are

towing, then the weight on the tow bar ball must also be included.

Maximum Rear Axle Load is the maximum for all conditions.

8. SERIAL NUMBERS

The complete vehicle and various com ponents of the vehicle are identified by num ber plates or numbers stamped

into the part. It is essential that when compiling warranty claims or product and field reports, the vehicle

identification number (VIN) is quoted in conjunction with the identification number of the component affected.

8.1 LOCATION OF IDENTIFICATION PLATES

Figure 0A-1 – Plate Location

Legend

1. Carpet flap

2. Vehicle identification number – under front seat

(Vehicles built from January 2001).

3. Body and Option identification plate - left hand side

of the front panel upper

4. Vehicle identification number plate – under the front

bumper, on the left hand side (Vehicles built prior to

January 2001)

5. Safety Compliance Plate – engine side of cockpit

module

6. Vehicle identification number plate – windscreen

8.2 SAFETY COMPLIANCE PLATE

The Safety Compliance Plate, located on the

engine compartment side of the cockpit module, is

stamped with the following information:

COMPLIANCE PLATE APPROVAL NUMBER.

VEHICLE CATEGORY CODE.

NAME APPEARING ON COMPLIANCE PLATE

APPROVAL.

MAKE/MODEL.

SEATING CAPACITY.

DATE OF MANUFACTURE (* Variable

information).

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (* Variable

information).

Figure 0A-2

8.3 BODY AND OPTION IDENTIFICATION PLATE

The body option and identification plate, located to

the left hand side of the front panel upper, is

stamped with the following information:

MODEL:

Combination of letters and numbers identifying the

body style, the mechanical pack and smart pack

options.

NOTE: A listing of Production Option numbers and

Smart Pack Option numbers, can be found by

referring to the latest spare parts information (Part

Finder) for the applicable model.

BODY:

Production build number; run in continuous

sequence regardless of model, body type and

series.

TRIM:

Trim combination.

PAINT:

Exterior paint material and colour identification.

BUILT:

The date of manufacture by calendar month and

year in which the body shell and powertrain are

conjoined and the vehicle is driven or moved from

the production line.

SUSP

Suspension option code identification, i.e. STD

(standard) or FE2 (sport).

ENGINE, TRANSMISSION AND AXLE

Identification option codes for specific engine,

transmission and rear axle.

A/C

Identification option code C60 is used for vehicles

fitted with air conditioning. C61 Identifies vehicles

fitted with Electronic Climate Control air

conditioning.

Figure 0A-3

8.4 FUEL CONSUMP TION LABEL

ADR 81/00 requires that from 1st January 2001, a

label similar to that shown in Fig.0A–4 is attached

to the windscreen of any new vehicle which is

displayed for sale.

The f uel c onsumption f igures quoted are the results

of tests carried out in accordance with the City

Cycle test procedure of AS2877 – 1986, an

Australian standard for fuel consumption testing.

Each vehicle is tested under identical conditions.

The results therefore enable a comparison to be

made between vehicles.

This label should be removed from the windscreen

immediately prior to the vehicle being delivered to

the owner.

Figure 0A-4

8.5 VEHICLE IDE NTIFICATION NUMBERING SYSTEM

There are two Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plates attached to VX Series Models. The location of these plates

is under the windscreen (viewed through the windscreen aperture) and under the front bumper on the left hand side.

Figure 0A-5

Typical VIN 6H8 VXX69A1L400016

Position No 1234567891011121314151617

WMI Production sequence No

Plant

Model Yea

Engine

Body Style

Luxury Level

Carline Series

PNo

16Continent: 6 = Australia

2HCountry: H = Australia WMI

38Manufacturer: 8 = Holden

4VCarline Series: VX

6XLuxury Level: K = Executive, L = Berlina, X = Calais

76 Body Style:

89 69 = 4 door sedan, 35 = Wagon

9AEngine type: A = 3.8 V6, R = S/C 3.8 V6, F = 5.7 V8

10 1Model Year : 1 = 2001

11 LPlant Code: L = Elizaberth

12 4

13 0

14 0Production

15 0Sequence No

16 1

17 6

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8.6 ENGINE SERIAL NUMBER

3.8 LITRE V6 ENGINE

The engine serial number for the 3.8 litre V6 and

V6 supercharged engines is stamped on a pad

located adjacent to the engine coolant outlet pipe,

refer Fig. 0A-6

Figure 0A-6

5.7 LITRE GEN III V8 ENGINE

The 5.7 litre Gen III V8 engine serial number is

stamped on a pad located adjacent to the engine

coolant outlet pipe, refer to Fig. 0A-7.

Figure 0A-7

8.7 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SERIAL NUMBER

The automatic transmission serial number is

stamped into a machined surface at the rear

underside of the transmission centre case, refer to

Fig. 0A-8.

1. Model Year (‘0’ = 2000 ‘1’ = 2001)

2. Model: V8 – 5.7 litre...................... HP

V6 – 3.8 litre ..................... HF

V6 Supercharged – 3.8 litre HN

3. Transmission Model Identifier (D = 4L60-E).

4. Julian Date (or day of year).

5. Shift Built (A, B, J = first shift; C, H, W = second

shift).

6. Individual Transmission Serial Number.

7. Transmission Identification Number Location.

Figure 0A-8

8.8 MANUAL TRANSMISSION SERIAL NUMBER

5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION

The Getrag 5 speed manual transmission serial

number is located on a self-adhesive label (1)

attached to the left side of the transmission front

cover.

This number provides coded information that could

be significant to parts interpretation and should be

referred to when ordering replacement parts.

NOTE: if this label is removed or becomes

unreadable, the s erial number is als o s tamped onto

the lower left hand side of the transmission front

cover (2).

Figure 0A-9

6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION

The Borg-W arner (Tremec) T56 six speed manual

transmission serial number is located on a self-

adhesive decal attached to the top of the

transmission case.

This number provides coded information that could

be significant to parts interpretation and should be

referred to when ordering replacement parts.

In addition, an identification tag is attached to the

transmission under an extension housing bolt, on

the right hand side.

Figure 0A-10

T20A002

Figure 0A-11

Techline

8.9 FINAL DRIVE ASSEMBLY IDENTIFICATION

An identification tag is adhered to the final drive

assembly to the RHS of the carrier housing, refer to

Fig. 0A-12. T he tag carries the Holden part number for

the assembly, the final drive ratio and the serial

number of the assembly.

Figure 0A-12

9. ADDI TIONAL GENERAL I NFORMATION

9.1 ELE CTRICAL TRANSIENTS AND RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE

Electronic c ircuits are us ed in VX Series Models to perform a num ber of f unctions ass ociated with electronic cruis e

control, electr onic engine and trans miss ion contr ol system s etc. T hes e c irc uits c an be damaged or malf unc tion as a

result of electrical transients or excessive radio frequency (RF) radiation.

ELECTRICAL TRANSIENTS

Electrical transients are high voltage spikes, produced by the sudden switching or interruption of electric currents.

Older s tyle tim ing lights and batter y chargers can pr oduc e ser ious tr ans ients, hence, it is important to us e only good

quality equipment suitable for use with electronic systems.

It is also good practice to ensure that the battery is disconnected before using a battery charger.

Indiscriminate fitting of solenoids, indicators or relays can also cause transients.

RADIO FREQUENCY INTERFERENCE

One of the chief sources of RF interference is the ignition system. Other sources include CB radio and radio

telephones. The following are normally used to suppress RF interference.

• Resistors eg. High Tension Cables and Connectors.

• Capacitors and Choke Coils.

• Metal Braid for screening leads or suppression covers made from conductive material for screening equipment.

To prevent damage to equipment:

Do not replace interference suppressed high tension ignition cables or connectors with unsuppressed types.

Do not remove or reposition interference suppression filters or capacitors.

Figure 0A-13

A. Music

B. Signal from Radio Station

C. Internal Interference

D. External Interference

1. Antenna Cable

2. Cable Core

3. Cable Braid

4. Body

9.2 STATIC ELECTRICITY

Care should be exercised when handling electronic equipment eg. the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), to avoid

touching the terminals unnecessarily. Static electricity, which is present on every person, can cause damage to

some electronic components.

9.3 PUSH OR TOW STARTING

Do not push or tow start VX Series vehicles. Push or tow starting can result in un-burnt fuel passing through the

exhaust to the catalytic converter, causing damage to the converter.

10. CONSOLIDATED TOOL LIST

Special Ser vice Tools for VX Ser ies Models are the sam e as those used on VT Series Models and are as detailed

in Section 0A GENERAL INFORMATION of the VT Series I and VT Series II Service Information. It should be

noted that the lists in these two Sections should be read in conjunction with one another.